90g Canister filter?

[thefisherman]

Originally Posted by Oxl

Eheim 2217 is the way to go, starting out just replace the kix medium with seachem matrix which is 2-3 times more effective giving you the equivalent of about 25 gallons worth of bio balls in a small low power package. I'd pair it with an Aquaclear 70 or 110 hob for surface agitation.

i actually run an
- eshoppes wet/dry for primary bio-filteration,
- a 2217 loaded with blue foam for
mechanical filtration/polishing,
- an AC110 hob with foam/floss for mechanical filtration/polishing/surface agitation,
- an AC70 powerhead w/ micron filter for current and fine filtering
- and a Maxijet 1200 for flow/circulation for my overstocked 70g african cichlid tank lol






- thefisherman

[Bubba_Shrimp]

Originally Posted by Crow

Ok question...

Why are so many people listing more then one on there systems? Are they not rated correctly? Meaning if a canister is rated for "up to" 90g are they not able to handle a 90g planted tank?

Thanks,
Crow

One could never have enough filtration...

Many suggest having a filter with 4-5 times GPH of your aquarium size.
More filters: more media, more bacteria, ability to support larger stock and redundancy (one goes bad, second is still up and running).

I'm sure there are tons of other pros of having multiple filters!

Edit: Also, I'd suggest to invest in good UPS. Power goes off for an hour or so, your filter keeps running...

[Crow]

I already have a generator for my reef tank, so I'm good there, thanks for the reply!

[thefisherman]

Originally Posted by Crow

I already have a generator for my reef tank, so I'm good there, thanks for the reply!

bro if you can keep a SW reef then FW should be cake for you. you probabbly know the answer to your question already, are you doing a tpt survey? :O


- thefisherman

[Crow]

Originally Posted by thefisherman

bro if you can keep a SW reef then FW should be cake for you. you probabbly know the answer to your question already, are you doing a tpt survey? :O


- thefisherman

Lmao, naw.
Just making sure I do things correctly the first time. I had a lot of years screwing up in saltwater. (Still do)

[thefisherman]

Originally Posted by Crow

Lmao, naw.
Just making sure I do things correctly the first time. I had a lot of years screwing up in saltwater. (Still do)

lol i'm still screwin up, in general :P

all kidding aside tho, i can't say enough about sump systems. if you got the space and the budget its a no brainer.

i wouldn't go with anything less than a 2217 for the 90 tho. even then i feel you would want another canister or means of filtration.

i like to keep my cichlids fat round and
thick... i feed them 3-4x day. so not only are they overstocked but they are total poop factories! for a fish only tank, i need all the filtration i can get for my 75g.






- thefisherman

[DogFish]

Originally Posted by Crow

Ok question...

Why are so many people listing more then one on there systems? Are they not rated correctly? Meaning if a canister is rated for "up to" 90g are they not able to handle a 90g planted tank?

Thanks,
Crow

My thoughts on filtration:

Filtration's job is to buy you time between water changes.

Remember GPH is typically calculated using clean or no filter media.

One can NOT have more/larger bacterial colony than food source to feed it.

5-10Xs water water turn over rates is important in heavily stocked Cichlid or Gold fish tanks, filtration wise, that level is just not needed in tank that is full of plants and a few fish/shrimp.

A heavily planted tank is a better filter, than the filter is.

The water flow from the filter is arguably more important the filtration that unit provides.

Have two filters running so one always has a back-up has merit. I feel buying a very good quality filter that won't fail has more merit.

In larger footprint tanks 48"+ I feel a filter and a circulation pump or air stone is just as effective as two filters.

Filters that are hard to clean...don't get cleaned. (or certainly not often enough)

[Oxl]

Wow thefisherman you have pretty much every filtration option all on one tank, must have great water quality. I agree that sump systems are the best filtration method however one has to be able to put up with some sound, even the quietest wet/dry is not silent like a seasoned canister or hob is.

Having backup filtration is not only for if one fails but also prevents a mini cycle when you perform a deep cleaning of one of your filtration devices.

[exv152]

Ok question...

Why are so many people listing more then one on there systems? Are they not rated correctly? Meaning if a canister is rated for "up to" 90g are they not able to handle a 90g planted tank?

Thanks,
Crow

Having two filters is also good for maintenance reasons. I alternate between cleaning canisters, that way I always have a mature filter running no matter what.

[Crow]

I might of found a good deal on a used Fluval 405, what ya think?

[killswitch]

I have a 90g with a Eheim 2217 on one corner and a Fluval 305 on the other. Eheim is king for bio filtration but Fluval much easier for maintenance and setting up.

You might be able to get away with the Fluval 405 filled with Matrix and a powerhead in-tank so you dont get dead spots..

[chibikaie]

Originally Posted by thefisherman

i actually run an
- eshoppes wet/dry for primary bio-filtration,
- a 2217 loaded with blue foam for
mechanical filtration/polishing,
- an AC110 hob with foam/floss for mechanical filtration/polishing/surface agitation,
- an AC70 powerhead w/ micron filter for current and fine filtering
- and a Maxijet 1200 for flow/circulation for my overstocked 70g african cichlid tank lol

- thefisherman

Hot dang that's a lot of filtration! If the tank isn't overstocked, it doesn't need all that, does it?

[thefisherman]

Originally Posted by chibikaie

Hot dang that's a lot of filtration! If the tank isn't overstocked, it doesn't need all that, does it?

you know what, at first i thought it was overkill and i was just squandering mu $$$. but i truly have a ridiculous bioload (to the point that it might piss people off as they may think i'm being irresponsible) but i've realized its worth it and i made the right desicion.

in a fish only system and with africans they make goldfish look totally constipated...cuz man do they poop a lot!

i do 30% wc weekly and use the ole gravel vac for poop piles... AND i still have to replace the floss on my quikfliter and AC110 every other week. (and i do not overfeed) my levels have been solid since the start.

pH 7.9-8.0
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate <1

and for those of you who understand africans and how big some get, i have plans for a much larger tank in the future and plan to move them when its time. fish first!


- thefisherman

[Crow]

What do you all think of a Fluval FX5 for this setup?
I think I might have scored one for $100, Seller states, it was only used for 6 months, and is in great working order, and all parts included..

[ronaldvalente]

I have used the following
- Fluval 204
- Fluval 305
- Fluval 306
- Fluval G6
- Eheim 2217

I can say hands down, aside from "ease of maintenance" the Eheim filter wins every time. That said, the maintenance of the Eheim is few and far between compared to any of the Fluvals. By far my worst experiences have been with the Fluval G6.

Eheim all the way!