What is the best filter for a 150 gal?

[ann6015]

I am getting my first 150 gal aquarium tomorrow. I have always had 55 gals. I just wanted to know what is the best filter for a 150 gal. It isn't drilled. I would appreciate any feedback.
:huh:

[toddnbecka]

That depends on whether you prefer hob's or canister filters. Personally, I set up filtration according to the critters I'm stocking. It would be helpful to have an idea of how you'll set the tank up (planted, open-water for active swimmers, African cichlids and rocks, etc.).

[uacich12]

I am getting my first 150 gal aquarium tomorrow. I have always had 55 gals. I just wanted to know what is the best filter for a 150 gal. It isn't drilled. I would appreciate any feedback.
:huh:
The gen rule of thumb is 2x's the filtration as is what the gl size is i.e. 150gl you want min. 300gph of "total filtration", some fish can take 4-5x's or more, so it really depends on what you have. And if you "pack" a tank then you really need to up the filtration. Evaluate your fish set up then decide do you go w/ a couple CAN's ( Fluval 405's, Rena xp4's, Eheim pro's ) couple PwrFltr's ( Whisper 60's, AquaClear 428(110's) & an in tank filter w/ some additional PwrHd's ( 4-6 AquaClear 50's ). Possiblities are all most endless, as to your Bank account only you know. I would assume w/ a 150gl you knew this was comin though right:)

The Fulval FX5 is a computerized "microprocessor" filter, like the Eheim Pro's that has an adjustable flow rate & other "bell's & whistle's" :) most of the time LFS recommend them to 200-400gl if they're brave enough to even carry them:( but you can def use them for a 150 for sure. I run 1 FX5 on a 75gl (in addition to a total of 8 other type's of filtration on this tank) if your fish can hang, then you can NEVER HAVE TO MUCH GOOD FILTRATION. I live to be able to provide 3-5x's or more gph of filtration than the tank size i.e. my 75gl has a total of 1600gph of filtration:) And my African CICH's love it:) Swim or Die is 1 of my mottoes. Between flow & aeration most of my tank's are like surf/braker zone's. Not like their natural habitat's, but they do great w/ it & this set up allow's for greater bioload's. I don't employ this method w/ my Angle's:)

Keep us up to date on what you go w/ & where you get it from. Sure you know, but do not buy w/ out chking online, example's ( http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/NavResults.cfm?N=2004+22777 CAN filter's), ( http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/NavResults.cfm?N=2004+113040 PwrHd's) & (http://www.aquariumsuppliesforless.com/ FX5) among other site's.
Sorry if that was TMI, I just alway's try to keep the big pic in mind:)
Good Luck:)

[Rbishop]

Everyone will have an idea of what they prefer based on their experience and some will just mention what they have heard.

I too, like the over filtration as has been mentioned, but in some cases the flow can cause issues with certain fish and/or plants.

Some people find HOB easier to maintain than canisters and some prefer canisters.

On a big tank like you are talking about, I would be running two large canisters, and RUGF with full plates. Down the road, I'd add a sump.

I happen to prefer MAG 350s, and most on here will mention repeatedly the normal line up of Rena, Fluval, Eheim and others. All pretty much similar, bells and whistles.

[Shocker6966]

I run a 150 long with custom filtration. At the moment, I have only one running at about 300 gph over 1.5 gallons of media. It's a wet/dry setup that sits on top of the tank, inside the canopy and simply circulates water over the wet/dry media and directly back into the tank. On the other end of the tank, which is nearly finished construction and waiting on the powerhead to run it, is a similar design where I've added a significant amount of additional filtration via a HOB style basket that feeds from the bottom and overflows on to the drip trays for the wet/dry media. Again, this one flows directly back into the tank. The one that is running makes less noise than the Aquaclears that I run on my other tanks and provides a staggering amount of filtration in a small, quiet, and cheap package. I suspect by virtue of design and volume, the next model will provide even more.

[jkost]

i use a combo of hang on back and canisters. for example my 125 i have 2 ac110s and a mag 350. i use mine i little differently than most,the acs are just bio.a combo of bio-max and pot scrubbers.the mag 350 is just mechanical and water polishing.works vary well. it would really depend on what your going to keep.mine is a piranha tank.

[Marinemom]

I would go with two canister filters, one on each side accompanied by a good HOB such as an aquacleat 110/500. for the canisters i perfer the eheims but there are others out there that are just as good.

Marinemom

[ann6015]

Thanks for all the good advice. I plan on putting my 3 angels, 4 blood parrots, 3 dwarf gourmis, 3 corys, and 1 small pleco in it with fake plants (for now) and a few pieces of driftwood. Again, thanks.

[legendaryfrog]

i would advise buying a canister (like an eheim 2217), and an Emperor 400 - or 2.

[toddnbecka]

I have a 55 set up with 2 Aquaclear 110 hob's running the UG filter plates. The arrangement works quite well, since nothing accumulates under the plates, ending up instead in the sponge blocks. They get squeezed/rinsed out when I siphon the gravel/do partial water changes. The water is always crystal clear, and waste doesn't build up in the gravel. I have a similar arrangement in a 38, though it has larger gravel, about pea-size. That tank never has any significant amount of debris in the gravel, it almost all ends up in the filter.

[J double R]

i use an eheim pro II 2026 and an emperor 400 on my 75. i would recommend an eheim pro III 2080 and one or two emperor 400's.