Need help with canister filter for 75 gallon.

[jarrodaden]

So I am thinking of moving into a bigger tank (75 gallon). I figure a good filter or sump is probably one of the most important components on any tank. I have already decided against a sump. That said, I would appreciate any feedback on which ones are better and why. It would also be helpful to know which brands I might want to stay away from. Finally, does anyone have any input on using a canister with an in-line heater vs. put heater(s) in the tank. Obviously, the tank would look nicer but how do those work and are they worth the extra cash?

[rocker92]

depending upon how heavily stocked the tank is, i would either go with a marineland C-360 or C-530.

[jarrodaden]

That bring up another question. How does one know how many GPH are needed for a given tank. Is it a certain number of tank volumes per hour?

[JamieB]

:clap:Rena xp3 can handle up to 125gal,quiet,efficient,easy to clean!:bowing:

[mgarrido]

Jarrod, first let us know what you wanna put in your tank?
Second I would recomend 2 canisters instead of one. With 2 you can handle more fish and schedule your maintenance without disturb your bioload. I have my 72g planted with one eheim 2217 and 1 Rena xp3 and my water is always crystal clear. Wet/dry filtration is the best but is a little bit noise. For heater... Hydor eth200 if you want a show tank!!! Since you are in Houston you can visit me and take a look of all my tanks (7 in total)

[jarrodaden]

Jarrod, first let us know what you wanna put in your tank?
Second I would recomend 2 canisters instead of one. With 2 you can handle more fish and schedule your maintenance without disturb your bioload. I have my 72g planted with one eheim 2217 and 1 Rena xp3 and my water is always crystal clear. Wet/dry filtration is the best but is a little bit noise. For heater... Hydor eth200 if you want a show tank!!! Since you are in Houston you can visit me and take a look of all my tanks (7 in total)

I guess I want to get equipment that would be fairly versatile. In other words, I don't want to buy for a specific stocking and then be stuck with that. I assume that an oversized filter (within reason) isn't a bad thing, right?

With regard to stock, I don't really have any idea right now. I will definitely consult with all of you when I get to that point so that I don't over stock. I basically want a larger, nicer, aquarium with the ability to put plants, some larger fish, and a little more variety. The 15 gallon that I am in now is somewhat restrictive.

[Aphotic Phoenix]

All of the major canister filter makers have their advocates and detractors. Do as much research as you can, including how to do proper maintenance on them, before making that hefty investment. ~_^

The turnover rate you'll want will be somewhat dependent on what you decide to keep, and it's expensive getting a good GPH rate on such a large tank! First of all, I'd avise ignoring whatever size tank the manufactor says it's good for. The pump GPH ratings are going to be through an empty filter (i.e. no media to slow the water down), and therefore should be reduced by 1/4 to 1/2. So if you went with a single RENA...I'd get an XP4 instead of the XP3. The turnover rate you will need will also depend somewhat on what you want to keep. I'd try for at least 4-5 X volume per hour for smaller schooling fish, while an overstocked Mbuna tank would need something much higher. Really though, it is a good idea to go for two. We're planning on using an Eheim 2028, and 2217 + powerheads on our 75 gal planted.

In-line heaters cost about $20 more than the types that sit in the tank. Basically they are directly plumbed into the output hoses of your cannister filters which helps spread the heat around the tank a bit faster, but yeah the main difference is that they are stashed out of view.

[enthusiast]

I use a fluval canister filter on my 75 gal planted tank. it worked great for the first year or so but now it seems every month it ends up barely putting out any water and I have to tear it all apart to clean it out, which you should have monthly maintenance on it like that but it was nice skipping a month here and there if you couldnt get to it. Now if i skip a month my fish are going without any filtration

[DrgRcr]

Peronally, I would go with a canister and an HOB. This combo seems to provide plenty of bio and mechanical filtration. As far as canisters go, there are plenty of good options. Eheim, Fluval, Rena, as said before are all good options. I have a PennPlax Cascade 1200 on my 72g, and although some don't like it, IMO it does a good job. And if you look around online, you can get it fairly cheap. As far as HOB's, Penguins, Emperors, or AquaClears's will do the job well. I have a Penguin on my 72 with customized media(not the cartridges) and an AC on my 125 and both do a very good job. Good luck.

[angyles]

I also run both a canister and an HOB and I'm very happy with that. The only way you can over-filter is if the filters you have crate so much water movement, your fish cna't handle it. Many canisters have flow control on them though, so it can be reduced as needed. What I run is a Cascade 1000 and a Aquaclear 500 on my 150G. Some would say I'm underfiltered, but honestly it's never been a problem. I do plan to eventually add another Cascade 1000 onto the other end. I went with the cascade because it was a reasonable price, one of the best LFS in my area uses it for their entire shop and has decided to carry and warrenty it exclusively, and it's a very simple design. I've never tried any of the other, much more expensive, brands and I doubt I will.

[jarrodaden]

Peronally, I would go with a canister and an HOB. This combo seems to provide plenty of bio and mechanical filtration. As far as canisters go, there are plenty of good options. Eheim, Fluval, Rena, as said before are all good options. I have a PennPlax Cascade 1200 on my 72g, and although some don't like it, IMO it does a good job. And if you look around online, you can get it fairly cheap. As far as HOB's, Penguins, Emperors, or AquaClears's will do the job well. I have a Penguin on my 72 with customized media(not the cartridges) and an AC on my 125 and both do a very good job. Good luck.

You said canister and HOB. What is HOB?

[angyles]

hang on back

[krytan]

You said canister and HOB. What is HOB?
Hang on back filter.

[Jadie.Glitch]

I also run both a canister and an HOB and I'm very happy with that. The only way you can over-filter is if the filters you have crate so much water movement, your fish cna't handle it. Many canisters have flow control on them though, so it can be reduced as needed. What I run is a Cascade 1000 and a Aquaclear 500 on my 150G. Some would say I'm underfiltered, but honestly it's never been a problem. I do plan to eventually add another Cascade 1000 onto the other end. I went with the cascade because it was a reasonable price, one of the best LFS in my area uses it for their entire shop and has decided to carry and warrenty it exclusively, and it's a very simple design. I've never tried any of the other, much more expensive, brands and I doubt I will.

I'm researching filtration for a 75 gallon as well. I noticed that you have two canister filters (Cascade 1000 & Aquaclear 500). Would it make sense for me to just go a step above or so on the Cascade to the Cascade 1200 or 1500 instead of getting two completely separate filters? It would be more cost effective that way. Is there a reason why two are generally used instead of a single larger one?

[angyles]

the aquaclear 500 is a HOB. It's been renumbered though. I think it's now the 100 and my 200 is now a 20. or something like that :-)

Part of the reason I like to have multiple filters on a large tank is to make sure all the areas are covered. You don't want to have dead areas (no water movement) if you can help it. With both heaters and filters, I usually go with 2 of each and distribute the load between them.

[DrgRcr]

2 reasons seem to dominate. 1 is for redundancy, if one filters malfunctions for some reason, you have a backup. The second is that some filter types perform certain duties better than others. From what I've read in many places, the canisters seem to excel at bio-filtration, while the HOB's do well at mechanical filtration. So you are getting the best of both worlds, so to speak. No to say that either doesn't do both types of filtering, just one better than the other. HTH.

[Jadie.Glitch]

Ooh, lol. Okay, I understand now. Thank you ^_^.

[Star_Rider]

often over looked in tank is 'dead spots'

with 2 filters you help to reduce dead spots in the tank. power heads also help with flow to reduce dead zones in the tank.
your decor. plants, driftwood etc will create these dead spots..

my 75 has a sump with 1200 gph pump I reduce dead spots with power head but an seriously considering adding another filter (canister)

this tank has Discus and flow is not a real issue as driftwood and plants seem to create havens for them

[Jspigs]

Be sure to fishless cycle your tank/filter.

[THE V]

If you want a good mechanical filtration in a canister instead of a HOB, the Marineland Magnum 350 is the best. I run a Mag 350 and a C-360 on my 125 gallon goldfish tank. The combo does a really good job with my little poopers. I have goldfish and they like the bubbles so I have a bubble wand to increase the circulation.

[bushwhacker]

on my 75 i run a rena xp3 canister and an emporer 400 hob... tanks pretty well stocked and planted... lol i should mention there are 6 angels in that tank also but they are a bit camera shy
http://i338.photobucket.com/albums/n438/bushwhacker_01/09-26-09005.jpg