Well i went out and did it...

[Oakley]

Brought myself a 100g tank and cabinet :)

here are the things that i brought with the tank...

Fluval 404, 2x tronic 200w heaters, 2x 4ft powerglow 40w , 1 x 3ft aqua glow 30w, 1x 3ft blue moon 30w, 50kg washed sand, digital temp gauge,

my question is i guess, is that enough filtration,heating and lighting? and would it be wise to add some floss into the first compartment in the 404 followed by the carbon then the round things (sorry cant remember the name of them, bio somthing i think)

[Captain Hook]

I think they are called bio balls. You picked a nice selection of lights in terms of color they will make your tank. The powerglos are really white, aqua glos more yellow. I think they will mix nicely. However, if you are planning on growing plants I would recommend some changes. You can probably find bulbs much cheaper at your local hardware store first of all. The powerglos are good for plants but you can also get anything in the 5500K - 8500 K range for cheaper at hardware stores.

You definitely have enough heating. How long is your tank? You have some weird lights and I can't figure out how it works. Do you room for all of those bulbs over the tank? If you can fit all of them you will have a good amount of light (1 wpg on a large tank isn't bad). I think you have enough filtration but not sure.

By the way, congratulations on the new tank. I am hoping to get a real large soon too.

[125gJoe]

Just my opinion....

Add a Rena Filstar xP-3 and you will have excellent filtration. Alternate filter cleanings.. 100g is a nice sized tank! :)

[blitzen25bm]

i would add a hang on filter unless you want the tank really close to the wall otherwise another smaller canister or atleast put a prefilter on the 404- i just hate canister maintence.

[Oakley]

Thanks for the replies :)

The tank is 5ft long, but is tall and deep, looks quite an unusual shape to me.

have plenty of room for all the lights, infact i would be able to fit another 2 or so in there. The moonlight is going right at the front and has a reflector on it pointing backwards.

Think i will take your advice on another small filter, i was kinda thinking down those lines anyway.

[Tyler718]

Originally posted by Oakley
Think i will take your advice on another small filter, i was kinda thinking down those lines anyway.

My 150g is setup just like 125gJoe said. IMHO, the advantage of adding the Filstar is that you can adjust the flow of the water coming out of the filter.

If you do decide on a HOB, I would go with an AC 300 or 500 using only 2 sponges in it for mechanical filtration.


Dave

[Oakley]

So would the HOB act as the intake for the 404?
Not too sure how i would set it up as this is the first time i have had an external filter and also the first time for a big tank also.

i guess that would take some of the cleaning hassle out of the 404 as most of the detris would be in the HOB, is that what you guys are talking about?

Thanks in advance

[viboy]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Oakley
So would the HOB act as the intake for the 404?

No, the HOB would just act as a secondary filter. If you go the AC route I would go with an AC500.

i guess that would take some of the cleaning hassle out of the 404 as most of the detris would be in the HOB, is that what you guys are talking about?

Cleaning on the 404 can be helped by adding a prefilter. Just pick up a sponge for an AC Mini and cut a hole in it so that you can fit it over the intake of the 404. Just rinse it out everytime you do a water change.[B]No, the HOB would just act as a secondary filter. If you go the AC route I would go with an AC500.

[travelinman1969]

If you want to add a HOB you may want to consider a Tetra-Tec PF500. I have one on my 150 and the great thing with it is it has an integrated heater you can by for it. Then you can get rid of the heaters and give your tank a better appearance. I have had a lot of good luck with mine.

I also have a 404 and I use it strictly as a bio filter. I have the bio-rocks in the bottom, ceramic rocks in the 2nd tray, bio-foam (just cut up foam blocks) in the 3rd and floss in the top to help polish the water. Once a month I clean the foam pre-filter pads and replace the floss. I also clean 1 tray, meaning this month it is time to clean the foam blocks. Next month the bio-rocks the next month the ceramic rocks, then I start all over again. You don't want to clean them all at once. If you plan to use it as a multiple purpose cleaner you should put the carbon in the bottom, bio-rocks in the 2nd and 3rd trays and floss in the top. Make sure you get some bags to contain the carbon so it's not free floating.

I also have a Penguin 330 on my tank.

[fishdude]

maybe the penguin 330 biowheell???????

[Oakley]

wow thanks guys, as always loads of help :)
I will take a look down my lfs as soon as i catch a long enough break from my work :)