Best Filtration for 100 Gallon Frsh Water?

[thefish]

I have had 2 small 30-gallon tanks for a few years now. I have always used Emperor 280 power filters on these. I just got a 100 gallon tank I have 2 heaters for it a 300W and a 150W. I also have one extra Emperor 280 I can put on it. My question is what would be good filtration for my new tank? Would 2 Emperor 280 filters be good? Or should I get a canister filter? Or what?

[rus]

what kind of fish and stocking level are you wanting to keep? are you going to be willing to break down the canister monthly or more or do you just want to replace throw-away filter cartridges?

[thefish]

I want to keep 6-7 large cichlids in this tank. As far as filtration goes I would like to get rid of throw-away filter cartridges, but it is not a must. I am willing to clean a canister once a month. Is a Magnum 350 canister any good? What about an Ocean clear canister? Most of all I just want good filtration to keep my water nice and clean.

P.S.
Do you think one 300 watt and one 150 watt heater is enough to keep the tank warm?

[rus]

for 6-7 large cichlids i recomend 2 emperor 400's and a fluval 404 or rena filstar xp3. ehiems are the best though, if you have the extra cash get an eheim. the magnums are good for mechanical filtration but lack in the most important filter process which is biological filtration. with 6-7 large cichlid your bio load will be high. (not to mention aggression depending on choice of cichlids) i have no exp. with Ocean clear canisters. and your heaters will be fine.

[rus]

you said you would like to get rid of the throw aways. maybe instead of emperors you would like the aqua clear 500's better you just need to clean out the filter sponges on those. so maybe 2-3 ac 500's and a canister

[Tyler718]

I agree with rus. I would go with a Fluval 404 or Filstar xp3. I have both. I like both a lot. But if you have the extra cash go with an Eheim. I never have though because these do everything that I expect out of a canister.

I would use one of the canisters with AC 500. That would be more than enough filtration.

For heaters you should be fine. Most people go with the 4-5 watts per gallon.

Good luck!!:)

[thefish]

What about a Fluidized bed filter are these any good? Or would a Raindow Lifegurad system (http://www.petsolutions.com/cgi-bin/cgipagls?l=13&g=101814) consisting of a Double Heater, Single Mechanical, single Chem, and 740GPH pump be good?

[goldfish freak]

If you have and don't mind spending the money Iwould also suggest an Eheim canister I own 2 Eheim classics and I think they are great filters. I would suggest that you go with and Eheim classic 2217 or a Eheim Pro II 2028 and Aqua clear 500 . This would be a good combo of a canister and a H.O.B filter.

[thefish]

I just noticed there is a wet/dry Eheim canister called the 2227 is this any good?

[rus]

Originally posted by thefish
What about a Fluidized bed filter are these any good? Or would a Raindow Lifegurad system (http://www.petsolutions.com/cgi-bin/cgipagls?l=13&g=101814) consisting of a Double Heater, Single Mechanical, single Chem, and 740GPH pump be good?
i have never used a Fluidized bed filter but i am under the understanding that they are very high capasity biological filters. maybe some one here that is using or has used one could chime in on this. but i think they are used with low flow rates. under 300 gal/hour

[Orbitorly]

I've used a Fluidized bed filter, and still have it. Mine hooks up to a power head. It sucked wated into it goes all the way down to the bottown and then the water is released, which it filters threw the sand and comes out the top. Fluidized bed filter are are perfect places for bactiria to grow, but it's not a true filter. By the way mine is a Quik Sand filter.





Is a Magnum 350 canister any good

Yes they are great filters, also Eheim are great filters but are expensive. I dono it realy matters what you want and how much money you have, 2 Emperor 400's will cost $70 something (36.00) a piece. I recently bought a Vortex Freedom filter from big al's haven't had time to set it up tho.

[superstein61]

With that size tank, and that bio-load, I would go with a Wet/Dry sump setup. This will provide excellent biological filtration.

Throw your heaters in the sump as well, keep your tank nice and neat.

[thefish]

My tank is a 100 Gallon TruVu acrylic tank; the 2 openings on the back are not big enough for the emperor 400 but will easily fit my emperor 280.

Here is what I am currently thinking I will get:

1 Emperor 280 (so I will have 2)
1 Fluval 404
1 48" strip light (my lights are not good enough)

Total cost 167.97 + shipping

Do you think this would be a good combo? Or Is the Filstar xP3 better than the Fluval?

P.S.

I want to stay under $200 on this.

[Orbitorly]

Magnum 350:D

[thefish]

Originally posted by superstein61
With that size tank, and that bio-load, I would go with a Wet/Dry sump setup. This will provide excellent biological filtration.

Throw your heaters in the sump as well, keep your tank nice and neat.

I was thinking that same thing, but how do you hook up a sump setup? My local fish store said you must drill a hole in the bottom of your tank... is this the only way? Or could you use 2 water pumps, one pulling water out of the tank one pumping it back in?

[bert]

I also have a tru-vu 100 gallon plexi. I am restarting mine after moving to a new state, and my tank set up was 12 years old.[fresh water] i decided to a buy new hang on the back filter to replace my worn out whisper, and also get rid of the UG filter. i bought a tetra-tech 500 with the heating unit only to find out that the openings on the back are only 13 inches and way to small for the filter. i returned it and bought a magnum 350 canister filter, i have no experience with them but the guy there told me that it, along with one of my power heads attached to a foam filter to make water movement it would be ideal. I hope i bought the right filter because i am at the end almost of my replacement budget.

[bert]

IT'S a magnum 350 deluxe, how good a filter are these ?

[Gunnie]

I have an XP2 and an XP3 along with a sponge filter on my 100 gal. cichlid tank. I got both of my XP filters on ebay for under $200.00 (for both) including shipping! I think they are excellent filters at a great price for a canister!

[Matt W]

Originally posted by thefish


I was thinking that same thing, but how do you hook up a sump setup? My local fish store said you must drill a hole in the bottom of your tank... is this the only way? Or could you use 2 water pumps, one pulling water out of the tank one pumping it back in?

Not necessary. You can use an overflow box such as:

http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/overflow.htm

I would be very suprised if your LFS didn't sell them. All the ones around here do...

[125gJoe]

The AquaClear 500 and the Rena Filstar xP-3 sound great to me!

Both are priced right too... :)