130 Filteration and Lighting Question

K

Kevin007

AC Members
May 27, 2008
287
0
16
What would be the best filtration for a 130 Gallon tanked hi tech tank? I have in the past brought alot of stuff that I regret buying because it was "just enough" It left my water with "barely satisfied" I brought a internal Fluval 4 Plus for my 55 Gallon, what a POS that was, so i added another HOB by topfin to add to the filteration. Its still garbage. POS + POS = A bigger POS. So, I will not go that route again. For a 130 gallon which choice would you go with? What about a 55 gallon?

1. Fluval FX5
2. Ehiem 2028
3. Filstar XP4
4. Eheim 2028 + Filstar XP4
5. 2x Filstar XP4

:)

Oh I am also having trouble finding a 5 ft light. Any ideas where?

I'm a newbie to planted tanks and I have been reading alot the past few weeks, one thing that scares me, is ALGAE! Some people have luck with them, some do not, I do NOT want an algae breakout, any advices?

And Should i scrub off all the algae that is currently in my tank before adding the plants? They are mostly brown algae, some are on the wood and stuff. Should I leave it to the ottos when i get them?

Thanks
 
Last edited:
Do not have any experience with these filters, I had a Fluval 305 on my 55G and not crazy one way or the other with it... I have heard good reviews with the FX5 however. I curently am running a tidepool wet/dry sump filtration setup with my 135G. Jury is still out on this system as well. On lighting I would go with T-5 (minamul heat buildup) or CF from AH Supply: http://ahsupply.com/mcart/index.cgi

I have 4x55 watt CF with 2 Nova slimpaq T-5 on the 135. I would recommend the T-5 as you can build these from 36" or 48" lenghts and add up to ten tubes with different k ratings giving you unlimited choices.

diatoms are normally found in newly setup systems nothing to worry about but is somewhat unsightly
Troy
 
Last edited:
susantroy1 said:
Do not have any experience with these filters, I had a Fluval 305 on my 55G and not crazy one way or the other with it... I have heard good reviews with the FX5 however. I curently am running a tidepool wet/dry sump filtration setup with my 135G.
Click to expand...

I would like to use a sump filteration since the total cost will be about the same but I have no knowlege of plumbing and I don't trust my plumbing skills at all. Unless its easier then i think?..
 
After someone explains a sump to you it's really easy. I was scared to death to do a sump but it's a piece of cake. It makes the water sooooooo clear. I would have never belived it. My tank is not drilled so I have one overflow box. I reworked my plumbing and purchased 3 tee connectors and 4 directional u-tubes. I took the 4 u-tubes spaced them evenly across my tank and connected the hose to the 3 tee connectors and it's all connected to one pump. I really want to add another overflow box and a larger pump for more flow. Hope I didn't confuse you. On my other tanks I have the Rena xp3. I love my rena's. I even traded my eheim's for rena's.
 
Kevin007 said:
I would like to use a sump filteration since the total cost will be about the same but I have no knowlege of plumbing and I don't trust my plumbing skills at all. Unless its easier then i think?..
Click to expand...

Kevin this is my Tide pool 2 set up on my 135 I like it (I think) The bio filtration will be the best I've had from the canisters I've had in the past. I've heard sumps are very good for this reason...

tidepool-2a.jpg


This is the external overflow for it My 135 is not drilled

overflow.jpg

I took the sponge prefilter off the overflow and installed the gurgglebuster I made for it.....biggest improvement to the system so far!!
http://home.everestkc.net/jrobertson57268/HGB/index.html
overflow1.jpg


This is the Eheim 1262 Pump lots of flow no noise:)

EHEIM1262PUMP.jpg


Sorry for the Pics thought you might be interested in the wet/dry if you wanting to make a decision...another option


Troy
 
Mgamer20o0 said:
but if they want a high tech co2 planted tank thats going to gas off so much co2 it will be crazy. thats why until you fully know what they want its hard to say. i do agree with you sumps are great and often under rated in fw tanks.
Click to expand...

Completely agree with you Mgamer,
If you look closely there is a bio wheel that receives the cascaded H20 from the drip trays, great bio filtration....but at a substantial C02 off gas loss I'm afraid. I've toned this tank down from my ol' 55 which had 4wpg and press C02. This one will have half that much light the Press C02 will only be there for stability issues. If I find this wet/dry not to my likening I'll ditch the bio wheel and go wet sump only, with submerged pwr heads on sponges for additional Bio Filtration

Troy
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom