Hi People!
Well I finally did it...I jumped right in there and bought the tank of my dreams. A very cool 60 x 24 x 28 with solid pine cabinet and hood (cost me AU$945, I didn't think that was too bad) which as of right now is sitting very patiently waiting for me to set up. But before I do go out and spend another $1000 on the vitals. I just wanted to get some opinions and/or alternate ideas.
Okay, so as you know its 60 x 24 x 28 which holds about 650L or approx 170Gal (I think!). So I was thinking in the way of filtration I would run a Fluval FX5 Canister along with 2 x Tota TIF-2200 internal power filters. I really need to know 2 things a)How are Fluval, particularly the FX5, canister filters? In the way of efficiency, build quality, how long one will last, and how loud they are?
I know by reading alot of posts that alot of people are saying Eheim all the way. But I don't have an Eheim budget, I can get the FX5 for AU$379.00 where I was being quoted somewhere near AU$995 for an Eheim. So in the way of recommendations something in my budget available to Australia would be good.
The other thing that I would kill to know is about canister specs. When I look at the specs of the FX5 they tell me that its 3500L/Hr but after reading further I find that filter circulation is only 2300L/Hr excluding media etc. and that the 3500L/Hr refers to the output. So does this mean that all filters that advertise a certain L/Hr refer only to output not circulation. And to sound like a complete noob, can someone just explain to me the difference and which is more important.
Okay...now lighting. I was reading up on planted tanks and while I don't want to go for the insanely aquascaped co2 injected masterpiece of a garden I would really like a healthy planted tank and as my tank is higher at 28 inches I'm a little lost as to where to go. For one I have found it impossible to actually find a high output 5ft housing. So realizing that I will probably have to go with a 4ft housing, would a 4ft housing with 4 x 38W T5 Fluoros provide enough light to keep plants? Or would that be considered low lighting?
Hmm, I think that's it...I just want to make sure I'm doing it right. So thanks for your time and any recommendations.
Sarah.
Well I finally did it...I jumped right in there and bought the tank of my dreams. A very cool 60 x 24 x 28 with solid pine cabinet and hood (cost me AU$945, I didn't think that was too bad) which as of right now is sitting very patiently waiting for me to set up. But before I do go out and spend another $1000 on the vitals. I just wanted to get some opinions and/or alternate ideas.
Okay, so as you know its 60 x 24 x 28 which holds about 650L or approx 170Gal (I think!). So I was thinking in the way of filtration I would run a Fluval FX5 Canister along with 2 x Tota TIF-2200 internal power filters. I really need to know 2 things a)How are Fluval, particularly the FX5, canister filters? In the way of efficiency, build quality, how long one will last, and how loud they are?
I know by reading alot of posts that alot of people are saying Eheim all the way. But I don't have an Eheim budget, I can get the FX5 for AU$379.00 where I was being quoted somewhere near AU$995 for an Eheim. So in the way of recommendations something in my budget available to Australia would be good.
The other thing that I would kill to know is about canister specs. When I look at the specs of the FX5 they tell me that its 3500L/Hr but after reading further I find that filter circulation is only 2300L/Hr excluding media etc. and that the 3500L/Hr refers to the output. So does this mean that all filters that advertise a certain L/Hr refer only to output not circulation. And to sound like a complete noob, can someone just explain to me the difference and which is more important.
Okay...now lighting. I was reading up on planted tanks and while I don't want to go for the insanely aquascaped co2 injected masterpiece of a garden I would really like a healthy planted tank and as my tank is higher at 28 inches I'm a little lost as to where to go. For one I have found it impossible to actually find a high output 5ft housing. So realizing that I will probably have to go with a 4ft housing, would a 4ft housing with 4 x 38W T5 Fluoros provide enough light to keep plants? Or would that be considered low lighting?
Hmm, I think that's it...I just want to make sure I'm doing it right. So thanks for your time and any recommendations.
Sarah.
