Filter recommendations for 180gal twin-flo (dual overflow) All-Glass tank

[pclausen]

I ordered a 180 gallon talk from All-Glass. It's the model that comes with two pre-drilled holes in each back corner. In other words, it has two back corner over-flows.

I just got off the phone with All-Glass, and they don't really want to recommend specific filters for this unit, but they did say that I need to use a wet/dry w/ sump setup that is capable of flowing 1200GPH + head, so I guess something like 1600GPH total?

I hear good things about the XP3 and the Eheims, but those are canister type filters, so they won't work, correct?

Looking at BigAls, I see that they have a Eheim Wet/Dry (2229 model). Is this what I need? Do I need two, one for each back corner?

I'm all confused...

P.S. the tank will be the new home for my 3 oscars, currently about 7 inches, but growing like crazy.

 

[pclausen]

Ok, after doing some additional reserach on-line, it would appear that overflow tanks are primarily used with salt water setups.

However, is there a reason why I can't use a tank with stand pipes for a fresh water installation?

One of the reasons I picked the model with the built-in overflows is that my tank will be very visible in my living room, and I like the idea of not having any exposed pipes.

I think my question boils down to this:

Can I use a canister filter such as the XP3 on a fresh water tank with overflows?

 

[bortsamson]

yeah, why not. But I would only use that to pick up particulate matter floating around, if I had twin overflows I would use 'em.
Have u done any research on sump systems? I would totally recommend that. Are u gonna make this a planted tank? I guess more answers about what ur gonna use the tank for maybe?


********EDIT*********
my mistake, I see u were looking at a wet-dry setup already.
If I were you, And you were me, wait..anways, if I had a tank like that, I would have a DIY wet dry setup, cause it would far cheaper then having two commercial wet-dry systems. But thats me.
For aesthetics, the overflow setup would be perfect, cause u can stick ur heaters and anything else you want UNDERNEATH the tank, in the sump(s), so u wont have any cords or anything visible inside the tank.
I may sound biased, but I am in the process of switching/converting my 55G setup to a sump for the reason that my cannisters keep getting clogged too quickly

 

[pclausen]

My plan is to not have any live plants in this tank since the oscars would likely tear them up, or perhaps not? I'd love to have live plants, but I don't know that is going to work with oscars.

In their current home, a 55gal, I only have rocks which is based on a recommendation from the previous owner of these rascals.

I would like to add a good sized catfish to the tank to help with the cleanup, and perhaps a couple of other guys that won't pick a fight with the oscars. The three oscars are all male. They ate their female companion when they were still babies. The three males seem to get along well in the 55gal (all are very healthy looking and have no battle scars). I'm sure they will love the 180gal once I get it setup for them.

For filtration, I'm now leaning towards an Aqua Clear Aquatics Wet/Dry filter with a 1800gph mag drive pump.

http://www.aquacon.com/wetdry.html

200 Gallon Wet Dry Filter
Includes Bioballs and all tubing, does not include prefilter box
Specifications
Dimensions 26"L X 10.75"W X 18"H
Rec. Tank size limit: 200 gallons
Bio Area: 5.5 gallons
Sump Capacity: 13.55 gallons
Rec. Pump Magdrive 18

I would simply put a Tee on the output of the pump to feed the two 3/4 returns into the tank, and run each of the 1" drains directly into the sump.

Then add a pair of 300W heaters to the sump, that should just about do it, right?

The wet/dry kit is $249.99 and the 1800gph pump runs $179.99. I'll look for a DIY kit with similar specs and see what I can put one together for to see if the savings are worth it.

 

[bortsamson]

hehe, if I had the ca$h you have I would prolly order that too, haha.
Should be just fine for you

 

[blitzen25bm]

yes go wet/dry esp since its a big tank with messy fish. i think wetdrys are better for fresh than it is salt. it would buildup too much nitrates in salt, i would just use liverocks rather than a wet/dry. they mainly use the overflows for refudgiums or whatever its called. the ehiem wet/drys are their normal canisters with some wetdry thing built in. im a huge fan of amiracle wet/dry filters but they are all basically the same, i would go for that 300 gallon model though, only 40 bucks more and you can put valves in the pumps retun incase its too strong, i would also get 2 smaller pumps than 1 big one.

 

[pclausen]

Thanks for the advice, this is what I ended up with:

I picked up the 300 gallon version since its bio-filter is rated at 1200gph, which is what all-glass told me their 180g twin-flo is capable of flowing.

I also picked up a pair of 700gph mag-drive pumps from bigals, so depending on the head, that will propably work out to right around 1200gph between the two of them. I also picked up a pair of 250W Ebo-Jager heaters from bigals to stick in the sump.

I didn't know what I was getting myself into when a friend of mine donated the 3 oscars to me 4 months ago for use in my idle 55g. They were only about 3 inches back then and are already 7 inches.

Yes, this is turning out to be rather expensive, but I feel it will be worth it in the long run.

 

[blitzen25bm]

yea it would be great, oscars in a tank actully big enough for them and the wet/dry would make it a clean setup.

 

[pclausen]

Up and running

Ok, I got the 180g up and running with my 3 Oscars in it.

Here is a shot:

I filled it with water saturday and let it run overnight to ensure no leaks in the tank or my plumming. Then I drained, added the rocks, refilled the tank and let the temperature stabilize. In went the 3 Oscars, along with 6 packets of Bio-Spira (each good for 30g). This was yesterday afternoon.

Today I got some cloudiness and 0.5ppm ammonia. Should I do a water change or let the Bio-Spira do its thing?

Here is a pick of the wet/dry:

Btw, the Oscars took to the tank right away and were begging for food within the hour!

A couple of shots of those guys:

Lighting is a Smartlite 72" w/ 2 96W SmartLamps. I'm not sure I like how much blue this thing puts out.

 

[Jamie]

Nice pics. The tank looks great. I have a 150 with a 30 gallon sump under it that has 9 gallons of bioballs. In my experience, you can't beat the wet/drys in regards to biological filtration. The only complaint I had with mine is that it left visible particles floating in the water. The debris in my tank is probably more than in yours due to all of my plants...regardless, I purchased a rena XP3 the other day to maintain the clarity of my water. I've heard only great things anbout that particular canister, and for the price, how could we go wrong. Big Al's is price matching Drs Foster and Smith. I think I ended up paying around $82 dollars for it. There will be no problems adding a canister. I also have a 1200 gph capability...which was too much. I ended up toning it down a bit by creating a tap off after my pump back into my sump. It's very easy to regulate the flow this way. I anticipate having to reduce it a little more once I have the Filstar up and running since it is capable of an additional 350 gph. Good luck!