How would YOU filter a 180G? (No sump)

The tank will be heavily stocked with Mbunas. I have a Eheim 2217 + HOB on a 55 Gallon and my water is crystal clear, as if the fish are flying in mid air, I hope I can do the same on a larger scale.

I have heard alot of great reviews for the C530, but how do they compare to the FX5 or the Eheim 2260?

The 2260 is very expensive $350ish while I can get the FX5 for $275. and the 2260 comes with NO filter media which will cost me alot considering the size of that thing.

Won't it be more wise to buy a FX5 + maybe another 2217? How necessary are Powerheads? The FX5 is known for pushing out alot of water which is one of the reasons why I'm looking at it.

Thanks for the input guys
 
On my 180gal I have a cascade 1000 filled with floss and bio media which filters then dumps into a 15gallon barrel filled with 5 floss pads and 1 bag of lava rock. I have a quiet one 6000 with a T intake wrapped in filter floss for mechanical filtration.
 
Think of it this way, an FX5 puts out, what almost 1K GPH? The 2260 is at a meager 400 GPH. Really, you would need 2 2260's. But the advantage to two vs a single FX5 is alot of media space.

I know the 2260 says its for tanks up to 400g, but holy crap guys, 1x turnover rate? thats bad..... even for a sump thats way too low.

I'd still prefer the 2 C-530, talk about media space, ohh boy.
 
I see FX5s on ebay for $200 + media and free shipping. If that is the case, I might buy 2 to go along with a 2217.

How does that sound? One on each corner with the eheim on the center.

What kind of media would you fill the 3 filters with?
 
Talk about GPH all you want but the Eheims are just plain better at filtering your tank due to the no bypass bottom to top flow path.
The fx5 does look like a nice filter altho I have heard it has a serious bypass issues it still looks real good on paper.

Adding another 2217 would surely help but I think you would still need more. 3x2217 would do it.
 
I would reconsider wet/dry. I have never been more satisfied with a filter other than a DIY wet/dry. A little research goes a long way. I have 1 filter for a 110, 125, and 300 and they look/test better than any of my tanks that are filtered by canisters. It's also worth mentioning that a sump (wet/dry) is much more versatile and easier to maintain. If you're not worried about plants, it's hard to beat a wet/dry IMO.
 
mott said:
Talk about GPH all you want but the Eheims are just plain better at filtering your tank due to the no bypass bottom to top flow path.
The fx5 does look like a nice filter altho I have heard it has a serious bypass issues it still looks real good on paper.

Adding another 2217 would surely help but I think you would still need more. 3x2217 would do it.
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Are you suggesting 3 2217s instead of 1 2217 and 2 FX5? I mainly chose the FX5 because it gives you good water movement, in a tank this big it is very important. I won't have to buy powerheads..

Eheims are very very very reliable though, i love my 2217
 
Hey I have a few questions

1. Where would you place the filters?

I plan on placing 2 fx5s outputs on each of the back corner (one nozzle aiming parallel to the back glass and the other towards the middle of the front glass) with the eheim 2217 spraybar running on the center back glass.

How would you do it? What about water movement? Are powerheads necessary? I think the 2 front corners would be lacking circulation?

2. What would you will the canisters with?

I have the 2217 on a 55G right now with the media that came with the filter. Would you put bio & mechanical media in all 3 filters or maybe use 1 fx5 for bio and 1 for mechanical?
 
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