I've been wondering for a while now, why use two or more filters for the larger tanks ( 125, 175, 250 galls etc.) Why not use a small pond filter to do the same job at a fraction of the cost?? Just wondered what the rest of you think 
Pond filter for larger tanks
- Thread starter Aderynglas
- Start date
That seems to be a fair question. A lfs near me has a couple of large PVC holding tanks that are 12'x3'x2.5' (approximately). He uses a tetra pond filter which seems to work pretty well.
dont most pond filters depend on gravity to flow the water back into the pond? you can put one of top of your tank if you have a strong lid but i guess it would be ugly. and the underwater ones are pretty big.
What got me wondering is that some of the smaller ones I've seen rely on a pump in the same way as my external canister filter and even have areas for different types of filtration. It was just an idea really. (thought I'd encourage it as I hadn't had one for a while 
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)Ideas are good...... and should be shared.
Your "fraction of the cost" comment is a bit off the mark tho - it would actually be more expensive to buy a small pond filter... because you'd need to buy an approprierate sized pump along with it and tubing and valves and so on.... where as aquarium filters come with built in pumps. Not all pond filters are designed based on a gravity fed system... and most are useless with out a pump. Having said that... building you're own filter system for your aquarium can/could be more cost effective than any store bought filters.
Your "fraction of the cost" comment is a bit off the mark tho - it would actually be more expensive to buy a small pond filter... because you'd need to buy an approprierate sized pump along with it and tubing and valves and so on.... where as aquarium filters come with built in pumps. Not all pond filters are designed based on a gravity fed system... and most are useless with out a pump. Having said that... building you're own filter system for your aquarium can/could be more cost effective than any store bought filters.
I used a pond pump and made my own sump out of 4 buckets and a 18g tote works awesome.I spent like $40 to build a massive wet dry sump.
I've seen people use pond pumps for tanks with very large fish/bioloads, seems to make sense in thise situations - not pretty, but effective