75 gallon filter, hob, canister, both, neither?!

Hello everyone. I have a question considering the filters I should buy for my new 75 gallon tank that I’m setting. I got it as a Christmas present but haven’t been able to put it together. Well I started last night but forgot that I don’t know what filters to use. My plan is one hob and one canister filter. My dilemma is that I plan to only have nano fish in there like kuhli loaches, blue eyed rainbowfish, pygmy corydoras, honey gouramis and the likes and it’s gonna be a heavily planted tank. With this in mind I need a filter that will give me flow but definitely not too much and enough to cover any possible ‘dead zones’ that might occur. If one canister will be enough then I can do that but I’m thinking I’ll need a hob or even just two hob no canister, anything that will work good but with not too much flow. Thank you for any help!

 

I think 2 HOBs might be better as far as not having too much flow. Could even do a couple of bigger sponge filters in the corners as well to help with dead zones if you wanted. But your ideas will work as well. Just depends how much money you want to spend and if you really want to drill holes for canister filter.

 

I think 2 HOBs might be better as far as not having too much flow. Could even do a couple of bigger sponge filters in the corners as well to help with dead zones if you wanted. But your ideas will work as well. Just depends how much money you want to spend and if you really want to drill holes for canister filter.

Canister filters require holes to be drilled?

 

Canister filters require holes to be drilled?

No, they do not.

 

No, they do not.

Oh then the only thing to think about would be costs right?

 

Oh then the only thing to think about would be costs right?

I think it's really personal preference. If you can hide the canister in the stand, the canister has the least visible components. You can also typically move more water with them than an HOB and they tend to have more room for media.

But HOBs can work too.

My preference would be to get a large canister filter and overfilter the tank. Use a spray bar or other options if flow is a problem.

I personally run an FX6 on a 75G and use a spray bar and it works great.

 

I think it's really personal preference. If you can hide the canister in the stand, the canister has the least visible components. You can also typically move more water with them than an HOB and they tend to have more room for media.

But HOBs can work too.

My preference would be to get a large canister filter and overfilter the tank. Use a spray bar or other options if flow is a problem.

I personally run an FX6 on a 75G and use a spray bar and it works great.

Okay thank you, I might get the fluval 07 series if I can get it for a deal/plan, otherwise I'll go for the hob first and later on after some saving get the canister filter too.

 

Okay thank you, I might get the fluval 07 series if I can get it for a deal/plan, otherwise I'll go for the hob first and later on after some saving get the canister filter too.

A 407 would be great on a 75G.

 

A 407 would be great on a 75G.

Once I have the funds I will definitely get it!

 

My preference is a Canister + internal filter on the other end to add circulation and collect occasional gunk. I have spray bar added to canister to spread around the flow so it's not too much =) I rinse internal once a month and canister when ever the flow gets too slow (maybe 3 times a year?)

 

I also prefer canisters. For a heavily planted tank with only nano fish one appropriately sized canister is definitely enough, unless you want a second filter as a backup. I use sponges on the intake of the canister filter, in an emergency you can use the sponge powered by an air pump. You can also use the sponge if you need to set up a hospital or quarantine tank quickly.

 

I prefer canister and 1 HOB filter. Best of both worlds.

 

I prefer canister and 1 HOB filter. Best of both worlds.

Any recommendations for this size tank?

 

You want two filters so that they act as a back up especially in a tank this size. Filters fail and can cause the oxygen to be depleted in the water. Get any two filters that work for your budget.

I vote for one canister and one HOB.

Use prefilters, coarse, durable media, and don't change the media. Just let it go.

 

Any recommendations for this size tank?

Well, my prefences for HOB filters are

• AquaClear 110 (stronger flow), 70 (medium flow)
• Fluval C Series model C4 (medium flow)
• Penn-Plax Cascade 300

Canister Filters

• Eheim 2217 or 350 classic
• Penn-Plax Cascade 1000
• Fluval 406
• Polar Aurora

I run an AquaClear 70 and a Eheim 350 on a 75 gallon planted tank.
You can run an AquaClear 110 and a Eheim 2217 if you want stronger flow.