75g Filtration

[Daisytattoo]

I have a 75G tank currently running with an Emperor 400. I’m very lightly stocked so it is holding up ok....but not keeping my water as clear as I would like. I don’t think my husband will appreciate me dropping 300+ on a fx6 canister. What are some other good, more affordable options for this size tank?

 

[Cichlidude]

The general rule of thumb is your fish tank should turn over your water volume at least 4x per hour for best efficiency. All manufactures rate their pumps at the head level only. This means their ratings do not include head pump lift (canisters typically 3 feet: 7-13% loss), filter media baskets, filter media itself, tubing length, U bends from the input tube and output tubes or even the 90 degree bend for your spray bar. All this alone will reduce the flow by at least 25% right out of the box. This is for normally stocked to heavily stocked tanks.

Now add all your media which is jam packed with course, medium, fine pads, bio ceramic rings, hard media like Matrix, Biohome or Marine Pure Balls and now it gets dirty and clogged in weeks. This adds another 25% reduction. So now you have a 50-60% restriction in water flow. Which now leaves you at 2x your flow rate and you need 4x to run correctly. This is why you should get a filter with at least 8x-10x flow rate (manufactures specification) because of this 50% reduction will bring you to the 4x recommended flow. Canister filters hold more media than a HOB, so they can have a little less flow if you want (5x-6x) but 8x will cover both types of filters. Always best to have slower water flow over your media than more, so the water stays in contact with the media longer to promote maximum bacteria growth and still keeps good water movement in your tank. This is for normally stocked to heavily stocked tanks.

Tanks with less fish or lightly stocked will do just fine with a smaller filter than mentioned above.

With that said…

A 75 gallon tank needs about 600-750 gph. A FX6 is not needed. I use on my 75 gallon a Sunsun 303 (canister) at 370 gph and a Seachem Tidal 75 (HOB) at 350 gph. Can get both for about $130.

 

[JayH]

At 75 gallons you're a bit over the size that common HOBs can realistically handle, as you've discovered. If you're generally happy with your existing filter, you might consider getting a second one and running them in tandem. Marineland rates that filter for "up to" 80 gallons, which generally means the top end is actually 40 gallons, so if you add another you should be good. Or add one of a different brand. AquaClear and the Tidal mentioned above are both quality filters that are generally well thought of.

If you want to replace your existing filter with another single filter, I think you need to move into the canister range. That's definitely going to be more money. As Cichlidude pointed out, you want to look for something the manufacturer says will do "up to" ten times your tank capacity. That will ensure you get the actual flow you need.

If you're generally okay with the idea of the HOB like you have, I'd just add another and call it a day. Two filters gives you backup in case one goes out and allows you to stagger the cleaning. The Tidal 75 or 110 would be an excellent addition. Check the Pond Guru videos on YouTube for advice on how to properly set them up.

 

[Daisytattoo]

I’ve always been scared of canister filters lol. But I think I’m ready to venture that way. I was always worried about spending so much money on something yet having no idea how it works or if it is a good one.

 

[Cichlidude]

I’ve always been scared of canister filters lol. But I think I’m ready to venture that way. I was always worried about spending so much money on something yet having no idea how it works or if it is a good one.

If you want to do this with just one canister a Fluval FX4 or a Sunsun 3000 will work. Having a canister and a HOB is good for redundancy in the unlikely event one stops working. The canister usually can go 3-4 months before cleaning. The HOB might be cleaned once a month and is available to change up the chemical media if needed.

 

[Jonmott]

The sun sun fx6 knock off should be out soon, not bad for 150 us

 

[skar]

I’ve always been scared of canister filters lol. But I think I’m ready to venture that way. I was always worried about spending so much money on something yet having no idea how it works or if it is a good one.

Just food for thought I run two aquaclears on either side of 75. Irun a aq 70 and 110.
The 70 is a tad short so if you buy fresh I would go with two 110s.
Works great.

 

[Islandvic]

Daisytattoo , welcome to the forum.

What is your current stocking?

You mentioned your tank is not as clear as you would like it to be.

Is it cloudy from "new tank syndrome" and you have a slight bacterial bloom, or is there not enough circulation in the tank?

What type of potential fish stocking do you forsee your 75 gallon having in the future?

If you're on a budget, the addition of a $30 Penguin 350 HOB + a sponge filter tucked in the rear L/R corners would filter your 75 gallon fine if it was not overstocked. I use the ATI brand of sponge filters found on Kensfish.com and Jehmco.com. Each of my tanks have at least one, they work great and they are stackable.

Your Emperor 400 is a good filter, but it can easily be made to perform better for $10 or less....

If you have a larger budget, both Seachem Tidal and Aquaclear make excellent HOB's. Of course canister filters take it up a notch. Fluval, SunSun, Hydor, etc, are some of the brands of canisters that members here use. Fluval FX- series are routinely on sale at Petsmart. There are many others....

Your filter style selection should be based on your budget and stocking of fish. Sometimes basic beats expensive depending on application.

Here is a LINK to a thread on the forum, showing alternatives to using the cartridges that HOB's come with. It is a lengthy thread, but it is very informative if you read through the end. Lots of ideas and examples with pics, showing different ways of using DIY media in your filtes.

 

[Daisytattoo]

My current stock is 5 medium Angels, 2 gbr, 3 Cory cats, and 2-possibly 3 very small BN Plecos. I had 3 but haven’t seen one in awhile.

 

[Daisytattoo]

Tank has been setup for several months. I have the water lowered at the moment because I’m on the back end of treating for ich. It almost looks like the sand from the bottom of the tank is getting pulled up. It isn’t cloudy really...more like sand floating.

 

[Islandvic]

Sounds like the sand wasn't fully rinsed before being placed in the tank.

You should be able able to scoop up a cup full of sand and pour it back in, and have all the grains fall back down.

 

[Daisytattoo]

I sat in front of the tank for awhile tonight. What I’m seeing are very tiny air bubbles. I have the water level lowered a bit due to keeping the temp raised as I recently had a fish with ich. The water was pretty clear prior to treatment. I figured this out because it looks like there is sand floating and upon further investigation it turns out it is small air bubbles.