Filter for 125 gallon Tank

Ok, thanks again! I'll focus my energy into figuring out what kind of pump the wet/dry has. I think I'll scrap the other filters as my intent in any of these is the 125.

I never intended to get a bigger tank this soon, but I don't want to pass up a deal if it's really good. So, I'm conflicted on the tank and/Or wet/dry.

Ok, the wet/dry comes with no return pump. The tank also isn't drilled. I'm not exactly sure what this means, or if I should wait for something else to come along.

Ok, I'm back. After looking over a few models of filters, I have a question.

It seems that two things I thought were true are being challenged. I had always thought that canisters provide superior filtration over HOBs. I've also thought that GPH was really the only true barometer for filtration. But, it's starting to seem like these can't both be true. I say this because I've come across some canisters with a lower GPH rating than HOBs have. For instance, the Aquaclear 110 is rated for 500 GPH, while an API XP- XL canister is more slightly more expensive, and rated at 450 GPH. There are other examples, too, but this was just an easy one to point out.

This being said, I was wondering if two Aquaclears would actually be better than using one along with the API canister mentioned above, or is there something I'm missing that's still superior with the canister? Of course, the Sun Sun was recommended, and this filter provides a bit more GPH than the Aquaclear, so this question doesn't factor in if I go that route, but I figured this would give me good knowledge, just to know.

 

In the end it really doesn't matter as far as hob vs canister. It's really personal preference. GPH is a large factor when deciding the amount of filtration is adequate for a tank but not the only factor. If I had a filter that gave me 1000 gph but only had the room for a small amount of filter material this would not be a good filter at all. While at the same time if I had a huge canister underneath my tank that let me put pounds and pounds of filter material but had a very low gph, it probably wouldn't be passing enough water over the bacteria to properly filter the tank. So really it's a combination of the amount of media that can be in the filter plus a good gph.

There are some in the hobby that feel you should put several low gph filters (like eheims) because these filters pass the water slowly over the media as opposed to the higher gph filters like sunsuns and fluvals. Really I'm not sure it matters that much. The price difference you see can largely be explained by brand name as opposed to filter quality. Some of it can also be explained by filter quality. Sunsuns are admittedly a lower quality filter than a fluval. But I can buy 4 or 5 sunsun 500 gph filters for the price of one fluval gph filter. So even if my sunsuns only last 2 or 3 years, times that by 4 or 5 and that's longer than a fluval would likely last. But fluvals are popularly regarded as the top of the line as far as quality and filtration. So if you were going to lay a bunch of money down on filtration, I'd go with those.

I think you are likely thinking about this too much.

 

Thanks, tyguy7760! Of course I'm over thinking this; that's what I do! So, although neither option is likely the best, and I may not go with either option in the end, would you go with two Aquaclears totaling 1000 GPH or one Aquaclear and one API canister totaling 950 GPH?

 

If I had to choose between those two options I'd go with 1 aquaclear and 1 canister. But personally I would like to see that gph closer to 1100 but that's just my OCDness coming out.

 

I understand, and I appreciate your feedback. Like I said, I had thought I read that canisters were superior, but I also knew GPH was important, so I wasn't sure which theory had more bend to it.

 

Not a problem. Both HOB's and Canisters have their pros and cons. I also think that if you had asked someone that had been in the hobby for decades they would probably go with HOB's because that was pretty much what has always been used until more recently and folks in the 60's and 70's were successful at keeping fish and keeping large fish with just HOB's. But canisters usually provide a greater amount of filtration options so really either is fine as long as you have a high turnover in your tank (especially since you are going to have some large cichlids and waste producers in there)

 

Got it, thanks again! I just want to be sure that if I make this upgrade, that I'm doing it right. I want to get equipment that will be what the tank requires, etc.

 

Rather than creating a new thread, I decided to post a new question within this thread.

As some of you know, I plan to eventually upgrade from my 55 gallon tank. I've come across a deal on Craigslist for a Fluval Fx4 canister filter. Two questions regarding this are, it's less than a year old, and was used for a month. I could get it for $140. Is this a good deal? And, this filter is rated for something like 200 gallons, but I know manufacturers recommendations are never correct, so...if I combine this filter with my Aquaclear 110, what size tank can I properly filtrate?

 

I'd say an fx4 and an aquaclear would be enough for a 125-150 that isn't overstocked. Though, in my opinion you could probably get two sunsun 304/404's for about that same price and it would give you more filtration. Then again, fx4 has the brand reputation. So it just depends on what you want. But for 140 if you are locked into a fluval then yes that's a good price

 

Thanks, tyguy7760. I'm not necessarily locked into any brand in particular. I've just been keeping an eye out for deals, and thought this seemed like one I should give some thought to. It seemed like a good deal, but I still know little to nothing about canister filters, so I wanted some advice before making any decisions.

Overall, I want to end up with something between 90-125 gallons. I want to use my Aquaclear 110 to supplement a canister, but need to figure out what.

 

well fluval is just about the best canister you are going to find. Their flow decreases the least amount when filled with media. I know quite a few folks that filter their entire 150 gallon tanks on an fx6 so an fx4 plus an ac110 should be plenty for 90-125

 

Great, thanks! Sounds like it'll be adequate but not overkill.

 

Just to comment on Fluval canisters in general, I have a Fluval 406 and I absolutely love it.

 

Thanks! So do you agree that this would be a great filter to add to my eventual upgrade?

 

I wouldn't hesitate to buy any kind of Fluval filter.

 

Fluval is the only brand I buy 2nd hand filter wise, worth buying new though too IMO. Dont buy a 2nd hand 1 unless its atleast 35% cheaper than retail that's my personal guideline anyway.

 

Well, as I first mentioned, I can get it 50% of new retail cost. It's less than a year old and was only used for a month according to the seller. In addition to making sure it's a good price, I want to be sure it will work well with my eventual upgrade.

 

Yes it would be enough on its own, people may disagree with me there but that's my opinion. Id add a power head to the tank for some extra movement but id be confident in the fx4 or instead of a power head add a internal filter I did that before too, ran the internal with just sponge and floss as a water polisher it was a nice set up I had that,, my first 200 litre.

 

Thanks for the info!
Just for clarification, will the Fx4 and Aquaclear 110 be too much filtration/flow?

 

Thanks for the info!
Just for clarification, will the Fx4 and Aquaclear 110 be too much filtration/flow?

No that would be fine, personally I don't use hob filters on my fresh water tanks but that's just me again lol and also like I said id get a power head or internal filter with a strong flow, if it was me that is.

 

Ok, thanks. I originally had two Aqueoun Quiet Flow filters on my 55, but then I took one off to begin a second tank. I replaced it with the Aquaclear with the intention of using that as my second filter for an eventual upgrade. I've been keeping an eye out for other deals ever since. Now I've found the Fx4, which looks like a go. One of these days I'll find the tank...I hope.

 

I pulled the trigger on the FX4. so, now I've got the filtration part of my upgrade set.

 

Hello, again. This isn't a question about filtration for a 125, but it is about filtration, so I thought I'd throw it out here rather than starting a new thread.

When I break down the 55, to upgrade to the 100 I bought, I'll have an extra filter. I'll have an unused Aqueon Quiet Flow 55/75. I'm currently using a Quiet Flow 30 on my 29 gallon. I'm wondering if I should keep that tank as is, or if I should put the 55/75 on it. I know it's essentially impossible to have too much filtration, but the 29 has some small fish, so I don't want them to struggle. I'd like to sell whichever filter I don't use on the 29, but I want to keep whichever will best suit my needs.

 

I'd probably transfer the media over from the 30 to the 55/75. That's quite a bit of filtration for a 29 but a quietflow 30 isn't quite enough.

Then again, if your 29 is lightly stocked, a quietflow 30 may be just fine.

if it ain't broke...don't fix it

 

It's pretty well stocked (I think), and my fish are small right now, so I'm wondering more about the future than for now. At the same time, I don't want to overpower my smaller fish.

1 Angelfish
1 Keyhole Cichlid
2 Nerite Snails
4 Fancy (male) guppies
9 Harlequin Rasboras

 

Hmm...Actually with that I'm not sure I'd do a 55/75 on a 29. That's quite a bit of flow for fancy guppies or young angels who aren't the best swimmers. I'd actually consider selling the 55/75 and getting a second filter like an aqueon 10 or 20 to run along with the 30. Though I guess you could test the 55/75 and see how your fish do with it.

 

Thanks, tyguy7760! So far, things seem to be doing well with the 30. But I'm thinking it may or may not be enough filtration when my fish grow. My Keyhole is only the size of a Diamond Tetra right now, and my Angel is double (or less) that size.

 

Yeah...I definitely think your filtration needs an upgrade...but i'd be hesitant in putting one with that much flow in a small tank with guppies.

 

So, would you say it's a situation where I'm fine for now, but I should have the smaller, supplemental filter once everything is full grown?

 

Yes. Though there is no reason to wait on getting the smaller filter. Go ahead and get it now. It can only help

 

Ok, thanks!
Not that I'm going to test the theory, but just so I know, if I use the larger filter, worst case scenario is smaller fish finding it difficult to swim, or filter will suck them up?

 

Filter should not suck them up unless they are already sick.

But typically fish with large tails and fish that come from slower current waters are going to have difficulty in high flow tanks. I would think your guppies will struggle and I'm not sure how the angels will do either.

 

Gotcha, ok. Thanks for the info!

 

Rather than posting a new thread, I decided to come on to this thread (since this question is about filters) to see if I could get some assistance.

I bought a water changer, and did a water change the other night. I made the mistake of not turning filters off first, and drained the tank below the intake tube for my Quiet Flow 55/75. It stopped working, and I can't get it to restart, which it usually does once there's sufficient water back in the tank. The filter media is not clogged, and neither is the intake tube. Any suggestions?

 

For a 125 ? I have a fx6 on my 120. I'm looking into a seachem tidal 110 too for a little xtra media space and surface agitation. And I just really want to try one.

 

No, it's not on a 125. It's the secondary filter on my 55. Just thought I'd ask the question here rather than starting a new thread.

 

Take off the motor and see if the impeller spins when you plug it in. Also, somehow, someone on Fishlore got their Quietflow working my filling it with water.

 

Thanks, I'll see. Oh, I meant to mention, also, I did make sure there's water in the filter.

 

Thanks, I'll see. Oh, I meant to mention, also, I did make sure there's water in the filter.

Is it still broken?

 

No, somehow, it was running when I got home from work this evening.