Filter for 125 gallon Tank

Suggest you get 2 Polar Aurora (same as Sunsun) here. No media, 525 gph.



One on each side of the tank. UV lights only needed with green water problems. Do not use the UV lights at they are just a gimmick since the water flow will be too fast. Only use the foam pads that come with it and throw the other media away. Load the bottom tray with course, medium and fine filter floss/media. Now just fill all trays with Matrix and you are set.

 

Two Polar Aurora filters seems like a good plan. Is filter floss basically sponge? And could I replace the Matrix with bio rings? I was thinking of having it this order:

Carbon
Filter Floss
Bio Rings
Filter Floss

Does this seem okay? Should the carbon be in bags or chunks? I was thinking of not using lots of bio rings as chemical filtration isn't as important as biological filtration. Am I right?

By the way, is the media the filter comes with not suitable?

 

I would watch this video on how to set up a canister. Ceramic rings will work OK but Matrix is much better.

No need for any carbon at all. Carbon only used to remove medications or smells from the water.

 

Canister filters were invented by marketing departments for the boardroom, that they'll happen to be used in an aquarium is incidental. In a 125 a pair of sponges, or a matten filter, would be a cheaper, more efficient, longer-lasting solution that won't drain everything in your tank onto your floor if something goes wrong.

 

Does this filter pad seem fine?



And since I will be using two canister filters, are sponge filters and a hang on filter required or will I have enough filtration?

 

Does this filter pad seem fine?



And since I will be using two canister filters, are sponge filters and a hang on filter required or will I have enough filtration?

Haa... those are the same filter pads I use. All you need is just 2 of the canisters, nothing else at the 525 gph.

 

Thanks so much! All this information has been really helpful in deciding filtration and it definitely is going to save me money!

 

I got my on ebay, it came with 4 pads, one for each tray. I only use 1 of the pads.

the bottom tray (tray 1) has polyfill and 1 pad on top. tray 2 had the old sponge and biomax from my previous filter, after a few weeks I removed the sponges and added more Pond Matrix. trays 3 and 4 only has Pond Matrix.

 

A couple general thoughts. Check out the Pond Guru "**** My Filter" series. He has videos for at least some of the filters you've mentioned. You can jump on the Biohome train or not. I mention it just because he gives an in depth view (not review) of each of the filters he sets up and I know he's done some of the ones mentioned here.

The other thing is you might think about a passive canister pre-filter. It's basically just a sealed canister that sits ahead of your powered canister filter. This gives you a lot more room for filter media. Fill the pre-filter canister with foam media and then you can use the entire powered canister for biological media. With this arrangement you likely wouldn't need to open the powered canister for years. Just squeeze out the foam in the pre-filter every couple months and you should be good. Because it's nothing but a container with seals and hose barbs, they should be really cheap.

If you want to go really big and cheap, get a 5 gallon Home Depot plastic bucket and a gamma seal lid. Drill a couple holes, add bulkheads, and you've got a home made pre-filter canister with absolutely massive capacity. Put in several thick sheets of filter foam and you'll have awesome filtration.

 

Hello!!! I use 2 Marineland Penguin 350 filters on my 125 Oscar tank!!! They do an INCREDIBLE job!!! I use filter foam from Swiss Tropicals & Fluval bio rings!!!

 

Thanks! If I can fit it in my budget, I'll be sure to be getting at least one. They will add some circulation and back up my canister filters.