Is THIS enough filter for 90 gallon freshwater tank?

I have jumped into a decision that I should have made from the start. I just left a partial payment on a 90 gallon freshwater tank with stand and canopy. The tank dimensions are 48.5" x 18.5" x 25.4". Fits PERFECT in the entry way to my home.

I was going to get a Fluval 406 canister for it that is rated up to 100 gallons and the guy at the local aquarium store showed me a Aquatop AF300 that is rated up to 90 gallons. There is also a AF400 that is rated up to 100 gallons. Will I be OK with the 90 gallon model? I know it's rated to 90 gallon...but am I on the edge of not being enough? He is out of the 400 model...so I don't want to get just what he has...but what I need! Both models have a UV sterilizer built in that he tells me will help with Algae.


Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks in advance!

 

What is the GPH rating?

 

What is the GPH rating?

The Aqua top AF300 is rated for 317gph. The AquaTop AF400 is rated for 396gph.

 

You should have at least 5x the GPH for tank size. So 90 x 5= 450.....

 

The Fluval is rated for a 100 gallon tank and has a flow rate of 383 gph. It doesn't have a UV sterilizer however. Is a UV sterilizer that important??

GEEZ!! What filter does that???

 

The Fluval is rated for a 100 gallon tank and has a flow rate of 383 gph. It doesn't have a UV sterilizer however. Is a UV sterilizer that important??

No. It's good, but not absolutely necessary.

GEEZ!! What filter does that???

That's why you use two......

 

I do have a Fluval 206 that was delivered to me..that has a 206 gph rate. Can I combine the two? Fluval 206 + Aquatop 317 = 523GPH

 

I do have a Fluval 206 that was delivered to me..that has a 206 gph rate. Can I combine the two? Fluval 206 + Aquatop 317 = 523GPH

Yes, you can.

 

...or...I can go with a Fluval FX6 which has a rate of 563gph. Correct??

I looked at the Sunsun models...and MAN..they look cheap! I've heard good things about them...but they sure look cheesey!

 

...or...I can go with a Fluval FX6 which has a rate of 563gph. Correct??

I looked at the Sunsun models...and MAN..they look cheap! I've heard good things about them...but they sure look cheesey!

SunSuns are good.

 

How tough are they to disconnect when you need to clean? The Fluval is..turn it off...flip the lever and pop off!

 

How tough are they to disconnect when you need to clean? The Fluval is..turn it off...flip the lever and pop off!

No clue.....sorry.

 

Sun sun works the same way for cleaning. And FYI sun sun and aquatop are the same thing.

 

...or...I can go with a Fluval FX6 which has a rate of 563gph. Correct??

That's what I would do.

 

I may be wrong...but it seems easier to deal with one canister vs having to deal with two. However...would that mean that I have more options for mechanical filtration?

If I run two filters....then I have two intake tubes and two discharge tubes. Doesn't that clutter up the tank a bit??

 

Actually running 2 isn't bad at all. I clean one of them each month. Really not any more work. And an added benefit, if one were to go down you still have one running until you repair it.

 

2 canisters are a lot IMHO. I would go with one. Is this going to be a planted tank? You will definitely want to get one of those stands that have storage built-in and doors that will hide your equipment. The canister will sit below and will be concealed by the stand.

 

I disagree two properly sized filters will give you redundancy.

 

I don't understand what you are disagreeing too.

My concern is this...If I buy a Sunsun...usually you get what you pay for. Is this any different is the canister world?? It runs about $85 for a decent one with good gph. I'd need two. I can get the Fluval FX-6 for $300 with 563gph

 

I may be wrong...but it seems easier to deal with one canister vs having to deal with two. However...would that mean that I have more options for mechanical filtration?

If I run two filters....then I have two intake tubes and two discharge tubes. Doesn't that clutter up the tank a bit??

Depends on how creative you get. I use a 5-stage aquatop splitting both outflow/inflow inlets in two. The aquatop is the same as the sun sun.

Are they good, well after three years of 24 hour run-time there has never been any issue and well worth the investment.

 

That's why you use two......

This is common with larger tanks, you can orient the media in one towards bio filtration, the other towards mechanical filtration. All filters have their strengths & weaknesses, use this to your advantage in a multiple filter setup. One of the more commonly found setups is an Eheim Classic set up for bio filtration, lower flow with tons of room for media, and an Aqua Clear set up for mechanical filtration, higher flow & easy to maintain. Put a sponge pre filter on the filter set up for bio filtration, with a large canister you may be opening it up every 6 months for a quick clean, it won't get that dirty.

If you're worried about seeing hardware in the tank consider a sump. You won't even see a heater.

 

And if it needs parts and you can't source the parts locally you have no filter. I had a marineland and fluval and sun sun and I don't really see that much of a quality difference. But 2 sun sun are half the $$$ of one fluval. That's all I'm saying

 

Noone seems to be taking account of what's living in the aquarium and that makes a huge difference.

 

I agree with plecomaker. I have an aquaclear 110, and a Rena xp1 on my 75 for a turnover of 10x. A little overkill, but I plan to stock fairly heavily.

 

Noone seems to be taking account of what's living in the aquarium and that makes a huge difference.

You should have at least 5x the GPH for tank size. So 90 x 5= 450.....

This is a good general rule when using a canister no matter what you are keeping in it.

 

I agree with both of you, that's why I said properly sized. I certainly wouldn't put a 350 gph on my 20 gal shrimp tank lol.

 

I always run to filters. It's sure nice when one one stops working and you have a second still running. Aquatop are great I have been using one for over a year.

 

I bought a FX-6 today. $339 I also have a Fluval 206 that I will probably take back and get a more efficient Sunsun. I have not heard one bad thing about Sunsun yet!! Not one! I can get a MacDaddy Sunsun that pushes a ton of water for less money than the little Fluval!!

 

You won't need a 2nd filter with an FX6 on a 90 gallon. Two filters is a good idea in some tanks, but in your case, that FX6 is all you need.

 

I have. A tendency to understock, so filtration is less of an issue.
HOWEVER what's livin in there is not regulated to just animals. Healthy plants reduce filtration need as to c,retain cleaner animals.
also some fish like oscars and goldfish need much more filtration then a school of neons of the same mass.
That's all I'm saying.

 

I have. A tendency to understock, so filtration is less of an issue.
HOWEVER what's livin in there is not regulated to just animals. Healthy plants reduce filtration need as to c,retain cleaner animals.
also some fish like oscars and goldfish need much more filtration then a school of neons of the same mass.
That's all I'm saying.

I was not even referring to the stock, my point is that if you run two PROPERLY sized filters, if one goes down you still have one running until you can source the parts. I am in CincinnatI and I have not found any stores around that carry hardly any parts for any filters, they all want to sell you a new one, so I have to order parts online or have the LFS order them, which takes time. I imagine that more rural people have even less chance to get parts. So run with only one filter or run with none, that's why I always recommend two filters, even if one is HOB but hey its your tank do whatever you want! To the OP congrats on your new canister, regardless of 1 or 2 or what brand, I think you will love the canister world, I think they are so much nicer than HOB!

 

Thanks Ohio!! I;m hooked by this hobby!!
I do feel a little buyers remorse about spending the money that I did on this 90 gallon set up...but hopefully I;ll get over it and enjoy it. I think once I figure out WHAT species I want to put into the tank...I'll feel better. I originally wanted a community planted tank...but I'm strongly considering a African Cichlid tank which obviously is not the same set up. Meanwhile...I have everything that is mechanical put together, just waiting for a decision on what to aquascape with. Be it stone or plants...I'm just not sure. YET!!

 

Thanks Ohio!! I;m hooked by this hobby!!
I do feel a little buyers remorse about spending the money that I did on this 90 gallon set up...but hopefully I;ll get over it and enjoy it. I think once I figure out WHAT species I want to put into the tank...I'll feel better. I originally wanted a community planted tank...but I'm strongly considering a African Cichlid tank which obviously is not the same set up. Meanwhile...I have everything that is mechanical put together, just waiting for a decision on what to aquascape with. Be it stone or plants...I'm just not sure. YET!!

I know exactly how you feel, I upgraded from a 75 gal to a 125 gal just this past Friday, I do have a planted community, high light, co2, etc. Now I had to order additional lighting to get back to where I was. Sometimes I hate spending the money but man these tanks can be beautiful and rewarding! Best of luck whichever route you choose, I'm sure it will be amazing!

 

I know exactly how you feel, I upgraded from a 75 gal to a 125 gal just this past Friday, I do have a planted community, high light, co2, etc. Now I had to order additional lighting to get back to where I was. Sometimes I hate spending the money but man these tanks can be beautiful and rewarding! Best of luck whichever route you choose, I'm sure it will be amazing!

I know one thing...I LOVE tinkering with them! Keeps me off the streets! All my tanks are cycled now. What will I do?? HHmmmmm....maybe a 125?? NAH!!!! I'll just wait...for a bit. Patience..patience!! Maybe I;ll take the couch out of the living room. Heck..who needs a couch?

 

I know one thing...I LOVE tinkering with them! Keeps me off the streets! All my tanks are cycled now. What will I do?? HHmmmmm....maybe a 125?? NAH!!!! I'll just wait...for a bit. Patience..patience!! Maybe I;ll take the couch out of the living room. Heck..who needs a couch?

MTS strikes again

I agree with both of you, that's why I said properly sized. I certainly wouldn't put a 350 gph on my 20 gal shrimp tank lol.

It would be fun to see though, poor little guys in a whirlpool lol

Some of my shrimp come under the lilypipe and catch a ride to the other side of the tank. At first I thought it was an accident until I noticed the little bugas seem to like to do this once in a while. Especially the amanos. My misfit crystal red also does this, not just once, they swim back and do it a few times.

 

Tinkering is fun. Make your own filter. I made mine and I love it
cheap and easy to replace my filters and make changes. The pump is easily acquired at any hardware store. Actually everything is, I strongly recommend a sump.

 

MTS strikes again

I think MTS is about to get me lol. I woke up this morning to about 10 more Mollie babies in my tank which are in a 10 gallon yes it know it's too small they will be going in a 29 gallon. So I was going to use the 10 gallon for a quarantine but now I might use it for a baby tank they get another 10 gallon or quarantine and maybe another tank for fish stock because in probably going to sell some of the mollies because they will over power me if they keep this up... Lol.

 

It would be fun to see though, poor little guys in a whirlpool lol

Some of my shrimp come under the lilypipe and catch a ride to the other side of the tank. At first I thought it was an accident until I noticed the little bugas seem to like to do this once in a while. Especially the amanos. My misfit crystal red also does this, not just once, they swim back and do it a few times.

Kind of like taking them all to a water park and being on the rides!

Tinkering is fun. Make your own filter. I made mine and I love it
cheap and easy to replace my filters and make changes. The pump is easily acquired at any hardware store. Actually everything is, I strongly recommend a sump.

Did you make a sump pump? Do... tell the specs! I;ve heard that they are a TON easier to maintain!

I think MTS is about to get me lol. I woke up this morning to about 10 more Mollie babies in my tank which are in a 10 gallon yes it know it's too small they will be going in a 29 gallon. So I was going to use the 10 gallon for a quarantine but now I might use it for a baby tank they get another 10 gallon or quarantine and maybe another tank for fish stock because in probably going to sell some of the mollies because they will over power me if they keep this up... Lol.

The disease bit me BAD!! I love piddling with them. I used to always make fun of my sister talking to her dog as if the dog understood the entire english vocabulary. If you could only hear me talk to my fish. I catch myself doing it..and think about the harassment that I gave my sis!

I have 5 or 6 platys in my 29 gallon and one of them looks like it has a swollen belly. Today..I look at it..and it seems fine? I don't know how the male vs female look in a platy..as they look the same...but it sure did look pregnant. Hanging out in back of the tank like it was sick. Then two days later...swimming all over and happy as can be!

 

Kind of like taking them all to a water park and being on the rides!

Seems like it. They enjoy it and it is a spectacle to see.

 

Did you make a sump pump? Do... tell the specs! I;ve heard that they are a TON easier to maintain!

I have a video on youtube. I extremely went over the top, my water stays clean. I still not satisfy. I'm going to try the algae scrubber down the road