Overhead Trickle Filter For 55 Gallon Fancy Goldfish Tank

I think my last post (over the weekend) about this was eaten up when the new forums went live. I can't find it anywhere!.

Anyway, to my question.

I am setting up a breeding program, and I am looking for a cost effective filter for 55 gallon tank (2 of them). I have been doing a lot of research and I really like the idea of a overhead trickle (wet/dry) filter. I've watched a lot of DIY videos on youtube. Though, I am flat out confused about the pump that is needed to run these.

I know that rule of thumb for goldfish is 10x tank volume per hour. In a 55 gallon, that's 550gph. But, is this for power (HOB) filters? I ran across several articles about types of filters, whether emerged (like wet/dry), submerged and fluidized filters and their filtration capacity (processing ammonia the fastest). I learned that fluidized is the fastest filtration, then emerged and lastly submerged taking the longest.

So with that in mind, could I get away with 5x tank volume per hour on an emerged (wet/dry) filter with a pump that is rated at say 295 gph, which the MJ1200 is rated.

Just typing this out, I feel like I confused myself!

 

Do you have space to make a sump? I think that would be better, especially since goldfish produce a lot of waste.

I saw the video from Joey that I think you are talking about and I was almost ready to do one myself but I didn't get to it and turned to canister filters instead.
If you can why don't you go with something like a fluval fx-6? Or if not I think the sump would be a better bet.

Good Luck!

 

I thought about a sump but I'm quite scared to drill my tank.

I would also like to stay away from canisters because they are expensive, at least for right now. I am setting up two 55s and several others, so looking for something economical.

 

You don't need to drill your tank to make a sump all you need is 2 small power head pumps. One to suck in the water and one to push out the water.

Try and watch this one.

 

I've seen that one, it works like the wet/dry that I am interested in but modified to be overhead.

From what I've read wet/dry are good for goldfish.

Just still confused about pump sizes and gph. Though my maint. Schedule will be 2 x a week 50% wc

 

Ahhh I see you are trying to figure out how much flow you need to filter your filter!

Now please bear with me I really SUCK and HATE math! If I am wrong please correct me!

You need a pump that will turn over your tank at least 5x's in 1 hour.

So your tank is 55 gallons- 55 . 5 = 275gph

Now your pump is rated at 295gph. For example when some canister filter company's publish their gph for their filters they often use an unfiltered number(no media), while some do use numbers with media inside the filter.
Your pump is rated for 295gph for an unfiltered filter, so when you actually put in media it will slow down the gph. By how much that all depends on what and how much media you put in your filter, plus you would need to take into account the volume of the filter itself. So you need the 275(tank) and the (?)(volume of the filter) plus (how much media and what kind of media) to really figure out how big of a pump you need. While trying to figure out all this is hard and there is no way I could figure it out, I would just estimate or just add the 275 and the volume of the "filter" which should be no more than 1-3 gallons so maybe with media you can add 2 more and rough estimate it to 5 and your 275 just turned into 280gph.
I hope what I just wrote made sense and if not and I just made you lose your mind I am very sorry!

 

Lol no I understood what you meant! Now with goldfish, that amount is doubled to 10x per hour is what I've always read. So that takes me back to is that with a hob or the other types since each type filters differently.

 

Can't figure out how to edit! Sorry for back to back posts.

Wanted to add that if I do emerged media I wouldn't need as strong a pump, I think that is what I needed clarification about. Submerged media I would need a pump rated atleast 550 gph.

 

Ohhhh ok now I see you are trying to figure out what filters are they using when they are saying 10x's an hour. Are they giving that number from a HOB stand point or a canister filter stand point.
I don't really know how or what they are referring to. BUT I would use a canister filter stand point because they hold more media than a HOB.
I would look at it this way. They are saying that 10x's the turn over using a canister filter point of view.
Because the amount of media a HOB can hold is WAY less than a canister filter.
Did I just make sense?

 

I think I just figured out how to edit a post. If you hit "reply" in the box you want to edit it will bring up a box with what you want to edit but it also adds other things. I don't think it's quite working.

 

Can't figure out how to edit! Sorry for back to back posts.

Wanted to add that if I do emerged media I wouldn't need as strong a pump, I think that is what I needed clarification about. Submerged media I would need a pump rated atleast 550 gph.

 

Also you cannot delete a post like

I think I just figured out how to edit a post. If you hit "reply" in the box you want to edit it will bring up a box with what you want to edit.

 

I'm using this from my phone, so it probably looks weird to me because it's not an app lol.

Anyway, yes that was what I was wondering. Like I know that fancies can't have much current in the water and I'm afraid they will be blown all over the place with a high gph pump.

I purchased joeys book and that where I seen the different types of media and how long they take to process ammonia. Submerged always takes the longest, with emerged coming in middle and fluidized the shortest.

My thinking was wit emerged I could do 295gph and that would be okay and wouldn't give much current either. But not sure lol

 

How do you like Joeys book? I never met anyone who has purchased one.
I think the only way you can find out anything is just to try it yourself. I do t think much people have done the set-up you are doing. And there are ways to lower the flow from the output if it is too strong.

 

I think it was worth what I spent for it, a lot of useful information.

I've been on lunch for the past hour and spent some time looking at Asian forums that are using these type filters in their koi and goldfish farms. Pretty interesting.

Also it seems true that I wouldn't have to have a large pump since I'm not going up 3' head like a under tank would. So that is why even Joey said to use like a maxijet pump.

As for asthetics, well it's not pretty lol. But for my use its gonna be in my new small fish room so I won't have to worry about that!

Now to actually build this thing on paper.

 

I don't think they make maxi-jets anymore but I'm sure you can find something like it.

Good Luck on your build!

 

Well after looking at various ways to filter my small fish room, I think I am gonna end up going with a Linear Piston pump and sponge filters. Since they won't be display tanks, I think that's the best way to go.

 

I've been doing overhead trickle sumps for almost 4yrs now. If anyone is trying to save a buck an have a great filtration system this is a good way to go. My pump is rated at almost 1500gph an just 5ft head height with 1 90degree elbow. Along with 2 dIy internal canister filters in 2inch pvc full of biological running at 300gph each. The setup is a 180gal home to a few Haps, 6-7Peacocks, & Mbunas. A community tank that's been running for about 2yrs now.