Now for Filtering the 180

[dodgefreak8]

well I have figured out most of what I am going to do with my setup but the last thing I am stuck on is filtration.. I really like the emperor 400 and I already have one that is cycled so I would have a jump on cycling the tank. I was wondering if 2 of these and maybe 1-2 powerheads on my undergravel filter will be enough filtration? The emperor 400 is only rated for 80 gallons which gives my a total of 160 gallons.. I would like to stay away from canister filters or wet/dry. I already have a magnum 350 if I have to use it. but I really don't like them. any help would be greatly appreciated.. thanks again everyone

[Caveman]

How many fish and what size are they gonna be when they go into this tank? As long as there is not a massive bio load it should work out.

[dodgefreak8]

I plan on my arowana 9" now, My gold nugget pleco 2", a lima shovelnose around 5-6" maybe a couple of 4 line pictus cats around 6" and for a while my freshwater moray eel 15" after that I don't know.. I plan on cycling my tank with a cycled filter and bio-spira with 2 dozen feeder goldfish before adding my fish though.. any suggestions?

[Caveman]

You should look at getting another filter on there for that amount of fish. Something like the Magnum 350 would compliment your current filtration quite well.
Magnum 350 (http://www.marineland.com/products/consumer/con_magnum.asp)

[dodgefreak8]

I have a magnum 350 but with all of that running the current in the tank would be insane wouldn't it? I though about another emperor 400 would this be enough?

[Caveman]

Only fish that would be bothered by the current would be the Arowana. I had a very similar filtrarion set up on one of my 80 gallons with some small Cichlids and the current did not seem to bother them. I would just experiment with a few diffrent filters and powerheads until you find the setup that best suits your fish.

[Kenta]

I have a green aro, clown knife (small) and 7 medium bichirs in my 180g.

Right now i only have 2 XP3s and 1 AC500, as well as a big powerhead running on it. It does the job, but i'm still underfiltered IMO.

I plan to add a 50g sump in the next few months.

[Monster VooDoo Fish]

Im using two XP3's on my 150g. with the spray bars. Nice clean look and its rated
for big tanks.

[buddah101]

I use (4)AC 500's and a mag350 on my 180. seems to work great! I only use the sponge an filter floss in the AC's and carbon in the Mag350 just to help remove DOC's in the water.

[piranha45]

I only have 3 AC500s with 1-2 sponges each filtering my 200g. BUT I have a much smaller fish load than what you guys have.

[WckedMidas]

im only running a peng 330 with bio wheels. a ac 500 with duble sponges a large sponge on a powerhead. And i was runing my mag 350 pro with bio wheels. But have since came to the conclussion that mags suck as s.

[buddah101]

You should get a Magnum 350. that would help your filtration woes immensely, or get a couple of Aqua Clear 500/110.

[buddah101]

I use 4 Aqua Clear 500's on my 180 with just the sponge and filter floss and a Magnum 350 with the carbon cartridge in it to help rid any D.O.C's. Works wonders and I use a Python for weekly waterchanges. I have near perfect readings every time. I said near perfect cause I'm never satisfied with the nitrAte reading, it's always at or about 30. GRRRR

[neoprodigy]

Im using two XP3's on my 150g. with the spray bars. Nice clean look and its rated
for big tanks.
XP are nice and cheap... i got couple of those

[dodgefreak8]

well I have it narrowed down to this either 1 eheim 2028 for $215.00w/media
and 2 emporer 400's

or 2 filstar xp 3's $99.00 and 2 emporer 400's I will also add 1 penguin 660 powerhead w/reverse flow and pre filter for airation

what do you guys think about this? with the 2 xp3's its rated for a 510 gallon tank

with the eheim 2028 its rated for a 318 gallon tank..

are the xp3's as good as the eheim?

[piranha45]

the 2nd option sounds better, but i havent used the actual filters myself

[SteveO]

Go with a Eheim 2250, or two 2217s. Absolutely silent, and no maintenance for 3+ months.

[luistijerina]

:thumbsup: i have an xp3 and they are verey silent. i bought it 2 months ago and i have not done any
maintenance yet . they are also very powerful.

[iheartfishies]

well I have it narrowed down to this either 1 eheim 2028 for $215.00w/media
and 2 emporer 400's

or 2 filstar xp 3's $99.00 and 2 emporer 400's I will also add 1 penguin 660 powerhead w/reverse flow and pre filter for airation

what do you guys think about this? with the 2 xp3's its rated for a 510 gallon tank

with the eheim 2028 its rated for a 318 gallon tank..

are the xp3's as good as the eheim?


XP's own..... :headbang2

The emporer 400's I have rock...the only problem is...

when the power goes out...they completely empty.
Then, when the power goes back on, they have to be RE-Primed.
If you're asleep this entire time, or at work....the motor burns out...and fast.

I've had to exchange my filter at my work because of that, a couple times.
Maybe it's just me.
Maybe I just SUCK. :cry:

[dodgefreak8]

well I went with the 2 xp3's and 2 emporer 400's. I will also run a powerhead with filter.. thanks for all the replys.. does anyone have any suggestions for bio filtration and mechanical filtration media in the xp3's?