Lighting and Sunsun Canister Filter

[Aparker2005]

Getting our 125 gallon aquarium this weekend! Coming from our 55 this is gonna be a huge jump. I'm wondering how good my Emperor 400 and Bio wheel 350, plus 1 Sunsun 304 canister will do? I think the 304 is their biggest anyway. We will eventually be adding another. Can I eventually take the hobs off and just have the 2 canisters run this size tank?

And with lighting. The tank comes with the stock hood and fluorescent lighting. For plants we will be doing mostly all java Fern and anubius. May add in some water sprite but doubtful. Will stock lights grow these fine? Tank is 26" deep.

This will be a discus tank and will have more driftwood than anything. I've had algae problems with my 55s and finnex planted plus light. I don't do co2 and only add excel but it doesn't seem to help. I'd like to avoid the hair algae and bba in this tank if possible. Thanks.

 

[boldtogether]

Getting our 125 gallon aquarium this weekend! Coming from our 55 this is gonna be a huge jump. I'm wondering how good my Emperor 400 and Bio wheel 350, plus 1 Sunsun 304 canister will do? I think the 304 is their biggest anyway. We will eventually be adding another. Can I eventually take the hobs off and just have the 2 canisters run this size tank?

And with lighting. The tank comes with the stock hood and fluorescent lighting. For plants we will be doing mostly all java Fern and anubius. May add in some water sprite but doubtful. Will stock lights grow these fine? Tank is 26" deep.

This will be a discus tank and will have more driftwood than anything. I've had algae problems with my 55s and finnex planted plus light. I don't do co2 and only add excel but it doesn't seem to help. I'd like to avoid the hair algae and bba in this tank if possible. Thanks.

Ever think of Oto cats for algae? Great for planted tanks for cleaning the leaves of plants without damage and they like bog wood....perfect. Just a suggestion....
As far as lighting, a 26" depth is fairly deep for a 125 so a higher wattage fluorescent bulb or a 6000k color would be needed. I just saw at Lowe's LED T12 and T8 fluorescent tube replacement bulbs. Way brighter, less monthly cost and last forever....plus, they will work in the housing you have...assuming the housing is standard.

 

[Aparker2005]

Those t8 bulbs would be perfect. Cheap and won't have to spend a hundred or so on new lights.

 

[milkman407]

i have a sunsun 304 on my 40 gallon breeder (planted) and it provides a medium amount of flow, I think you'd need about 3 of them on a 125g to be honest.

 

[fishnatics]

I run 2 sunsun 304b and a xp3 on my 135gallon. I feed heavily. I have 9 catfish ranging from 3"-8" and 18 exodons so my bio-load is pretty heavy. Depends on how stocked your tank is.

 

[Red_Man]

If your plan is to keep Discus you will need to keep your HOBs and canister to aid keeping the water to their liking. I have heard/read that the SunSun canisters are lack luster. Way over rated specs. If you like canisters look into a fluval FX5, or if you are a DIY guy, make a couple sumps out of 20g talls and some DIY overflows. Just remember to put the sumps in the stand BEFORE you start filling the tank with anything.
The stock light is only good for viewing light and growing algae. Swap the bulb or upgrade your lighting to LEDs. Personally I don't think T8s cut the mustard anymore. There are very nice LED grow lights available now. $100-$1,000. Take your pick. Good luck!