Well, I picked up the 150g Tall today. It included a stand with built-in power strip, 2 HOB filters, M1200 powerhead, Eheim 300w heater, air pump, python, some xlarge cichlid caves, 3 unopened 25lb bags of dolomite substrate, and probably over 50lbs of large driftwood pieces The entire tank is tempered starphire glass. So now my quest for advice is on filtration...should I just use HOB filters or build an overflow to a sump and plumb a return over the edge?
Which one?
- Thread starter charlie10tango
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Well, I picked up the 150g Tall today. It included a stand with built-in power strip, 2 HOB filters, M1200 powerhead, Eheim 300w heater, air pump, python, some xlarge cichlid caves, 3 unopened 25lb bags of dolomite substrate, and probably over 50lbs of large driftwood pieces The entire tank is tempered starphire glass. So now my quest for advice is on filtration...should I just use HOB filters or build an overflow to a sump and plumb a return over the edge?
All 4 panels are starphire? All tempered? Who built it?
Edit: king of diy vids on YouTube has an overflow build and an accompanying update to make it look better. If the back panel is not tempered drilling and configuring a basic overflow like the one design in setup and filtration. A sump is just so much better imo. If not a couple hobs for mechanical and a big canister like the sun sun 304b for bio.
Edit: king of diy vids on YouTube has an overflow build and an accompanying update to make it look better. If the back panel is not tempered drilling and configuring a basic overflow like the one design in setup and filtration. A sump is just so much better imo. If not a couple hobs for mechanical and a big canister like the sun sun 304b for bio.
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I'm not sure of the manufacturer. There is a "tempered glass" sticker on the front and back and bottom panel. I didn't see a sticker on the side panels, but the side panels reacted the same way when doing a polarized filter test. I watched both videos again last night...I'm pretty sure I've watched every one of his videos at least twice by now! I'm leaning towards an over the top overflow. I just wasn't sure if anyone had specific experience with them.
If you're going that route, skip the diy pvc versions and invest in one or two of the CPR hob overflows. The pvc overflows are not reliable. Otherwise, a combo of hob filters and canisters will still do a great job. Probably two AC110's and an FX6, Eheim 2262 or SunSun 304B. Or, two canisters and one AC110.
how would a diy overflow be less reliable than store bought one? It seems like they work the same way...please dont take this as arguing, I just have no experience with either. Another question...why would a canister filter work any different than an overflow into a sump? aren't they both pulling water over the top and pumping it back up over the top? (again...never used either)
My original plan was to have 2 overflows, each would run into a DIY 5 gallon "canister filter", those would empty into a sump, return pump would be in the sump and back up to the tank.
Over the top overflows have the general problems of being unstable, meaning prone to lose prime or flow. So you're pumping water in and the overflow loses its prime and you're dumping all that water on the floor. Read this post for better info than I can give you.
https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/diy-overflow-101-the-mysteries-explained.219465/
https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/diy-overflow-101-the-mysteries-explained.219465/
