180 gallon filtration with overflows

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I know, I like it, but two of them would be too expensive. I need to find a filtration solution that uses BOTH overflows.
sump! No better or cheeper option. A sump can be as easy or intricate ae you want it to be. All it is is a place to keep your filtration stuff and any other equipment like heaters so its not in tank. Sumps are way easier to clean then canister filters too. You don't need K1. All you need is mechanical filtration and a place for your nitrifying bacteria to grow, cheap easy. Your biggest expense will be the return pump, and there are so many options that it really can be fairly cheep too. I went to a local grow shop and picked up a 1000gph pump for $50 it good for 6.5' of head and its the craziest thing it pumps most of that 1000gph all the way to 6' then falls on its face. As long as your tank isn't 6' over the sump it would work fine. Although id suggest maybe a jebao dc pump for a little more $.
 
I've built filters before, if I went with a sump, I'd want to go with a moving bed, but like I mentioned earlier, I feel like if I built a filter, I would likely have to make revisions to get it working efficiently, and I don't want to do that. I want to go with canisters. Would two of those AquaTop ones work? Are there any Eheim canisters that are cheaper than the FX6 that would work?

Why go with a moving bed? A simple submerged sump is stupid easy to maintain and work like a champ. Literally a ~half filled tank with mech filtration, bio media, then a pump on the far side.
 
Unfortunately this project is on hold for a while because I noticed that the top plastic frame on the 180 is cracked. Does anyone know where I can get a replacement plastic frame?
 
Unfortunately this project is on hold for a while because I noticed that the top plastic frame on the 180 is cracked. Does anyone know where I can get a replacement plastic frame?
Buy some glassbits from your local glass-shop and silicone them in place instead of a plastic frame.
 
I would go with a mm or tow thinner then your tank. But thats just me. If you wanna feel extra safe the order the same thickness as your tank. Order two pieces 5cm wide and as long as the inside of your tank minus 1mm on each side for some room for silicone then one peace thats has same length as your tank inside front to back minus 1mm on each side for silicone. That piece can be 10cm wide.
 
MonsterFishKeepers.com