2 canister filter for 180g tank

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CishFhip

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 11, 2023
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Hi guys,

I am going to be getting a 180g tank for just 1 BD ray but this is my first time getting a tank so big. A lot of people are saying that I should use a sump filter but I do not have the space under the tank for this. Is it possible to use 2 canister with 1400/L rate instead? Are there any other ways to filter if not multiple canister

Thanks in advance!
 
I've never kept rays as they are illegal here in Texas. However, I have matten filters installed on my tanks in the fishroom and they are almost perfect!

If you can get used to the look, there is no better flow or filter efficiency per energy unit than a full matten filter. I use them for tanks of big SA cichlids and they keep the tanks rock solid. If you want something that looks a little cleaner, then the corner matten filters are great as well. They only need to be removed and clean once a year or less, and there are no consumable parts to replace monthly or whatever. Just a sponge sheet and a pump. The only part that might not be your favorite is the air pump and bubble noise if the tank is in a quiet area.

Here is my 220g (6'x2'x2.5') tank with two matten corner filters from Swiss Tropicals.

20221125_182859.jpg

and some 125's with full matten filters

Room2.jpg
 
Easier to maintain and better for Stingray imo.
Cannister Filters will need to be cleaned often vs a sump.

I do not really mind cleaning the filters as long as they can do the job

I've never kept rays as they are illegal here in Texas. However, I have matten filters installed on my tanks in the fishroom and they are almost perfect!

If you can get used to the look, there is no better flow or filter efficiency per energy unit than a full matten filter. I use them for tanks of big SA cichlids and they keep the tanks rock solid. If you want something that looks a little cleaner, then the corner matten filters are great as well. They only need to be removed and clean once a year or less, and there are no consumable parts to replace monthly or whatever. Just a sponge sheet and a pump. The only part that might not be your favorite is the air pump and bubble noise if the tank is in a quiet area.

Your tanks look absolutely stunning! I love how clean looking they are. Thanks for bringing up the matten filters, I have never heard of them until today. I, maybe the minority, love hearing the sound of bubble noise, it is calming to me. Just spent the last 7 hours researching over them and impressed is the least I can say. I saw that there are many calculators out there of how thick the matten filters should be but I do not know how strong my air pump need to be, can you help me with that?
 
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So I've purchased most of my HMF kits from Swiss tropicals or I've just purchased sheets of foam from Jehmco and made my own. I have to say, the corner matten filter kits from swiss tropicals are my favorite. Once installed, they look like the tanks with a built- in corner overflow. The lift tube that comes with it is of a special design so that there is no air stone to replace, and it uses 400 liters per hour of air. I have dual corner filters in my 210g, so if you do that you would need a pump that puts out at least 800 let's per hour.

And if i may make one more recommendation... a linear piston air pump. They last a long time with little to no maintenance and are very quiet. I'm just not sure if you can get one small enough as they're designed to run multiple tanks. Jehmco maybe?
 
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The smallest linear poison air pump from Jehmco puts out 2,000 lph of air. Too much.
 
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