I'm looking to get a 125 or 180 gallon aquarium but was wondering if it would be getter getting 3 aquaclear 110 or a fluval fx4. The tank will have a jaguar and a red devil. They are currently in a 75 grow UT tank with 2 aquaclear 70's and live plants. I do 50% water change every week.
3 aquaclear 110's or a fluval fx4
- Thread starter erik123
- Start date
I have two AC 110's on my 120 long. It's plenty of filtration and does a good job. The FX 4 would be a win too. It's more quiet than the AC's, might be just a little better filtering machine too, but you will have to deal with the typical unpleasant monthly task of cleaning out a canister filter.
I do like aquaclear. I never had a canister filter. Are they a pain to clean when the time comes? The other option I was thinking was starting with the ac 110's then eventually adding the fx4. Would it be best run the 110's on the 75 galling to give them a head start as far as getting the bacteria bolt up in it about a month in advance?
I would look at 2 seachem 110 HOB filters. I replaced all my aqua clears with them. u can load them with whatever media u want just like canisters. huge baskets on them and they self prime if ever the power goes out. also have surface skimmers on them. these filters are made by sicca and are second to none in HOB filters in my opinion. I just luv em
I have both on my tanks, AC110's and an FX4.
Big difference is ease of maintaining them.
The ACs are right there, pop the lid and your in the guts. With a canister you have to disconnect the feed and return hose. Then move the can out so you can work in it. Then getting it all back together after cleaning. But dont have to do it as often.
What I have discovered after running them together about a year now is the A.C. does the brunt of the mechanical filtration with its sponge needing cleaned out every two weeks or so. When I set up the FX4 I checked it after a month and it was as clean as the day I started using it. I went 3 months and was nearly the same, almost spotless.
In conjunction these two work great.
Big difference is ease of maintaining them.
The ACs are right there, pop the lid and your in the guts. With a canister you have to disconnect the feed and return hose. Then move the can out so you can work in it. Then getting it all back together after cleaning. But dont have to do it as often.
What I have discovered after running them together about a year now is the A.C. does the brunt of the mechanical filtration with its sponge needing cleaned out every two weeks or so. When I set up the FX4 I checked it after a month and it was as clean as the day I started using it. I went 3 months and was nearly the same, almost spotless.
In conjunction these two work great.
I just looked into the sea Chem and I think I'll try one. What I may do is start with a aquaclear 110 and a seaChem. I do like what I've seen on the fx4 and fx6. has anyone had any problems with a fx4 leaking? That's my main concern about a canister filter is it starting to leak when I'm at work.
If you do proper maintenance, like lubricate the o-rings every time you open the canister and change the o-rings on a regular basis at the connection points, whether every year or every 2-3 years, most quality canisters will not leak. I know the aqua clear HOBs can also leak where the motor connects to the housing.