I had a sump on my 240...built it myself...probably part of the problem but it was a PITA mess. My stand was built wrong and I cant fit a tank style wetdry. I had a 75 I was going to use but it wouldnt fit and a 55 would be too small. So i built one and it sucked...and had socks...4 4" probably too small but still. All my other tanks at work (20 or so) have a HOB or canister and are a breeze to maintain compared to the sump I had. So I want canisters this time...if the stand was different I would reconsider but its not. If the tank was much bigger I would really want the sump too but I think this size might still be manageable with the canister...I hope lol.
3 fx5's on a 375?
- Thread starter NOLAGT
- Start date
Yeah, just add a canister then. The aquatop/sunsun would be a cost effective way to boost your filtration but they only flow around 375/400 gph w media. Fx5 costs more but flows 50% more and you already are farmiliar with them.
I was thinking 2 AT400's for the UV and the 5.8" hose for 2 inline hydor heaters. But I have a 36w UV already I could run off another fx5 with the 1" hose and just have 2 black heaters in the tank on the black background behind a 4" bubble wall I will have in there. Less intakes in the tank that way and they all look the same. I also think the fx5 has more sponge area for better mech filtration with my sa/ca's.
I'd do another fx5 then. The uv's on the at filter are pretty decent for green water, but your 36watt will be better long term
Its mainly for the water clarity im using the UV for. When I had 2 400w MH on the 240 with africans if I didnt have it the water was not clear. With it the water was crystal clear. I am going to try LEDs on the new tank and want the water crystal clear...and not have to use carbon all the time...so UV it is and the bigger one will be better anyway...
I run 2 FX5s on a 125 and another 2 FX5s on a 7ft 135. I love the flow on them but I would not feel comfortable running three on a tank of the size you are talking without also using powerheads for additional flow.
Regarding FX5 vs. Eheim, remember that these are personal preferences. There are plenty of experienced hobbyists on this site who would never put that kind of money into canisters and do just fine with sponge filters.
Regarding FX5 vs. Eheim, remember that these are personal preferences. There are plenty of experienced hobbyists on this site who would never put that kind of money into canisters and do just fine with sponge filters.
curious as to how your tank is or will be doing. I will be running similar setup, I will be running 3 eheim 2260 (older models) maybe a 4th one, if I can fix the motor on the fourth. Until I can get a 110 long as a sump and pump going, once I get the sump going, I'll scale back to 2 eheims and the 110 sump. I will have 3 pumps running in the tanks for current. not always on though.
I recently set up a 180 with a fx5, 405, and 35 gal sump (loaded with bamboo and pothos, two socks, and 15 pounds of ceramic rings). Im actualy looking to put another fx5 on. I have problems with micro bubbles on my current fx5 but for the price and flow rate.....cant be beat. Good luck.
