510 gallon filtration

[Chicxulub]

Help me, MFK!

I am building a 510 gallon tank. I am undecided as to which filtration method I should go with. All three options have strong pros and some cons. I'm undecided as to what the best way to go would be.

Option 1- Sumps.
I am considering adding integral sumps to the stand when I construct it. I would do two large sumps side by side under the tank either built from wood and wetsuit or used 125s that I buy off of say, Craigslist. The problem with this that concerns me is how difficult it would be to get to the sumps to perform maintenance. I am also very nervous about the idea of flooding my house with a non-enclosed system.

Option 2- A battery of canister filters.
In this option, I would go the route of 4-6 FX5s under the tank, each loaded down with bio, and a pair of Magnum 350s for water polishing. The main problem with this is that maintenance would be a nightmare, but I suppose I could get creative and make a backflush system.

Option 3- An Ultima II filter.
This is my ideal choice, but these filters are somewhat prohibitively expensive. If I can find one used, I'd jump all over it. The problem is that when people get these, they seem to like to hang on to them!

Option 4- ???
If anyone has any ideas for something I haven't considered yet, please let me know.

 

[Abruskin]

I would recommend sumps because they are so customizable and can fit your specific needs


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[snake8myelbo]

Sump for sure!

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[Jc1119]

A well thought out sump would be the way up go. Ultimata wouldn't be bad either, but I think the sump would be my choice.


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[Nova 8]

Gotta love a good sump

 

[Pharaoh]

I would probably go with an ultima f I was setting up something that big.

 

[Rayne]

I'd go ultima. You would have your piece of mind since its a closed loop and it could make your maintenance a breeze. A well designed sump would also be a very good option since they are infinitely configurable and a good place to hide equipment.

I wouldnt even consider going the the canister route. The cost of 4-6 FX5's would put you at around the same price as a Ultima and pump. The maintenance would be a nightmare and the electrical consumption would be terrible.

 

[isde02]

I would set up a sump and run the ultima on a closed loop

 

[DB junkie]

Why 2 sumps side by side?

After getting a price on that Wlim filter I bet the choice is easy.....

 

[pacu mom]

From everything I've read, a well designed sump should be able to provide all the biological and mechanical filtration your tank would need. However, I too have some of the same concerns. With frequent power outages in our area ,
even with a generator, I decided not to use a sump our primary means of filtration. We're going with Ultimas for primary biological filtration and will have other mechanical closed loop systems.

If you decide to go the Ultima route, be aware that some people feel they don't have adequate mechanical filtration with the Ultima and have added filter socks. If you find yourself needing more mechanical filtration, consider a spa filter like a Pentair Rainbow RTL filter. RTLs have provided us with extreme mechanical filtration, and I wouldn't set up a system without RTLs.

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