Adding a second filter

[Geoey]

I have an fx5 filter which is great i have found a limitation when i use carbon or any polishing pads, purigen bags ect as they only last a day or 2 before they are clogged and the fx5 starts to take in small amounts of air due to the large negative pressure so i have filled all 3 levels with bio media and it will be purely used as a bio filter from now on.
Now my question is i am thinking about an in-tank power filter to run finer grade pads, purigen and carbon to really clean the water well.
What would be a good model of in-tank power filter that would do this that is easy to service and looks good as it will be part of the tank furniture and has a good turnover rate for a 220 gal?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated , the best i can think of is the fluval u4 but it seems a bit small.

 

[Geoey]

or not lol

 

[fobrinkle]

I don't think you will find an in tank filter big enough for you. Try an AC110 HOB filter. They work great and are easy to setup as a water polisher or bio filter.

 

[CLDarnell]

Hi

I don't have Fluvals or any experience with them, so I chose to not respond to your post. But...I will reply with the thought of canisters in general. You'll notice most keepers here run multiple filters on their tanks. There's a few benefits to this. Also, most don't use carbon and only a few ever use Purigen.

Why are you thinking of an in tank filter? Especially one that big? I would think it would take up a lot of your real estate, plus not be as aesthetic as an HOB or second canister. My only experience with in tanks is a small one in my turtle tank so again, I don't have enough experience to make recommendations.

I would suggest another complete canister filter. Preferably another FX5 so you could stock up on similar media. It sounds to me like you might be over stocked since the FX5 shouldn't have too much trouble filtering a 220. Don't worry, most of us are over-stocked lol

On my 150, I have a Rena XP4 and two AC110s. You could go with a similar set up, adding one or two HOBs or one more powerful canister. I would set up both systems with mechanical and bio filtration. When you take one filter down for cleaning, the other filter can keep things going in your tank until the cleaned filter gets seeded again.

Sorry...maybe not the advice you're looking for. But based on my experience and from what I have read and researched, I think you would be much better off in this situation.

Good luck!

 

[Spiritofthesoul]

Get a filter with a lower flowrate for mechanical and chemical process. This allows more contact time for carbon to work. Your FX5 should already have plenty of biological fitration.

 

[pi-eyed]

I agree with the ac110. Wonderful filter!!! I have 2 ac110's on my 180g plus a canister with no issues. I also agree with not taking up real estate in your tank as mentioned above. I also run another 180g with canister,emperor 350 hob, and I use two powerheads with built in sponge filters in the tank. The powerheads are 268/gph and were under 20$ each from harbor freight.

Hope this helps,
Chris

 

[Geoey]

Hi

I don't have Fluvals or any experience with them, so I chose to not respond to your post. But...I will reply with the thought of canisters in general. You'll notice most keepers here run multiple filters on their tanks. There's a few benefits to this. Also, most don't use carbon and only a few ever use Purigen.

Why are you thinking of an in tank filter? Especially one that big? I would think it would take up a lot of your real estate, plus not be as aesthetic as an HOB or second canister. My only experience with in tanks is a small one in my turtle tank so again, I don't have enough experience to make recommendations.

I would suggest another complete canister filter. Preferably another FX5 so you could stock up on similar media. It sounds to me like you might be over stocked since the FX5 shouldn't have too much trouble filtering a 220. Don't worry, most of us are over-stocked lol

On my 150, I have a Rena XP4 and two AC110s. You could go with a similar set up, adding one or two HOBs or one more powerful canister. I would set up both systems with mechanical and bio filtration. When you take one filter down for cleaning, the other filter can keep things going in your tank until the cleaned filter gets seeded again.

Sorry...maybe not the advice you're looking for. But based on my experience and from what I have read and researched, I think you would be much better off in this situation.

Good luck!

I agree with all of you guys about the ac110 i had one on a 125 gal which was my tank as i was growing up which kept anything aquatic i could catch from eels to barramundi to frogs ect ect ect or that mum would let me buy from the pet shop and never let me down ever for years and years.
BUT i have the tank filled to the top with the hood as a small wired in cage/basking area for the turtle so HOB filters are not an option unfortunately.
So i need an in tank filter that can take a big pressure differential to run fine carbon and purigen ect i am on a quest for the cleanest water in the world lol.

 

[xthao3]

dude, carbon's overrated you don't really need it, biomax and those sponges in the fx5 will keep your tank crystal clear already