Best canister for low water level tank?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
N

Natalie

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Aug 31, 2007
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Florida
I'm at a loss...

I'm interested in getting a 180g tank but only filling it half full, which would be 12" of water. I'm a big fan of FX5 but the owner's manual says that the filter intake should be 7.8" or less below the rim of the aquarium.

Are there any good canisters out there that will do fine with the low water level? Specifically, I guess I need a canister that will handle the 90g of water, but whose intake can handle the shallow water. I know that I could drill a hole in the back of the tank and insert an FX5 intake that way, but I'd rather not do that.

Bioload will be one Midas cichlid. Thanks!
 
I've had great luck with the Eheim Classic filters for this type of setup. Used to have a 110gal half full with a brackish setup; archers etc... Filters had no problem with the water level and did a great job.
 
Gallons;4524572; said:
I've had great luck with the Eheim Classic filters for this type of setup. Used to have a 110gal half full with a brackish setup; archers etc... Filters had no problem with the water level and did a great job.
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Wow, great thanks! Any problems with priming after water changes and such?
 
Yea the ehiem classic canisters are the ones that you should look j to getting. The large one is the 2217 and it's gph is at 263. Cleaning is no problem, repriming is easy. Let me dig up the guide on how to clean the classics. Toward the end it shows you how to reprime for startup.
 
Ancient_Fish_Master;4524764; said:
why would your water be low?
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I get asked this question a lot.... I'm doing it for two reasons. One, I'm renting the place I live right now and I get nervous about filling a 180g tank all the way. My midas is currently 3" so he has plenty of growing to do before I'll need to use the full height of the tank.

Also, I really like the look of ripariums and paludariums. I always have... it gives that neat "above/below" water level look. I plan to maybe plant some terrestrial plants above the water line, but still allow 12-16 inches of water depth for my fish. I'm going to put a 3D background in, to give it a really cool riverine look.

~~~

Thanks for the help about the Eheims. Is there any reason to go with the classic canister over one of the Eheim Pro models? I really appreciate the help!
 
I guess a picture's worth a thousand words. This is the type of look I'm going for with the tank, except the water level will reach about halfway up rather than just a few inches as seen here.

ama_1.jpg
 
you gotta check out the 1700 gal stingray river thread on here. I can't remember where it's at but ive never seen anything like it
 
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