Best filter option for a 125
- Thread starter Crazy mike
- Start date
Nah, I didn't take your post as a "back-handed complement" at all, Jaws. I'm just clarifying my position as to why I always recommend these 2 brands
Yep, that's exactly how I took it as well
I run an FX-6 and two aquaclear 110s on my 125. Never had any issues with the FX-6 but everyone has there own preferences.
I dont wanna derail op's thread but ive only been back in the hobby for a few years now so kind of relearned everyrhing all over again im starting to see xraycers point on thinking because something costs more doesnt make it better. Im stsrting to look at things differently
I paid up for an Eheim because I knew they worked. If I'd known about these cheaper alternatives back then, and knew they worked, I'd have tried them out. I work away from home alot, and I really really need to have low maintenance, reliable stuff. That's Eheim. But, no question, Eheim costs more.
Hey OP. Sound advice thus far. If I can throw my .02 I would recommend going to sumps. You can do it cheaply by DIYing it all, or you can go expensive and purchase ready to go overflows and sumps. For a sump all you need is a 20g or bigger (depends on your stand space), a pump (I would recommend two for safety), an overflow (two small or one big), filter socks (I just purchased 10 for $43 to my door), and some media (ceramic rings are the most common.) Another kick is that the filter socks only need to be changed every 3-7 days depending on how messy your tank is and the socks are reusable! When you put your last sock in the sump, throw all your used socks in the washing machine (There are many ways to clean them.) No more filter cartridges to replace!!!! The sump media itself, if you mechanically filter very well, only needs to be overhauled like every 4-6 months or so! My old Fluval canisters would go three months and then the prefilters would clog causing the need to clean the whole thing out. Anywho.... my .02 Good luck!
+1 to this. I ran canisters and HOB's for many years. Just recently switched to a sump. I don't think I'd have a tank over 75 gallons without one now that I've experienced a sump set up. I really like the fact that pulling the waste out of the system is as easy as switching out socks. My mechanical filtration gets cleaned weekly now versus my canisters that I would go months without opening because they suck to clean.
Before this system I was running an Eheim 2262 and AC110 on a 120. I'm a real big fan of the 2262 for a tank over 100 gallons, but it surely isn't the cheapest option.
Thanks everyone I'm leaning towards a sump, I have a 29 tall empty that I could use or would you recommend a 20 tall? Also what kind of pump would I need? I've never setup a sump so this all new territory to me.
I have a 110 with an fx6 and an Emperor 400 on 13 oranda/black moor. The fx6 is pretty good provided you populate the baskets correctly with media. I'm running the outer sponges, then top to bottom: one bio sponge pad, one blue pad, one carbon bag (to be removed soon), half box of biomax in first tray, second tray full of biomax, third tray full of biomax with carbon pad on bottom. IMO, the fx6 has a lot of bypass between the baskets, creates too many micro bubbles, and the outlet nozzles are only marginally effective. I still like the filter though; it is a quality product.
But going forward, I'm running a single eheim 2217 and a homemade trickle w/d on my 125s. I'm doing the Serilite towers with a combination of 50/15/5 micron floss pads, 44 pot scrubbers, and 5 gallons of bio balls. My tanks will present 4-5 feet of head and I'm wanting 5-6x turnover just from the sump, so I'm trying out the Ecoplus 1056 and 1267 pumps. I was disappointed that my first 1267 arrived with a broken ceramic shaft. I also have an Eheim 1262 that is gorgeous and worthy of praise. The pump is the heart of the system...don't skimp. I will probably use this Eheim pump on all my sumps if the Ecoplus models don't work out. I can get three 1267s for what a single Eheim costs. There is a decent sticky on choosing a pump.
Go with the larger tank if you can, just for the overflow capacity. Also helps minimize the impact of evaporation.
But going forward, I'm running a single eheim 2217 and a homemade trickle w/d on my 125s. I'm doing the Serilite towers with a combination of 50/15/5 micron floss pads, 44 pot scrubbers, and 5 gallons of bio balls. My tanks will present 4-5 feet of head and I'm wanting 5-6x turnover just from the sump, so I'm trying out the Ecoplus 1056 and 1267 pumps. I was disappointed that my first 1267 arrived with a broken ceramic shaft. I also have an Eheim 1262 that is gorgeous and worthy of praise. The pump is the heart of the system...don't skimp. I will probably use this Eheim pump on all my sumps if the Ecoplus models don't work out. I can get three 1267s for what a single Eheim costs. There is a decent sticky on choosing a pump.
Go with the larger tank if you can, just for the overflow capacity. Also helps minimize the impact of evaporation.
