I have a 125gallon I am setting up and I was wondering what everyones preference is as far as cost, cleanablity and efficiency?? I found a External stage 5 canister on amazon I was thinking about it is rated at 520 gph. I also found a Toms Aquarium RP3 Plus Wet/Dry filter, it is a 700gph. I am thinking about a couple Oscars or other cichlids for my tank. I have never had either type of filter so any input would be great. I have read and read and read all the posts I can and still can't find a definitive decision deciding factor. PLEASE HELP!! Thanks
Canister or Wet/Dry??
- Thread starter Bcox
- Start date
I find a sump (aka wet dry (sort of)) a great place to put heaters, pumps and filter socks out of the aquarium, and out of sight. I also find doing maintenance on a sump, easy, and because its easy, its also more apt to be done more often. I also add new water to my sump, as opposed to adding it directly to the tank proper. This seems to help buffer against accidental temp changes or water supersaturated with oxygen, that can be dangerous to fish.
You will need an overflow (which may be included in the wet dry you mention, and a pump rated at approx 750gph. With a sump, you can also add more tanks and run them on the same sump, I run multiple tanks on each of my sumps using pumps rated at 1200 and 1800 gph. With this configuration you can even run aquaponics if desired, you have many options.
or planted sumps where fry, or an injure fish could be kept
I have made inexpensive sumps from barrels
You will need an overflow (which may be included in the wet dry you mention, and a pump rated at approx 750gph. With a sump, you can also add more tanks and run them on the same sump, I run multiple tanks on each of my sumps using pumps rated at 1200 and 1800 gph. With this configuration you can even run aquaponics if desired, you have many options.
or planted sumps where fry, or an injure fish could be kept
I have made inexpensive sumps from barrels
Canisters are great on smaller tanks, and in enclosed areas where a sump wont fit. But if I had the room to redo my tank the way I really want then I would definitely run a sump. That way I would have more flexibility and and options when setting it up.