Canister/Sponge filter combo?

[OutbackJack]

I see why people put two FX6s on big tanks now. Usually for messy fish like Cichlids, I know.

However, a while back I scored a Fluval FX2 for sale from Petsmart. Got it damn near 40% off. It filters my tank pretty well and I don't have a lot of "messy" fish but I was curious if I could run a large sponge filter (rated 180 gallons) along side of it to help me with my bioload. (which isn't much, in my mind). I do plan on getting another FX series to run with it but I'm not ready to drop 200+ dollars again right now lol

150 Gallon tank.

8x Bloodfin Tetras
4x Dojo Loaches
4x Otocinclus
2x S.A Bumblebee Catfish
2x juvenile Bala Sharks (I had 4 but two died after a day. Petsmart fish, unfortunately)
1x Albino Pleco

 

[celebrist]

I have sponge filters in all my tanks in addition to can, hob, sump, or whatnot

 

[litigator666]

I also have sponges on my tank. I stacked them vertically (2-3 high) to get the max capacity and save on space.

 

[dogofwar]

You can also use a coarse sponge on the intake of the canister to reduce the amount of gunk that gets sucked into the filter.

But yes - I try to keep extra sponge filters running in tanks so that I can use them to seed new tanks.

 

[OutbackJack]

You can also use a coarse sponge on the intake of the canister to reduce the amount of gunk that gets sucked into the filter.

But yes - I try to keep extra sponge filters running in tanks so that I can use them to seed new tanks.

yea, we do that in my fiancee's HOB filter for her tank. REALLY saves time on maintenance since it's usually the sponge filter that's dirty.