Depending on possible bioload I prefer sump systems paired with either a hang on or cannister filter on all of my tanks that are over one hundred gallons.
Canister vs. Sump vs. HOB vs. Sponge....
- Thread starter Eclipse390
- Start date
Any filter is better than canister. Canister is only easy to set up, but PIA to clean which disincentivized frequent cleaning. Infrequent cleaning can lead to anaerobic conditions. If the O ring or any connectors fail, it can leak and drain the tank.
When I had a 180 gallon, I ran it with half Aquaclears and half canisters. I had some issues with the classic Eheims and now I run just AClears on my 135 gallon. Your tank is bigger so maybe sumps. My 135 I got used, was already drilled, but I had AClears on hand so just used that.
I have no problem running 2 x Eheim 2217 and 1 x Eheim G160 (2275) on a 240g. I like my tank to be practically dead silent as it is in the living room area where I frequent. HOB's, sump pumps, and sponges (due to air pump) are too noisy for me. I can't stand the low hum of even a wave maker. I added eheim pre-filters that I can clean every other day, and prevent too much detritus and any #20 mesh size sand into the canisters.
my 240 has a sump and with the right overflow, bean animal, and the correct pump it is completely silent. I'm converting my 125 to a sump this week using a spare 55g. IMO there is nothing better or easier to maintain. I have a tidal 75 hob and a cascade 1200 on the 125 now.
my 1200 and tidal are going to move to the 150g because its starfire glass and not drilled.
my 1200 and tidal are going to move to the 150g because its starfire glass and not drilled.
I have pretty much discontinued their use for those reasons.
I run 5 Penguin 350 in my foyer and living room tanks and they are dead silent. Silence and safety (leak proof) are my priority. The tricks I keep HOBs quiet are never let the water level drop below the spillway, and downsize the impellers to smaller model. Smaller impellers pump less water without giving up filtration capacity, but make less noise. When my Penguin 350 impellers wear out in 3 to 5 years and start to make clicking noise, I replace them with smaller 170 or 200 impeller.
I still have to try out that smaller impeller trick. Curious to see if it holds the same with ac filters.
I recently did a fishless cycle on a 125 gal using only a hydro sponge #5 combo . It was able to go from 2ppm ammonia to 0ppm in 24 hours. It was seeded with a scoop of substrate from a cycled tank. It took 4 weeks to cycle. I really just wanted to see how cheaply I could cycle the tank. I think there are a lot of expensive products especially those that need constant replacement that are unnecessary but constantly hyped by the aquarium industry.
