Economical Filtration for my 600 gallon

[HardBodyBullies1]

How' it going MFK!
I just purchased a 600 gal and need to get some good filtration. It has an overflow box on one end of the tank and I have 6 holes drilled in the bottom of the tank. I also have a 150 gal sump for it.
Any suggestions on filtration that will be good affordable and also easy on the electrical bill as well?

 

[jimmie d wad]

i used banded dacron, for quilts, and a lot of plastic scrubbies from the dollar store. I run a reeflow return pump

 

[PDRed302]

Plastic scrubies as mentioned above as well as cheap bio balls from amazon, lava rock does a pretty fine job as well; you just have to wash the hell out of it.

I've only used dinner mag drive and eheim pumps, neither of which I kept track of the electrical cost.

 

[PDRed302]

Make sure to keep us updated, I'd like to see this setup running!

 

[Hendre]

Expanded clay used for hydroponics is pretty good too, just floats so in weighted bags would probably be best for that method. What the other guys mentioned is also pretty good!

 

[HardBodyBullies1]

Make sure to keep us updated, I'd like to see this setup running!

Thank you I will. I have a buddy said he runs 2 pool pumps on his 700 gallon. He said be prepared to add in another 200 on the electricity bill. Would pond pumps mag or ehiem be better?

 

[Yoimbrian]

It's easy to calculate cost from wattage. just divide watts by 1000 to get kW, mulipty by hours in a month, then multiply by price per kWhr in your area.

To keep the energy down don't use any pressurized filtration and keep your return plumbing large and minimal bends and short as possible.

Look at pump pressure tables and wattage and see what you can get away with. Lowest energy tends to be D.C. Pumps, like red dragon, but are also way more up front. Reeflo I think are some of the best bang for the buck.

I personally think too few people consider energy bills when designing their system, so I'm glad you are.

 

[duanes]

I used Mag Drive pumps for many years, and found them a bit noisy, so started switching to Laguna pond pumpss as the Mags wore out (@10+ year lifespan on each Mag). The Laguna's use a little less power, give off less heat, and are quieter.
Pool pumps are as a rule, even more noisy, and I an not surprised at the elec bill, I recently moved from a place I rented with a pool, and only running the pool filter 5 hours per day, added considerably to the bill. To reduce noise they needed to be bolted onto brick work, and put in a separate room away from the house to keep the noise stress from the hum of motor and vibration far away.
I use lava rock as inexpensive biomedia, and filter socks, and scrubbies for mechanical in my sumps.

 

[HardBodyBullies1]

It's easy to calculate cost from wattage. just divide watts by 1000 to get kW, mulipty by hours in a month, then multiply by price per kWhr in your area.

To keep the energy down don't use any pressurized filtration and keep your return plumbing large and minimal bends and short as possible.

Look at pump pressure tables and wattage and see what you can get away with. Lowest energy tends to be D.C. Pumps, like red dragon, but are also way more up front. Reeflo I think are some of the best bang for the buck.

I personally think too few people consider energy bills when designing their system, so I'm glad you are.

Thank you very much. Some great tips. I have to be mindful especially since I don't look at the bills I just pay them. However my wife does look at the bills and when she sees this hobby is getting to expensive she won' be happy. Lol!!

 

[HardBodyBullies1]

Thanks everyone for there input, it has been very helpful so far. It will be a few months before I set this aquarium up, so if you guys can continue with great advise it is very well appreciated.
Once I get started I will be be doing step by step updates. This is my largest tank
I've ever had and super excited to get her rolling.
Thanks everyone!