Filtering a 120-125gallon lake tanganyika tank

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

c_man7

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jan 15, 2018
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I'm currently looking for a new upgrade tank for my 40 gallon long lake tananyika tank. I'm looking for something between 100-125. My current stock is 7 cyprichromis, 5 dwarf petricola, 1 black calvus, 1 caudopunk, 2 gold ocelattus, 2 bristlenose.

My future stock would be 12-15 cyprichromis, 6 dwarf petricola, 2 calvus, 3 punks, 3 ocelattus, 3 julies, and 2 comps. I'm thinking a 6ft 125 would be best. Its alot of smaller fish in the sub 6" range besides the calvus and comps which would take a long time to grow anyway.

My main question is filtration. Right now I'm running a sunsun 303 and an ac 70. I like the idea of running a canister/hob combo. I was originally looking at running a fx6 but the cost is a little high. So I started looking at the fx4 and ac110 combo basically the same price as the fx6. Would that combo be adequate filtration? I'm looking to get the most out the filters and filter the tank the best without wasting electricity and money. I know more is better, but I have a few other smaller tanks running so I'm trying to keep power consumption down.

I noticed the sunsun aren't very efficient filters and the fx4 is a much larger/powerful filter that uses less power.
 
FX6 or a used sump. Increase water volume and bio surface area. It’s not consuming that much more than ac110.
 
I actually just found one in a local club that's drilled. So if I do a sump can I run only the sump as my filtration?
 
Ok, I'm going to pick it up sunday. Its a 124 with dual corner overflow and dual returns, it has a 40g long 48x12x16 sump. It was set up for saltwater so I'm hoping I can retrofit the sump to work for freshwater. Any tips for a return pump as well as freshwater sump layout? I've only used sumps in saltwater.
 
Any tips for a return pump as well as freshwater sump layout? I've only used sumps in saltwater.
For return pump I like to use internal pumps such as jebao dct and Rio. A lot of people on this forum actually using these brands.

Sump layout for salt is simple. As the water hit the sump it will need to go through pads or foam block for mechanic filtration. If you use ceramic media then it should be fully submerged. Bio balls works better when it’s not fully submerged.
 
For return pump I like to use internal pumps such as jebao dct and Rio. A lot of people on this forum actually using these brands.

Sump layout for salt is simple. As the water hit the sump it will need to go through pads or foam block for mechanic filtration. If you use ceramic media then it should be fully submerged. Bio balls works better when it’s not fully submerged.


I think the sump goes drain section, bubble wall skimmer section bubble wall refugium section bubble wall return section. So basically just fill the skimmer and fuge section with semerged bio?

Also I ran jebao on all my salt tanks do you think the dcp-8000 would be enough I have one laying around or should I go up a size
 
I meant layout for fresh is simple. Sorry for the typo.

Sizing a sump pump depends on your drain size, # of drains, and turnover rate you want. On my 125g I used a 30g sump with a 6-7x turnover rate. 1 inch drain can do estimated 600gph.
 
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Ok It looks like two either 1 or 1 1/2" drains and two 3/4" returns I'll know for sure when I pick it up. Im trading my innovative marine 25 lagoon and stand for the 125, stand, canopy, and sump so I feel I'm getting a good deal just needs a good cleaning. Has dried on algae and calcium buildup.
 
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