What would you guys recommend for filtration on a 120g SA cichlid tank? I have not yet narrowed down by fish list, but it will be cichlids and maybe a birchir. Im reading that HOB filters are easier to maintain, cheaper, and provide just as much filtration as a canister filter. Is this true?
filtration for 120g
- Thread starter yemista7
- Start date
A sump would be the best filtration and yes HOB Filters will do a pretty good job combined with consistent water changes and filter maintenance..
You can get more out of a canister filter IMO. More room for media and more flow. You can also adjust the direction of the flow with a canister's output. HOB filters are great too, but if you want your flow to go a certain way (some prefer their flow from the side of their tank or produce more surface agitation), a HOB is limited as it only gives a "waterfall" affect and if you want your flow from the side, you would have to place the entire filter on the side and possibly modify the top. I run mostly canister filters and sponge filters, but I run one HOB. Again, with the "waterfall" affect, it tends to create a depression in the substrate if the tank is shallow enough. I have a AC110 on a 40B and it created a small indent on the substrate unless you place a decor piece to break up the flow.
This really breaks down into how much work you want to do during filter maintenance.
HOBs are super easy to clean take about five minutes. Get a bucket of tank water, rinse bio-rings in it, then the sponge. Return these to the filter, fill up with water plug in and done.
A cannister is much more work. Disconnect the hoses, move the filter out of the stand to work on it. Open the filter, rinse the sponges and bio-rings in tank water again, clean out the can if sand or debris are in it. Put the rings, sponges back in, get the lid back on, move it back in place after you refill it with used tank water. Reconnect the hoses and prime it if it don't have self priming, then hope that all the seals hold up.
I have two 125gallon tanks. One has two HOBs the other has two canisters. After two years now I'll tell you I rather clean ten AC110'S than a single cannister. When I get my stimulus check I will replace my canisters with AC110'S.
HOBs are super easy to clean take about five minutes. Get a bucket of tank water, rinse bio-rings in it, then the sponge. Return these to the filter, fill up with water plug in and done.
A cannister is much more work. Disconnect the hoses, move the filter out of the stand to work on it. Open the filter, rinse the sponges and bio-rings in tank water again, clean out the can if sand or debris are in it. Put the rings, sponges back in, get the lid back on, move it back in place after you refill it with used tank water. Reconnect the hoses and prime it if it don't have self priming, then hope that all the seals hold up.
I have two 125gallon tanks. One has two HOBs the other has two canisters. After two years now I'll tell you I rather clean ten AC110'S than a single cannister. When I get my stimulus check I will replace my canisters with AC110'S.
I use sumps. I would take a HOB over a canister. HOB's are quick and easy to maintain so I find they get maintained much more often (in my house atleast). Canisters sit there collecting debris... out of site, out of mind. I also like the aeration that a HOB provides that a canister usually does not.
No matter which filter type you choose water changes are a must! The only way I know of to extend a water change cycle is to clean your mechanical filtration more often. The less often your filter is cleaned the more often you will need to do water changes.
No matter which filter type you choose water changes are a must! The only way I know of to extend a water change cycle is to clean your mechanical filtration more often. The less often your filter is cleaned the more often you will need to do water changes.
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