filtration for 90+ gallons

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rnocera

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Dec 1, 2008
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New Castle, Pennsylvania
www.herpfamily.com
I know there are a ton of questions about what's the best filter for different sized aquariums, but they're all comparing so many different things that it's hard for me to just use the search & get my answers.

I'm going to be filtering a 90 gallon aquarium with a gar, severums, bichirs, and feeders in it. I'm not sure what all else will go in, but that's pretty much what I'm planning. Right now I'm filtering a 20 gallon grow out, which is soon to be moved up to a 30 gallon grow out (apparently I'm feeding these guys Miracle Grow).

I ordered a Filstar xp3 from Drs. Foster & Smith over a month ago. It's still on backorder, and is going to be until at least the 30th- quite frankly, after waiting more than a month already, with them changing the "expected in date" every time it's supposed to be in (was supposed to be in the 12th, then the 18th, then the 26th, then the 31st, etc. . .), I don't have a clue when it will actually be in. I wouldn't be surprised if I didn't get the filter for 2 more months. I desperately need another filter, and I don't want to just buy another HOB to get me through until that XP3 comes in. I'm currently doing 75% water changes daily on my axolotls, because they're in a 20 gallon with a sponge and a duetto until I get another filter in. The problem here is, I'm getting the xp3 for $118 shipped (using the CK code, and a $10 off coupon), and I really don't want to lose getting an xp3 for that price.

So, as I see it, my options are as I see it- I could cancel my order for the xp3 and buy:
An xp3 elsewhere. The cheapest I can find one new is $129+shipping.
I could buy an Eheim 2217, which Foster & Smith has for $136+shipping.

Or, I could just wait, keep the order for the xp3 and wait for it to come in, and in the meantime I could-
I could buy a HOT Magnum for $48 and either fill the chemical filtration chamber with some bio media or hook it up to a DIY "bio tower" (actually a piece PVC that runs the length of the tank and is full of some type of bio media) and run it until I get the xp3 in. Then I'd have the magnum around and be able to use it for a gravel vac, water polishing, or whatever.

What do you guys think my best option would be here? I really like the idea of the xp3, and I like the price on it compared to anything else. If I end up buying the HOT I'd be over the price of the Eheim, but in the end I'd have two filters to run any time I needed to, compared to only having one. On the other hand, Eheim is supposed to be pretty amazing as canisters go, and from what I'm hearing, would work better in the long run than the xp3.
What do you think would be a better choice for me?

Thanks!
 
i got the xp3 for my 75g. Dont get me wrong, its a good filter, the flow rate just isnt enough though. i added 1 AC110 HOB for extra support. and i still feel like its almost not enough.

if you can, cancel the xp3. if i could do it all over again i would get a Fluval FX5. you can get them on ebay for 200 - 220 shipped!. That would be plenty of flow rate even full of media i think they still put out about 600gph.

the rena xp3 is good, just not enough flow rate. i dont even think i would trust it to be enough on a 55 gallon unfortunately.

However, it always depends on how stocked your tank is!
 
depends do you want alot of flow or little flow, i would cancel the xp3 order if possible and ebay it up, grab an eheim 2217 for little flow( it will filter a 90), or a fx5( overkill)
 
Here is what I am running on a 75 gallon tank: Fluval 405, Cascade 1100, and a ac110. IMO 1 xp3 will never be enough for that tank alone.
 
I have 2 fluval 404s on one 75, a sump and an AC110 on the other. I prefer the dual canister setup, plus they are only $85 shipped on ebay. (~$200 for a 405)
 
on my 75 i have two penguin 350s and a fluval 304. i'm switching the penguins out for two ac110s(used off ebay for under fifteen bucks) and getting another 304(again used off ebay for thirty.) i'd much rather be over filtered then have stuff floating around like it is now. i also have a twenty long breeder which i have an ac70 on. so i'd say cancel the xp4 and get a different large canister.
 
use what ever kind of filtration you want to just make your turn over rate right for the stocking and kind of filters you have. As i know it the standard turn over rates are for HOB filter you need a 10x+ turn over rate, for a canister you need a 6-8x turn over rate, and for a sump you would need a 4-6x turn over rate. So basically take your tank size (90 gallons) times 10= 900 gallons per hour if you are using HOB style filter. And say 540-720 gallons per hour if you are using a canister filter. And so on. So just match your filters GPH to the turn over rate need in your tank.
 
I would go for the Eheim... I'm currently running a Eheim 2026 and a Aqua Clear 110 on my 75 gallon. You can't go wrong with those two brands, it's worth the cost. Check ebay!
 
rnocera;2652816; said:
I'm going to be filtering a 90 gallon aquarium with a gar, severums, bichirs, and feeders in it. I'm not sure what all else will go in, but that's pretty much what I'm planning.
Click to expand...

The gar alone is way too much fish for a 90. Sounds like you need a bigger tank or get rid of the gar. A few full grown severums and a couple bichers will max out your 90.
 
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