Filtration for a 150

[Toby_H]

dang.... but doest the overflow only collect what is on the surface of water anyway? whatever falls below the overflow line is just going to sink to the bottm no?

With standard overflows... yes...

Which is why I would never use standard overflows on a sump...

In my opinion a sump is not a superior filter UNLESS you make overflows that can puck water up from the lower levels of the aquarium...

 

[Hawaiianfishkee]

Hmmm. Can you point me in the right direction of a superior aquarium filter for a 150?

 

[Hawaiianfishkee]

k... so over the last few days i bought a emperor 400 hang on filter for my 150... with the 400 running, my diy wet dry filter sump(pushes about 350 gph) running, and the penguin 1140 powerhead.. i noticed that there is a lot of crud build up on the bottom of tank, AND THERE ISNT EVEN Any FISH IN THERE YET!!! what should i do!?

 

[Bderick67]

k... so over the last few days i bought a emperor 400 hang on filter for my 150... with the 400 running, my diy wet dry filter sump(pushes about 350 gph) running, and the penguin 1140 powerhead.. i noticed that there is a lot of crud build up on the bottom of tank, AND THERE ISNT EVEN Any FISH IN THERE YET!!! what should i do!?

Gravel vac and siphon out the debries.

Myself I have 2 AC110s on my 150g for this purpose. The intake tube have been extended down to within a couple of inches of the bottom. This is good with bare bottom or gravel, don't use this method with sand.

 

[Toby_H]

As mentioned, AC 110s are great for mechanical filtration... Emp 400s work too...

I see a lot of people suggesting a sump with 2~5 times turnover flow is enough... I believe in most circumstances this would be sufficient for adequate Biological Filtration, but in my experience it is not enough for Mechanical Filtration.

Your Emp 400 actually moves roughly 300 gph... I am assuming your '350 gph wet dry' runs at 350 gph after taking head pressure into account...

This means you have an actual "turnover rate" 4.3 times per hour... Less if you did not take head pressure into account on the wet dry...

Therefore it does not surprise me at all that you are not impressed with the mechanical filtration of this tank...


Solutions...

Add additional HOBs... Add a high gph Canister... Increase the flow rate of your wet dry...

Adding Powerheads is an option, but with the small amount of Mechanical Filtration you have this would most likely result in a lot of small particles constantly suspended in your water which is generally an undesired effect...

I feel the Aqua Clear 110s are considerably better filters than the Emp 400, but you can read opinions on this comparison in many threads so no need to restart it here.

Another option is to construct an overflow that picks water up from the lower regions of the aquarium. To me, it seems silly not to. Below is a design I made up to reflect what I am planning to use...

 

[Hawaiianfishkee]

Holy macro! That was the best info I recieved on this site, by far. Hmm, I was thinking about installing a straight syphon like that, but, I would assume you're using a standard overflow along with your setup for water level and powerouttages. I was thinking about replacing my pump (In sump) and getting one that can push more because the syphon in the illustration would suck my tank dry before I could pump It back up. Unless ofcoarse if you used a smaller piping.

 

[Aqualoon]

Hey Hawaiianfishkee, I just ran into the same issue as you with my new 150g. Because of the height of the tank I would need to invest some cash to get the sump setup correctly in order for it to have the turnover rate needed.

In the end I ditched the sump and went with two Rena XP3's. I found them used from a member of my local fish club for $75 each.

 

[Toby_H]

Holy macro! That was the best info I recieved on this site, by far. Hmm, I was thinking about installing a straight syphon like that, but, I would assume you're using a standard overflow along with your setup for water level and powerouttages. I was thinking about replacing my pump (In sump) and getting one that can push more because the syphon in the illustration would suck my tank dry before I could pump It back up. Unless ofcoarse if you used a smaller piping.

Look at the illistration closer, it's nt a straight siphon... I would NEVER use or suggest an overflow that could not handle a power outtage.

There is a red dot on the top left of the T... which represents a hole drilled into the PVC. You'll have to figure out what sized hole actually lets in enough air to break the siphon. It will likely be larger than you think but will depend on your PVC size.

One option, drill a large hole through the cap & the PVC the cap fits on... then twist the cap to make the hole smaller if it's bigger than needed. Find the size that is just big enough, then make it a bit larger just to be safe.

If the hole sucks air making a slurping sound when the pump is running... take a piece of flat plastic and glue it to the the PVC above the hole / parallel to the water / slightly under the waters surface level when the pump is running... This will serve as a barrier between the hole and the air preventing slurping...

 

[Hawaiianfishkee]

As mentioned, AC 110s are great for mechanical filtration... Emp 400s work too...

I see a lot of people suggesting a sump with 2~5 times turnover flow is enough... I believe in most circumstances this would be sufficient for adequate Biological Filtration, but in my experience it is not enough for Mechanical Filtration.

Your Emp 400 actually moves roughly 300 gph... I am assuming your '350 gph wet dry' runs at 350 gph after taking head pressure into account...

This means you have an actual "turnover rate" 4.3 times per hour... Less if you did not take head pressure into account on the wet dry...

Therefore it does not surprise me at all that you are not impressed with the mechanical filtration of this tank...


Solutions...

Add additional HOBs... Add a high gph Canister... Increase the flow rate of your wet dry...

Adding Powerheads is an option, but with the small amount of Mechanical Filtration you have this would most likely result in a lot of small particles constantly suspended in your water which is generally an undesired effect...

I feel the Aqua Clear 110s are considerably better filters than the Emp 400, but you can read opinions on this comparison in many threads so no need to restart it here.

Another option is to construct an overflow that picks water up from the lower regions of the aquarium. To me, it seems silly not to. Below is a design I made up to reflect what I am planning to use...

So the hole is above water or below water when the pump is on? I'd have to see it work.. Are u running this on ur tank now?

 

[Hawaiianfishkee]

Gravel vac and siphon out the debries.

Myself I have 2 AC110s on my 150g for this purpose. The intake tube have been extended down to within a couple of inches of the bottom. This is good with bare bottom or gravel, don't use this method with sand.

Dang, i'd be lucky to find a deal lik this Here on the islands. Shipping sucks.