filtration for a 4x2x2

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bromie88

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 19, 2008
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hello all. im new to the forum, and big tanks, so i need help.

a combination of all the tanks, big fish, and the fact that i want to take my hobby to the next level has made me want to get a 4x2x2 (400+ Liters), quite a step from the 3x1x1 eh? :)

so my question is what sort of flow rate am i looking for. there are canister filters available locally rated at 1300 Lph. will this be enough, to cope with my fish? i have a clown knife, an oscar, a bumblebee cat, and soon to be a common polypterus, all are 2-3". also if i can have them, 2-3 silver dollars.

so i can go for the canister, a sump (although i am not familiar with them, but i learn quick). or if there is one available, an internal able to cope.

i currently have a fluval 4 plus. rated at 1000Lph for tanks up to 215L. so could i run 2 of these instead of going external? it theoretically doubles the Lph to 2000lph.

is this possible to do without my water quality going to pot. effectively having one filter cleaning the top half of the tank and the other the bottom half?

i need help... and i havent bought anything yet. i plan to get the filtration sorted first, then the stand, then buy the tank. so i can wait as long as it takes to sort it out.

thanks:headbang2
 
I'll be the first to say what everyone else is going to say as is the norm around here: the CK will outgrow that tank. You should be able to have some SD's, although I would go w/ at least 3.

With just those fish, you might be okay w/ a 4plus and one of those 1300lph canisters. I wouldn't go with 2 of the internals.
 
what ever filter you buy eheim is the brand you want :D
 
T1KARMANN;1670202; said:
what ever filter you buy eheim is the brand you want :D
Click to expand...
:iagree: On my 120 wide (4x2x2) I have an eheim 2028 loaded with bio and 2 ac110's doing all the mechanical. I have had this setup for years now with no issues.
 
thanks all.

i think i would probably go for the fluval fx5, along with the fluval 4 plus. that would be mechanical and bio filtration wouldnt it?

i know the ck will outgrow the tank, really soon, but i took pitty on it when i found it. it was in a 1ft cube in a pet shop, with no hiding places anywhere, with the lights on, with 1" tigerbarbs. it was really close to to being an ex-fish when i got it. thankfully it made it, and is now healthy. better than most of the stories ive read on mfk that say otherwise... poor fishes.

i am trying to find a new home for it though, but untill then its mine... not complaining though... its a great fish. i dont wanna see it go... maybe i should go bigger, doubt the missus will like that though, or the landlord :)

thanks again

Dan
 
the fx5 has so little bio media its a joke

eheim all the way

the filter is the kidney of your tank why cut costs look how many people seam to be having problems with the fx5 and it hasnt been on the market 2yrs yet

a eheim will last 10yrs +
 
I have a similar tank, 5 X 2 X 2, Look at the list of fish that I have had in the tank for the past year. I originally had 2 magnum 220 cannisters and recently added 2 Emperor 400 HOB. The water is perfect now. I use the round scrubbies that you find in any grocery store for bio media in the magnums. I have had the magnums for OVER 10 years now and they work great. I like those because it is easy to find replacement parts/media. The EMP's work great.

Good luck
 
T1KARMANN;1672327; said:
the fx5 has so little bio media its a joke

eheim all the way

the filter is the kidney of your tank why cut costs look how many people seam to be having problems with the fx5 and it hasnt been on the market 2yrs yet

a eheim will last 10yrs +
Click to expand...

i take it that you like eheim filters then :)

what size am i looking at? 1500+ lph, along with the fluval 4 plus? how much am i looking at? if the fx5 is cutting corners (at £100) not looking forward to the rrp of a decent filter. but it must be done... for the sake of the fish

i'll go to the good pet shops on saturday. see if he has any in stock. if not he should order one in for me, or give me advice on making a sump (as the 3ft will be empty). he tends to get the oddballs in stock. so he should have some usefull information for me. i also get to pick up my polypterus. only a baby one but still a polypterus.
:headbang2

thanks for the help. now 'The Tank' might not be a disaster after all.
 
pro3 £167 + £60 for the media kit online

the fx5 is a budget filter
 
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