Filtration help for 150 gallon tank

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DwarfCichlid101

DwarfCichlid101

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Feb 18, 2006
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I am setting up a 150 gallon tank for SA cichlids and was wondering what was the best filtration for the tank that isnt too expensive... I was planning on an undergravel filter hooked to something else, but I can't find any that are 18" wide. Also, I have heard that wet/dry filters are good, but I cant drill holes into my tank, and there are no pre-drilled holes...

Any advice?
 
Companies like Aquaplex make acrylic overflow boxes that hang inside your tank with suction cups and work on a siphon. You HAVE to use overflow boxes or you'll flood your house if the pump dies. The boxes usually come with the sump. Pack as many Bio-balls and sediment pads in there as possible, get a good pump like an Aquaglobe AQ6000 and the whole thing shouldn't cost more than $400 or $500.
 
DwarfCichlid101;812652; said:
I am setting up a 150 gallon tank for SA cichlids and was wondering what was the best filtration for the tank that isnt too expensive... I was planning on an undergravel filter hooked to something else, but I can't find any that are 18" wide. Also, I have heard that wet/dry filters are good, but I cant drill holes into my tank, and there are no pre-drilled holes...

Any advice?
Click to expand...

jungledriver;813349; said:
Companies like Aquaplex make acrylic overflow boxes that hang inside your tank with suction cups and work on a siphon. You HAVE to use overflow boxes or you'll flood your house if the pump dies. The boxes usually come with the sump. Pack as many Bio-balls and sediment pads in there as possible, get a good pump like an Aquaglobe AQ6000 and the whole thing shouldn't cost more than $400 or $500.
Click to expand...

Wow, you've got a different perspective of what "not too expensive" is.

I would go with a Do it yourself wet dry filter, you can build one fairly easy and not have to spend big bucks. I would also add 2 AC110 HOB filters, which would be great for mechanical filtration. You can pick these up online for 40 bucks each plus shipping.

With SA cichlids the UG filter is not a good idea, the cichlids will be digging it up and uncovering portions which will make it very ineffective.
 
I am a reefer and haven't had fresh carnivore tank in probably six years, so $400 or $500 for life suport is cheap to me. Reefs are pricey. I am trying to catch up. When did Channa argus become illegal in the U.S.? I bought one seven years ago in Illinois. But earlier today the moderater deleted my request to buy one. Are they illegal in all the U.S. now?
 
Are there any other filters that dont take too much room in the back of the tank other than a wet-dry? This is because I would prefer not to pull out my tank too far from the wall, preferably a max. of 2" away from the wall (or less). Anything under the tank is ok, as long as its good.

Also, I was planning on using a UGF because I am getting some smallish river rocks (1"- 1 1/2") for my tank that they (hopefully) won't be able to move around as much. :D
 
1-1 1/2 river rock will be very hard, if not impossible to vacuum. The efficency of your UG filter relys on regular gravel vacuuming. If the gravel becomes to clogged with debree it will reduce the water flow through the gravel.

Being that you want to keep your tank within a couple of inches of the wall and you don't want to drill for overflows this leaves HOB and wet/dry filters out. You will need to look into canister filters. I would post a thread specifically on what canister filters would work best for you. Include as much info as you can, Tank size, price range, number and sizes of fish you plan to keep.



Eheim is about the best but you will pay for that. The rena filstar xp line is affordable but the media needs to be upgraded from stock.

Here is what canisters I run;

150 gallon with 15" silver arowana, 5" red devil/bloodparrot mix, 3" convict and 2 5-6" marble angels. I have a rena xp3 cannister with fluval prefilter ceramic rings, seachems matrix and the stock rena sponges. This filter works for the current bioload but is aided by a Emp 280 HOB filter.

120 gallon planted, 11" black arowana, pair 3" firemouth cichlids and 2 5-6" raphael catfish. I am currently running 2 Eheim filters 2226 and 2026. These two filters work very well for this tank.
 
well, I plan on having a Jaguar that is already about 10" but still growing, a Red Devil that is 8" still growing, a Jack Dempsey 7" and still growing, a Pleco 10" and still growing, a Striped Raphael 8" not growing. Planning on adding a Texas/ other fish... And thats it. My tank is a 150, 6'x18"x2' approx.

Also, if I cant get the rock, then where can I get a good priced gravel (because my closest pet-dealers are Petsmart, Petco, and Denny's which all have VERY high prices on gravel)?
 
Whoa...2" inches from the wall and underneath is ok...That screams W/D. A 1.5" overflow fits perfectly in back.

Bderick67 is right about the UGF and rock tho.

Dr Joe

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