Filtration Ideas

[Angelphish]

I was looking into new, larger, filtration for my 200 gallon aquarium. There were three things that my Father and I both approved. The first is a very large canister filter, i.e. Fluval Fx6, or Eheim 2262. The second is a pond filter. My Father claims that these are the exact same as canisters, but they have an external pump and are meant for larger aquariums. The last he was looking at was drilling the tank. Since I already have livestock in the tank, I cannot drill it. My Father claimed that he could extend the height of the aquarium with acrylic, and drill the acrylic before it is attached to the tank. Is this a good idea? Will it work? What would be the best option for my tank. Money is not a very big problem, just more of convincing my Father to buy it.

 

[markstrimaran]

I am not sure what you mean by extending the aquarium with acrylic? Why not drill it after a 75% water change? If your wanting to drill the bottom, during a water change, put in a 4" pvc pipe coffer dam. Seal it with plumbers putty, assuming your stand is open on the bottom. Put a 5 gallon bucket underneath to catch the quart of water you will loose. You will need a drill extension.

 

[Angelphish]

I should have been more clear. By extension, I meant an acrylic piece that goes around the inside edge of the aquarium (where hoods normally stay) and it can hold water. It would be attached to the top of the aquarium (Although my Father has not explained how he would attach it).

 

[markstrimaran]

A flat piece that fits inside the lip on the top frame? I would need a rough drawing to understand what your doing.

 

[jaws7777]

I think hes trying to make the tank bigger by somehow attaching acrylic all the way around addkng height to the tank. Never heard of this before...just buy a new tank

 

[Angelphish]

I think hes trying to make the tank bigger by somehow attaching acrylic all the way around addkng height to the tank. Never heard of this before...just buy a new tank

Glad I got someone to understand. The piece is meant for the filtration (sump), more than expanding the tank. It's not making the tank bigger by much either, only four gallons. It would be drilled before installing it, therefore we wouldn't need overflows.

 

[Owens]

Either the canister or sump work fine, really just depends on how much work you want to put into it. Canister is definately the easiest.

I wouldn't do the tank extention thing.

 

[markstrimaran]

I have seen a sump pump, set just below water level, we're it acts as an over flow. Water is pumped above the tank into a trickle tower, inside a canopy. Then rains down back into the aquarium.

 

[jaws7777]

I agree with owens. No need to complicate things. Your dad seems to have lot of ideas that are uncommon, i dont mean that in a bad way but I think you guys need to make a decision. If i remember correctly you were really under filtered to begin with and having issues. The longer you wait the more the fish suffer

 

[Fish Tank Travis]

HOB overflow?

I think it's the best option since you already have the tank up and running.

Another, less common, option would be an overhead sump. This is where you drill the sump with an overflow, mount it above the tank, pump water up to it from the tank and let it overflow back into the tank.

I would go with one of these to run a sump. Or, you can just run a large canister filter or two.