Filtration on a ~300 gallon tank???

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nickag9

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Dec 9, 2009
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Cincinnati, OH
Hey guys, I'm still rather new to the large aquarium world so I wanted to get some input on filtration for a ~300 gallon plywood tank I plan to build after the new year. I plan to stock the tank with a few of my favorite Native freshwater fish including at least one LMB and one Channel Catfish. It seems the general consensus in the Native fish forum is that a sump is the only way to go with tank of this size but I've been researching and it seems that sump systems can be loud/annoying and create problems with evaporation. Recently I started researching the Fluval FX5 and from what I've found it is a great filter for the cost. I've also been reading that the more filtration you have in a tank, the better. While I can understand this theory (multiple filters means if one filter fails the other one will keep the tank running and safe) it also adds more expense to my project... Anyway, I was hoping I could get some input from the filtration experts on what would be the best, most cost effective way to filter my ~300 gallon plywood tank? Thanks in advance :D
 
Cost effectiveness you'll want a sump. You'll build it yourself just like a smaller version of your 300 and you can make the media chambers as large or small as you want.
then buy rolls of filter floss off ebay and scrubbies off zennzo. It will cost you less then getting 2-3 FX5s.

Nosie can be an issue with a sump but a lot of that noise can be taken care of with a proper designed sump. Just think of it like this the less distane the water has to fall onto itself the less noise b/c that's what people complane about the "waterfall" sounds. This can mostly be remedied with a dorso stand pipe but You can also get rid of it by not using an overflow box at all and just cutting holes in the back wall of the tank and that way the water doesn't have to fall at all to get into the sump.


Also a good idea with a sump is to add a chamber that's large enough to house some fish that are in the growout stage so you don't need a second tank to do that in.

but with canisters you just toss in some media and run the inlet/outlet lines and your done.
 
Well I would hope building a sump myself would cost less than one FX5. From what I have found those things run ~$200 or more brand new. I won't even have that much into the wood for my tank and stand...

And ok, I understand what you are saying about the "waterfall" noise of the sump. You also answered another question I had about whether or not I needed to add an overflow. I like the idea of two bulkheads on the back of the tank for the plumbing of a sump or for an FX5. Now what about multiple forms of filtration? I keep reading about the AC110 and I'm not even sure what it does that the FX5 or sump wouldn't do. Like I said earlier, I'm obviously a newbie...

I guess the bottom line is that I want to make sure I have sufficient filtration while also keeping the tank maintenance to a minimum. The less filter media replacement and cleaning I have to do, the better!
 
nickag9;3721256;3721256 said:
Well I would hope building a sump myself would cost less than one FX5. From what I have found those things run ~$200 or more brand new. I won't even have that much into the wood for my tank and stand...

And ok, I understand what you are saying about the "waterfall" noise of the sump. You also answered another question I had about whether or not I needed to add an overflow. I like the idea of two bulkheads on the back of the tank for the plumbing of a sump or for an FX5. Now what about multiple forms of filtration? I keep reading about the AC110 and I'm not even sure what it does that the FX5 or sump wouldn't do. Like I said earlier, I'm obviously a newbie...

I guess the bottom line is that I want to make sure I have sufficient filtration while also keeping the tank maintenance to a minimum. The less filter media replacement and cleaning I have to do, the better!
Click to expand...
If you find FX5's new for $200 buy them you'll need at least 2.
If on the other hand you wan't to Truly DIY on the cheap PM me and I'll detail my setup for you. I would explain it here but it seems as if you mention any system utilizing any variation of a UGF and all you get is a "Flame War" Anyone else who wants to have a non emotional exchange of ideas feel free to PM also.
 
dawnmarie;3721352; said:
If you find FX5's new for $200 buy them you'll need at least 2.
Click to expand...

^ If your going with the FX5's check Ebay sometimes you can find them in there for around 200
 
Ebay FX5 will run you around 230-250 most any day if you look har you'll find them cheaper but 230-250 Shipped is still a great deal considering what any LFS wants for them. But I still feel a Sump is you best bet so it's truly custom fit to your liking.
 
Infinite Aquatics had FX5's for a very reasonable price. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to say, but it would be similar to $deuce deuce five shipped, heh. I'm not sure if he still has any.

Also, if you go the sump route, a pump for it could still cost a nice chunk of change depending on what you go with. I would also advise the measure twice, cut once rule. After buying my pump, and changing out my plumbing ideas a couple of times I think I spent a close to what a few fx5's would cost.
 
I know you're not dealing with saltwater but i run 2 FX5's on my 220 gallon marine tank and they work awesome. My water is always clear and i have no doubt that they would work fine for 300 gallons. I got mine on ebay for $189 w/ free shipping. It is more expensive than a sump but for a plug and play system they work extremely well. I have mine setup through the bulkheads on the back of the tank so they act like skimmers too.
 
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