So would everyone agree that the general consensus seems to be I either build a custom sump to fit my needs or I pick up two FX5s and call it a day? If that is the case I will start pricing everything I would need to build a sump and compare that to say roughly $450 for two FX5s shipped. Either way, if I can keep the filtration system under $500 I'll be in good shape. The goal for my tank build was to keep the cost below $1000 and I'd hate to spend more than half of that on filtration... I'll see what I can find out about building a sump and go from there. In the meantime I appreciate any and all input on the situation. As much as I'd like to save money, I also want to make sure my tank stays clean and healthy. Oh and like I mentioned earlier, the less cleaning/maintenance I have to do the better. I definitely don't want to be spending a lot of money replacing filter media each month...
Filtration on a ~300 gallon tank???
- Thread starter nickag9
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EMac;3722263; said:
Not to derail but, EMac what do have as far as media goes with your FX5 on ur salty tank. Im bout to move everything in my 55G marine to my 100G fresh. The fx5 is on the 100G and i plan on keeping it there. Ive heard that cannisters on marine setups are nitrate factories and arent worth the media inside them, just to put LR in them.
A sump is the way to go if you are going to choose just one. You can design it to accomodate different, and as much media as you want. For the money, you can get more filtration, mechanical and bio than you can with cannisters.
Personally, I like to incorporate both, a sump and big cannisters on my big tanks. With your budget you can definitely have both types on your tank.
Personally, I like to incorporate both, a sump and big cannisters on my big tanks. With your budget you can definitely have both types on your tank.
Ok that sounds like a good plan to me! I will start brainstorming the best way to setup a sump for my tank and stand. In the meantime I will keep an eye out for the best price I can find on an FX5. Based on my research and the input in this thread it seems that both a sump and the FX5 should give me more than enough filtration and turnover for a 300 gallon tank. Plus, I really can't argue with multiple filters. I like knowing that if one filter were to fail, the other one would be capable of keeping the tank clean and safe long enough for me to fix/replace the broken one.
Now the question becomes how large of a sump would be necessary for a 300 gallon tank and what is the best way to run the plumbing? I don't really want to run an overflow setup as I'd like to avoid as much of the "waterfall" noise as possible but I'm open to the most cost effective and most straightforward plumbing design I can use. I will have both a water line from the house and a drain within close proximity of the tank so plumbing for water changes shouldn't be an issue, I'm just concerned with plumbing the lines to and from the sump and FX5. Does anyone know if there is a DIY thread or a good build thread that outlines the best procedures for plumbing a sump without an overflow? Or better yet, does anyone have any first hand experience building their own setup that would like to share? I also like the idea of the Under Gravel Jets I have seen in some of the other build threads and I think that, if possible, I'd really like to incorporate those into the return from the sump or the FX5. Anyway, let me know what tips and tricks you guys have about building and plumbing a sump and an FX5. Thanks again for all the help!
Now the question becomes how large of a sump would be necessary for a 300 gallon tank and what is the best way to run the plumbing? I don't really want to run an overflow setup as I'd like to avoid as much of the "waterfall" noise as possible but I'm open to the most cost effective and most straightforward plumbing design I can use. I will have both a water line from the house and a drain within close proximity of the tank so plumbing for water changes shouldn't be an issue, I'm just concerned with plumbing the lines to and from the sump and FX5. Does anyone know if there is a DIY thread or a good build thread that outlines the best procedures for plumbing a sump without an overflow? Or better yet, does anyone have any first hand experience building their own setup that would like to share? I also like the idea of the Under Gravel Jets I have seen in some of the other build threads and I think that, if possible, I'd really like to incorporate those into the return from the sump or the FX5. Anyway, let me know what tips and tricks you guys have about building and plumbing a sump and an FX5. Thanks again for all the help!
