Fish Room Filter advice!!

[Squirtle919]

Hello All

I am currently converting my garage (8x8X7 M) into a so called fish room long story short No one in my family really enjoys the fish tanks in the house so they gave me the garage Cement slab old fashioned insulated and the best part for me it gets sunlight via the roof!!!

I am currently planning the layout etc I have the general idea of the fish I want and tanks required + upgrades for my existing stock, Mainly 180G,150G,110G 3 tier stands my issue is I have never used any other filter on a large tank then sumps and canisters, Seeing as some tanks are at pretty much floor level I cant use canisters or a sump and theres not much free space on the stands also.

which leads me to my issue, I have been trying to figure out a effective way whilst remaining on the cheap side more money I save here more I have for tanks!!

A sponge filter setup run off 1 air blower or high vol air pump is what I would like to work but I am not sure its the best/effective option? the tanks wont be overstocked mainly just pairs of cichlids and a few solos some schooling fish, so it might work but something tells me a hob or 2 per a tank might be a better option?

I clean my tanks every day at the moment for my larger fish just a 5% change to remove the poop laying around but I figure no filter can really fix this issue, Just hoping to get some advice on if the sponges will get the job done or if a HOB would be a better choice?

The only difference I can see is media choice for a hob and a bit more cost, looks better, not very good if my fish breed, might keep the water a tad cleaner?

Or any other ideas on a effective method?

Thanks everyone!

 

[plecostic]

I recently bought some AquaClear HOB filters, I also have a Marineland 530 Canister and the AC filters are awesome, maybe even better than the canister. Highly recommend them.

 

[Squirtle919]

Cheers pleco, I have nothing but good about them from what I read also I am leaning towards a dual setup maybe start with the sponge filters and get some aquaclears along the way, then when/if my fish spawn I can switch the HOB off and leave the sponges on power outage I can run a gen to the air blower which should power all the tanks?

Would anyone be able to suggest if its better to use 2x aquaclear 70s or one 110? I can get the 2 70s cheaper as I would be buying higher amounts = more % discount rate ^_- and they would move more water!

Thanks

 

[dogofwar]

I couple (air driven) sponges and boxes for most of my tanks. You can't beat it in terms of cost / simplicity...

How much room do you have between racks...and the top tank and the ceiling? If there's room, using "dump" filters (basically a sump that sits on top of your tank and dumps back into the tank via gravity) would be the way to go for heavily stocked tanks.

That's what I have in my 40+ tank fishroom

Matt

 

[Squirtle919]

I have 5-6 inch per the lower and middle tanks on the stand the roof tank has 3 inch from the roof support but another foot from the actual roof if that makes sense?

None of the tanks will be heavily stocked also I would post the list but its very long and I am due for bed lol hopefully no more night mares about my misses dovii

One issue I see how does this work with cover glass? you would have to drill it correct? or does it rest under the cover glass?

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/695/dfgdfy.jpg/sr=1 Looks like it rests inside?

I believe this is what you mean?

http://www.aquariumproducts.com.au/catalogue_products.php?prodID=3346&catID=83

Thanks for the advice! I always wondered if these where any good or not if they are the system you speak of!