HELP! Whats the best SINGLE filter for a 125?

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capefeartarheel

capefeartarheel

Candiru
MFK Member
Jul 28, 2007
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I am currently running 3 emperor 400s for filtration on what some might call an "overstocked" 125 gallon tank. I also have a Hydor Koralia Magnum 4 (1200 gph) Powerhead in the tank.

Stock list:

1 barred midas 8 inches
1 Carpintis 'lahillas' 6 inches
1 Festae 6 inches
1 Dovii 2 inches
1 Red Tiger mota 3 inches
1 Trimac 3 inches
2 Fredrichstalli 4 inches
2 Haitiensis 3-4 inches

Yes, I am aware that these fish cannot live together at full grown size and I will be slowly getting rid of the ones that will not have a permanent home in the tank, starting with the midas, after Christmas. I am basically growing them out for a friend that owns a LFS and will be keeping the RTM, Festae, A Fredrichstalli & a Haitiensis, as Ive longed for them and finally have them.

The tank has been established for over 2 yrs and has had the current setup for approx 1 yr.

I am looking into getting an Eheim 2262 for the tank because I would like to move to a 1 filter tank and have read several posts on here that have stated they only change the media or do any kind of service on the filter every 6-12 months. The only canister filter Ive ever had was a rena xp3 (and only for 2 months). With all the issues it had, I quickly got rid of it and moved to HOB filters.

Is the 2262 a good choice for my tank? I have seen a few comments regarding the fact that the output was too much for a 125 Gallon tank, but Ive read just as many that have it and love it.

Im not opposed to the 2260 but the main reason Im looking at the 2262 is that I plan on moving to a 180/210/240 in the near future and would like to be semi prepared for that as well.

Do I need to even upgrade? Also, will I be able to cover both Bio & Chem in a canister?

I know there is the ever so popular eheim/fluval debate, so I guess Im asking for everyones opinion on what they feel would best suit my tank and my future prospects, with the least amount of service being needed.

TIA!
 
That canister would work. But once you go sump you never go back.
 
yeah i would go 2262 or an fx5.. both great filters
 
hybridtheoryd16;2564468; said:
That canister would work. But once you go sump you never go back.
Click to expand...

OK, that being said...I have no experience in using or building sump tanks, fixing aquariums or basically anything mechanical. I am more electronically inclined with computers, guitars, amps etc.

Is it something I should take on myself, or just buy a pre fab sump. Either way, will it enable me to maintain a pristine tank?...physically and chemically?

Something like one of these?....

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+18997&pcatid=18997

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+12592&pcatid=12592

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+12889&pcatid=12889

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+13648&pcatid=13648


Id like something that comes ready to work. Again, I dont trust my knowledge or capabilities to have to pick a pump and all that. Unless I am way over complicating things by thinking it is a huge deal to do.

Is the moisture it puts off, underneath the tank in the stand, something to be concerned about? cause wood rot etc?

Also, what am I looking at for media costs in the 2262/fx5 or a sump?

Thanks for the help!
 
Yeah...I would also be interested in finding out more about the sump. I currently am running 2 Eheim 2217's on my 150 gal. Even though 1 of these filters is technically ok for the tank, I would like to turn more water over. I'm not familiar with sumps at all and would love some more info.
 
Sumps are great for keeping a pristine tank. It works just like a canister except you have a much bigger volume of water and a lot more area for filtration elements such as scrubbies, carbon, or whatever else you wanna put in there.

Now, if you dont have a drilled tank it is very important to have a good overflow which will have more capacity than your return pump. And you want to make sure to make one that will not lose prime incase of power loss.

The return pump is the next big thing. There are a million of them out there, just need to pick one that matches the amount of water you want to turn over. They range in price depending on what you want; quiet, more gph, etc.

The actual sump is very easy, you just take a tank and silicone some dividers to create different compartments.
 
i went through the same sort of situation. I hav a 125g with about 25 cichlids in it currently. I went to the fluval FX5 and i absolutly love it. i as well will be going to a much larger tank shortly but i wanted something easy, self contained, and big for the bio load. i love it.
 
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