Hey guys, I'm new to big tanks, formerlly a 55 gal and just got my 200 gall to house my 3 RBP 1 jack demo, 2 oscars, 13" pleco, and 13" marble moray. I will be using fine sand, fake plants and alotta rock/drift wood in it and feeding live food alot, my question is this.. Currently I have 3 Marineland penguin bio-wheel filters on it at 70GPH each, what would be th best filtration to compliment them to keep my water crystal clear? Like a wet/dry or canister, and what size should it be as far as GPH and also hat brands are good to dish out money on? Thanks for the help, I'm new so Te most details/ explanation as to why would be great, also any suggestions on anything I should know would be much appreciated! Thanks guys and gals!
Help with 200 gal filtration setup (new to bib tanks)
- Thread starter rakealldaylong8
- Start date
Why are you feeding live food? A high quality prepared food is more nutritious. New Life Spectrum pellets work for me.
You will hear it over and over around here as far as canisters go... the Fluval FX5 is probably the most popular large canister on here. They go for about $200 plus shipping on ebay. You could use two of those and add some nice powerheads for even better flow (koralia evolution series). I wouldn't even run the penguins you have at all, that's just me.
If you are good with DIY projects, a sump setup is also a great option. Are you looking for something you can just plug in, or are you willing to do a little more work?
You will hear it over and over around here as far as canisters go... the Fluval FX5 is probably the most popular large canister on here. They go for about $200 plus shipping on ebay. You could use two of those and add some nice powerheads for even better flow (koralia evolution series). I wouldn't even run the penguins you have at all, that's just me.
If you are good with DIY projects, a sump setup is also a great option. Are you looking for something you can just plug in, or are you willing to do a little more work?
I'm a handy guy and love to try projects, I would just need the steps/materials/ details on how to do it and I'm pretty good at That.. Like I said tho, I'm new to the aqua world so idk what things like sump are lol, I'm fresh but I catch on quick and have done some research.. Also I feed like dania's from my feeder tank and only once a week, I use raw fish and such aswell and pellets.. Id prefer to try a project to build bc it is fun and I'm sure less expensive, let me know what you had in mind
those 3 filters at 70 gph isnt enough for a 200 gallon like he said fx5 or a eheim pro3 would be good for a 200 gallon and a good diy sump with a good pump in it would work... grats on the 200 gallon..
Here's a pic of my 210 set up,
Hope it gives you an idea of a basic set up.
Now, nothing is written in stone here,
The basic principle is that you want Mechanical and biological filtration (the same as any other tank).
I have an FX5 to do the Majority of the mechanical and the wet-dry to do the majority of the biological.
The ocean clear canister is full of carbon. Some people use it, others don't.
The UV is to prevent the water from turning green with algae.
There are 2 pumps in the sump,1 for the UV which is weaker, and the other is stronger to move the majority of the water from the sump, through the ocean clear and back to the tank.
There are many different ways you can do this and you should do some research and find what works best for you.
Hope it gives you an idea of a basic set up.
Now, nothing is written in stone here,
The basic principle is that you want Mechanical and biological filtration (the same as any other tank).
I have an FX5 to do the Majority of the mechanical and the wet-dry to do the majority of the biological.
The ocean clear canister is full of carbon. Some people use it, others don't.
The UV is to prevent the water from turning green with algae.
There are 2 pumps in the sump,1 for the UV which is weaker, and the other is stronger to move the majority of the water from the sump, through the ocean clear and back to the tank.
There are many different ways you can do this and you should do some research and find what works best for you.
Thanks I like having pictures too reference too! I have not bought the sand yet because I'm debating on what type and the penguins came with it so I haven't bought anything else as far as filtration goes because I want to make sure I do it correctly and hve my water clear and clean I appreciate all The inputs, I need as much advice as possible
i like to use wet dry filters on large tanks there is alot of info in the stickys on DIY filters.
yeh add more filtration... prob ditch the biowheels, get a good canister and a diy sump with a pump lol... but yeh I have 2 diy sumps and a canister for my 96 x 24 x 20
I'm in the process of setting up a 210g I purchased off CL for cheap. My tank build if you are interested http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=363133 My filtration plans; 50 or so gallon wet/dry sump, two ReeFlo Snapper pumps for the sump, probably about 3000gph. Two Ocean Clear canister filters with a ~1000gph pressure pump set up in line with both of the canisters. I know this is overkill, but it is what I was able to put together for a reasonable cost.
I put a Nu-Clear on my big tank and love it- I am looking for a 2nd one to have as a bio system.... with the Gen-X pump I am moving 1200 gph (really moving this amount of water) if you are handy it would be right up your ally 
you will need to do the plumbing yourself and configure your design for your tank
I did a reverse over flow... it is very hard to find any information about them and very few people suggest them because they are expensive however if you do the math- additional power heads, 2 or 3 canisters and what ever more you will need to keep a clean tank with low maint. the $$ rack up.
so do not let the price scare you 1 canister was just under $200. (came with a pressure gauge, 1 pump $150.00 (new) looking for a used one ???
you will need to do the plumbing yourself and configure your design for your tankI did a reverse over flow... it is very hard to find any information about them and very few people suggest them because they are expensive however if you do the math- additional power heads, 2 or 3 canisters and what ever more you will need to keep a clean tank with low maint. the $$ rack up.
so do not let the price scare you 1 canister was just under $200. (came with a pressure gauge, 1 pump $150.00 (new) looking for a used one ???