How much filtration needed for a 450gallon?

[Crazyfish88]

Hey guys I'm prepping up the filtration for my 450gallon and so far I have 2 Fluval FX5's for it. Is it enough or should I get more? I was thinking of adding a Rena Xp4 since I have the smart heaters as well or what other options do I have? Nothing too fancy nor super pricey. The stock will be 3 x Arowanas, 2 x Pbass's and a RTC. Also once my RTC/TSN hybrid grows enough I will be placing him in the 450g as well.


Help much appreciated thanks.




Andy

 

[brianp]

Hey Andy:

My rule of thumb is one FX5 for up to 150 gallons...maybe 180 (for a moderately stocked tank)..but believe me, I don't have anything scientific to base this metric on. I have a 350 with a robust population of Dats and 2 x FX5s are just about right. Water quality is good, oxygenation (water circulation) seems good, etc. For the population you describe, two FX5s are probably ok, but I would be thinking about adding a third eventually. Three will give you a comfortable overage.

 

[superleggera123]

i think 2 is good.
depends on what bio media you use.
i would also add 2 HOB filters..
i suggest ac110s ( aquaclear 110)
they are cheap and AMAZING
....

 

[RedDwarf]

I would have to say at least 3 of them. But it all really depends on how much willpower you have. And eventually your Pbass and cats will just turn into waste machines if they aren't already.

 

[Crazyfish88]

i think 2 is good.
depends on what bio media you use.
i would also add 2 HOB filters..
i suggest ac110s ( aquaclear 110)
they are cheap and AMAZING
....

What are HOB filters? I thought about ac110's but I worried of having open holes on top of my tank as I have used ac waterfalls back then from previous aro's and they tried to jump out...also for media on my 225g's Fx5 I'm using biomax/carbon/pre-filter. Should I go the same with the other 2 Fx5's for the 450g?

 

[Crazyfish88]

I would have to say at least 3 of them. But it all really depends on how much willpower you have. And eventually your Pbass and cats will just turn into waste machines if they aren't already.

Yup they are definitely waste machines alright...I'm running a Fx5 and a Rena Xp4 on my 225g and I do 40% wc twice a week but I'm a bit overstocked.

 

[superleggera123]

hang on back
i have one in my aro tank and the glass tops fit snug with the filter causing no gaps..
trust me 2 ac110s and 2 fx5s are the way to go

 

[hybridtheoryd16]

I would vote for selling the 2 fx5's and build yourself a sump.

You can build a sump large enough to handle 450g very well for about 200-250 dollars if you diy. And then you can have a little left over from the sale to spend on other tank needs.

What ever way you choose I would not even dare to call the filtration system complete until you have enough flow to turn the tank over a minimum of 6 times or in your case 2700 gph of filtration. If it were me I would shoot for 10x turn over but to each his own. The higher you go the cleaner the tank will be.

 

[turtlesrock]

i think 2 is good.
depends on what bio media you use.
i would also add 2 HOB filters..
i suggest ac110s ( aquaclear 110)
they are cheap and AMAZING
....

CHEAP!!!! how are they cheap! when i go to the store looking for a filter i get "petco brand filters" (which are the cheapest ones) and they actually work better than other filters. heres there pirce of each of the brands filters (each filter rated for 30 gallons)

PETCO brand Aquaclear
$21.37 $39.99

​

the petco wins!!!! by about 19 dollars!!! i would these filters because; they are cheap, they pump faster then other brands, filer very well (thanks to it 4 stage filtration)

 

[turtlesrock]

I would vote for selling the 2 fx5's and build yourself a sump.

You can build a sump large enough to handle 450g very well for about 200-250 dollars if you diy. And then you can have a little left over from the sale to spend on other tank needs.

What ever way you choose I would not even dare to call the filtration system complete until you have enough flow to turn the tank over a minimum of 6 times or in your case 2700 gph of filtration. If it were me I would shoot for 10x turn over but to each his own. The higher you go the cleaner the tank will be.

i agree!!! i built a diy sump for my 100gallon and it costed 100dollars!!! and i also agree with him when he says "I would not even dare to call the filtration system complete until you have enough flow to turn the tank over a minimum of 6 times or in your case 2700 gph of filtration. If it were me I would shoot for 10x turn over" i had 5x turnover on my 100gallon and it wasnt enough. i bought to HOB's and no i have around 900gph which is a 9x turnover!