I need a sucky filter

[johnny roastbeef]

Here's my dilemma, I have a 110 gallon tall tank. Stocked with 4 good sized parrots, a bunch of coreys and a cylindricus cichlid that I origihnally put in for a few days and just cant manage to remove. The tank is filtered by 2 Magnum 350s filled with ceramic bio media, and a Marineland Emperor 400. There is also a powerhead in there to move the waste away from the rockwork.

The water parameters are all good, no amonia etc. But there is always waste on the bottom of the tank that just doesnt make it into the filters. The problem is that with such a tall tank the input strainers for my filters are no lower than the middle of the tank, and none of my filers are going to suck the waste that high off the bottom. After a few days of sitting on the bottom, the waste begins to break apart into small pieces, causing my water to always look dirty. I would like to replace one of the mag 350s with a strong canister that I can position the intake closer to the bottom of the tank.

I like how the fluval filters give enough hose to position it anywhere, and am considering a 305. My question is this: how strong is the suction on one of those filters, would the 305 be able to get some of the muck from the bottom and mechanically filter it. What is a good alternative.

I have an FX5 and it rocks, but I dont think I want to go that route. Lately I've been collecting filters and I would prefer not to toss out $250 worth of filters only to replace them with a $200 filter. Ideally I would like to swap out one of the Mags.

Any suggestions?

 

[tcarswell]

You couldn't use plumbing pieces to lower the intakes ? I have done that plenty before I keep my intakes 1" -2" above the substrate. To answer your question I don't think a 305 would be quite the pull you are looking for. I had one as a stand alone filter on my old saltwater tank and it didn't do the job. If your going fluval I would really consider the FX5 for a tank of that volume. LOTS of mechanical filtration and you could obviously keep the magnums (great filters). I think maybe positioning another power head and lowering 2 intakes (Id recommend at least one being the emperor ) Might just be what your looking for. And one last question do you vacuum the gravel often ?

 

[devder1]

You couldn't use plumbing pieces to lower the intakes ? I have done that plenty before I keep my intakes 1" -2" above the substrate. To answer your question I don't think a 305 would be quite the pull you are looking for. I had one as a stand alone filter on my old saltwater tank and it didn't do the job. If your going fluval I would really consider the FX5 for a tank of that volume. LOTS of mechanical filtration and you could obviously keep the magnums (great filters). I think maybe positioning another power head and lowering 2 intakes (Id recommend at least one being the emperor ) Might just be what your looking for. And one last question do you vacuum the gravel often ?

x2

 

[johnny roastbeef]

Yeah, I vacuum plenty. The problem is that these fish poop like a small child and I cannot get it sucked into my filters. I know the FX5 would do the trick but that isnt really what I'm looking for, I would really just like to supplement my filtration. I can see the water movement in my 6' tank, but this 110 has a 4' footpring, and I'm afraid that it will be too much. I know I can close down the valves to restrict the flow, but that defeats the purpose of such a strong filter.

 

[tcarswell]

I don't understand your post. Footpring shutting down valves ?

 

[89must]

what are you looking for

 

[sp33dstix]

How about try this...that way the poop can never touch the bottom of the tank. (providing you angled them correctly)
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/ug_jets.php]
I used it on a 29 gallon bow front...It worked pretty well, just make sure the pump you get is strong enough.

 

[tcarswell]

Thanks for the link ! This should keep me busy while my mother in law is here

 

[MurderedOut]

almost anything but the fx5 would be a waste of money in my opinion, keep your others as backups later

theres no reason to have 4 filters on just a 110, unless you really just like that much clutter.

i would do the fx5 and keep one of the magnums on there too.

just put a fx5 on my normal 75 gallon...not to much flow at all or even close to it.

 

[tcarswell]

almost anything but the fx5 would be a waste of money in my opinion, keep your others as backups later

theres no reason to have 4 filters on just a 110, unless you really just like that much clutter.

i would do the fx5 and keep one of the magnums on there too.

just put a fx5 on my normal 75 gallon...not to much flow at all or even close to it.