i am getting a 120 galon tank and,,,someone needs to tell me wich one to get,,,,,i already lost 8 bichir;s and would'nt like to loose any more ,,,,,please let me know wich brand and size for that tank,,,,,thanks
increasing tank size,,,,wich filter i need
- Thread starter doc_evil212
- Start date
there are several different types of filtration (canister, HOB, wet/dry) but I only have experience with HOB's. if that's the kind of filtration you want then I would go with 3 Aquaclear 110's. 
i was wondering this as well? it seems a lot of people here have wet/dry's and i dont know one thing about them, is it necessary for tanks over 100 gallons?
or would a cansiter + a hang filter do fine as well?
big mike 13 said:
i was wondering this as well? it seems a lot of people here have wet/dry's and i dont know one thing about them, is it necessary for tanks over 100 gallons?
or would a cansiter + a hang filter do fine as well?
wet/dry isn't necessary for tanks over 100 gallons, but I believe they are more effective and cheaper. the reason being for a tank say 120 gallons you would need at least 2 AC 110's but I'd prefer 3. by lfs prices that would run ~$225 however if you order online (say big als) you could get them for about half that. still though I think making your own wet/dry may run even less than that. of course you have to know how to make and run a wet/dry which is why up to this point I've only used HOB's. However once I get moved out again and set all my tanks back up I will be using a wet/dry on at least one of my big tanks if not both.
it all depends on your budget... a home made wet/dry filter will not cost you a fortune. you can even use pot scrubbers which are very good in bacteria colonization (doesn't mean cheap is bad). If you make a home made wet/dry and buy a very reliable pump then you won't need anything else in your tank. look at it this way... your tank... which would probably be freshwater needs to turn around 4-9 times in an hour. if you buy an xp3 which is for tanks up to 175 gal it has a 350gph (hope im correct but relatively close to it)... your tank will only turn less than 3x an hour. and to consider.. it's not even worth it. get WET/DRY for one time investment and one great saving in long term since it's easier to clean and easier to maintain plus only one outlet on your electric bill. don't really need to buy all sorts of media which are making holes on your pocket. go ebay and buy a roll and it will last for months. one last thing.. go for a 200 gal capacity Wet/Dry. I'll be having my 180 gal run on a 400 gal capacity wet/dry. good luck and don't forget to cycle the water which takes weeks... don't rush! 
big mike 13 said:
here's the link..
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14728&highlight=wet+dry+diy
you can search on the web for DIY wet/dry filters.