Low $$ filtration ideas for a 160 gal acryl.

[tooth517]

I recetly aquired a 160 gal (48" x 18" x 42") acrylic tank and was wondering what the best route for filtration was with a small budget. It could easily be drilled for bulkheads so I am guessing a DIY wet/dry might be the way to go. Being such a tall tank would I need a back filter as well? Any other ideas?

 

[CHOMPERS]

You are on the right track. A DIY wet/dry will give you the best bang for your buck.

 

[Miguel4u2]

Wet Dry is the way to go but you will need a powerhead to stir up the crap to the filter, trust my i have a 110 gallon 48x18x31, yours is extremely tall, never seen those dimensions. Should be hell of a show tank.

 

[Toby_H]

What do you plan on keeping in it? How do you plan on decorating it?

Wet/Dry's are great filters when you have an extremely high bioload with little decor...

But the suggestions thus far have completely neglected to discuss mechanical filtration which is just a bad idea in my experience...

I suggest you target a well rounded filtration approach...

If you tell us more about your plans for the tank including stocking and decor we could give you personalized guidance... if not we're just a bunch of who hahs hollering random thoughts...

 

[tooth517]

I'm thinking it's going to be home to a solitary flowerhorn, but they are still growing out(3 1/2"). If I go that route it will be minimally decorated. If I do anything else it will house a few large ca/sa cichlids and mabe a few dithers. I have a 75gal and a 90 gal I have yet to setup so I don't have to put a fh in the 160 but if I end up with a show quality fish that's what I want to do.

 

[jcardona1]

i think a DIY sump with a filter sock incorporated into it will take care of all your bio and mechanical filtration needs

 

[p3rf3ctsp3cim3n]

Plant life is great at filtering crap out.

 

[FSM]

That's gonna be a PITA to decorate/clean.

Plant life is great at filtering crap out.

You'd need a ton of light to get good growth though.

 

[knobhill]

i think a DIY sump with a filter sock incorporated into it will take care of all your bio and mechanical filtration needs

i added a filter sock prefilter to my wet/dry...so much better and easier to maintain.

 

[p3rf3ctsp3cim3n]

That's gonna be a PITA to decorate/clean.




You'd need a ton of light to get good growth though.

Yeah, I use full spectrum lights at 200W with heat since my turtles need to bask so they get plenty of light. That's how I control my algea, otherwise, it's a nightmare.