i def suggest the rena XP-3s, i have had one on my 5ft 120g for the past 8yrs or more and had absolutely no problems with it, ive only had this one filter on it and it has kept my tank pristine and i havent had to replace a single piece, and they are much cheaper than eheims when price is a concern. you just need to set it up differently, i dont use carbon at all on my tanks so i just have mech fiiltration in the upper part of the first section and in the bottom sections and then nothing but tons of biomedia in all the mid sections (ceramic rings and bio-stars). im not sure how strong the filter you have right now is but if its fairly strong then i think you could get by with just that and an XP3 and just take out all carbon and use the extra space for more biomedia, though i dont overstock so with overstocking you may need to go with 2 XP-3s.... (just dont get XP-4 because lots of people have had problems with them)
My fishlist for my 125 Central American Aggresive Biotope
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ok well i am going to start looking for eheim's, fx5's and the rena's and fluval's. i have a friend with a 210 and he said he uses a 405 and fx5 to filter, and has two internal powerfilter holders that are filled with biomedia instead of filters. i think i will use the biomedia idea in one of the filters and still use the carbon in one of the others. i think i can afford to use 1 305 and 1 fx5. or 1 eheim and 1 fx5. any suggestions on media, besides carbon and bioballs or biorings??? thnx
If you get an FX5 you wont need another filter. I wouldn't use carbon, it has a short life span (couple of weeks) and isn't needed if you doing proper water changes. Stick in extra bio media instead.
Oh my god. "You wont need another filter"... I dont care what anybody says... get dual filters. Like mentioned before - If one fails, at least you have a back-up (another one to keep the tank running till you can fix/restart/replace it).
An FX5 is an awesome filter, but I would not run ONLY that. Those and the new G-series fluvals are the only decent fluvals in my opinion and experience (I have a lot of friends who use these and trash the normal units, and I also do tank maintenance for a company and have seen all types of filters first hand over years). You will be better off with 1 FX5 (but please run at least a couple sponge filters with it, or a hang on back)... than you would be with a couple 305's or anything like that.
Eheims ARE terrific filters, they are well-designed, and much less likely to break than anything out there, and VERY few people dislike them. The only downside to them is cost usually, but (That gentlemen who's username I cant remember) suggested you should be able to get some for a price similar to a Rena... I'd do it! Rena's sometimes have problems sealing the head to the unit (XP-3 or 4)... its not often, but it friggen sucks when that happens because the clips on the heads are not as strong as on a fluval or eheim. They are still great filters and I would go with one of those over a 305/405 anyday. Plus the hoses and outputs are much better made and the filters are SUPER simple to clean and unlikely to crack.
Eheim is also VERY VERY quiet... one thing they are well known for, and use very little power (though I have not compared cannister filters in particular)... but I know eheim makes good pumps.
I wont comment on the fish choices, but I have to agree that the tank will be overstocked. Glad you chose to remove the oscar and some of the other fish. It will definitely help you out.
Also those fish prices, I agree, are crap. There is no way you should be paying near $100 for any of those fish on that list! Try somewhere else. Your friend is not helping you out, sorry to say. Plus a "$50" friend fee? wtf is that? Lol. You are a customer, stores should order things for there customers... deals should be even better for friends.
*I just read, you said you can probably afford the FX5 and the Eheim? If so... Do that up. You WILL NOT regret it! I think everyone on this forum can agree that at least 1 of those filters will be a good choice... (even if they dont like the other).. So yeah. Try for the FX5 and something else... even if you cant afford an Eheim or Rena to go with it... maybe get an Aquaclear AC-110 HOB. That will help, but the others will do better. And definitely boot up the 5 bucks, go to a cheap asian fish store (like with ripped-off equipment and stuff) and pick yourself up a $5 sponge filter, just as a back up and have it running all the time.
Hope that helps,
Cheers,
Chris
(Sorry my post is long and disorganized... Its late and things came to mind out of order).
An FX5 is an awesome filter, but I would not run ONLY that. Those and the new G-series fluvals are the only decent fluvals in my opinion and experience (I have a lot of friends who use these and trash the normal units, and I also do tank maintenance for a company and have seen all types of filters first hand over years). You will be better off with 1 FX5 (but please run at least a couple sponge filters with it, or a hang on back)... than you would be with a couple 305's or anything like that.
Eheims ARE terrific filters, they are well-designed, and much less likely to break than anything out there, and VERY few people dislike them. The only downside to them is cost usually, but (That gentlemen who's username I cant remember) suggested you should be able to get some for a price similar to a Rena... I'd do it! Rena's sometimes have problems sealing the head to the unit (XP-3 or 4)... its not often, but it friggen sucks when that happens because the clips on the heads are not as strong as on a fluval or eheim. They are still great filters and I would go with one of those over a 305/405 anyday. Plus the hoses and outputs are much better made and the filters are SUPER simple to clean and unlikely to crack.
Eheim is also VERY VERY quiet... one thing they are well known for, and use very little power (though I have not compared cannister filters in particular)... but I know eheim makes good pumps.
I wont comment on the fish choices, but I have to agree that the tank will be overstocked. Glad you chose to remove the oscar and some of the other fish. It will definitely help you out.
Also those fish prices, I agree, are crap. There is no way you should be paying near $100 for any of those fish on that list! Try somewhere else. Your friend is not helping you out, sorry to say. Plus a "$50" friend fee? wtf is that? Lol. You are a customer, stores should order things for there customers... deals should be even better for friends.
*I just read, you said you can probably afford the FX5 and the Eheim? If so... Do that up. You WILL NOT regret it! I think everyone on this forum can agree that at least 1 of those filters will be a good choice... (even if they dont like the other).. So yeah. Try for the FX5 and something else... even if you cant afford an Eheim or Rena to go with it... maybe get an Aquaclear AC-110 HOB. That will help, but the others will do better. And definitely boot up the 5 bucks, go to a cheap asian fish store (like with ripped-off equipment and stuff) and pick yourself up a $5 sponge filter, just as a back up and have it running all the time.
Hope that helps,
Cheers,
Chris
(Sorry my post is long and disorganized... Its late and things came to mind out of order).
ok i found some good prices on some eheims, but what eheim in particular??? there are sooo many different ones... so here is what i will probably have: 1 h.o.t magnum pro series filter, 1 fluval fx5 canister filter, and 1 eheim of whatever is the best of the bunch. along with 1-2 cheaper sponge filters. i will take your advice and use lots of biomedia. ya i found a better store, 20-40$ for all the fish i don't allready have, and hes willing to order for me. if i bought the fx5 would that work with 5-6 small baby cichlids while i save up some cash for the ehiem??? i will post the stages for fish buying as soon as i get it figured out...
ok so i allready have for round 1 which i allready have done, the jd's the bp and the pleco and am going to buy the leoporinus as soon as it gets in. after i get the 125 setup i think i will do: round 2= 1 convict, 3-5 pictus pim cats, 1 texas cichlid. round 3= 1 green terror, 1 toadfish. know my question is if i get the fx5 and put the round 1 fish in the 125 will the fx5 and my hang on back magnum hold me out until round 2??? i will not do round 3 until the tank is fairly setup and has been running well for 2-4 weeks. round 2 will be after about 1-3 weeks after setup in the 125 after the round 1 fish get settled in.
Hey dude,
Really glad to hear you found some good prices... And basically, get the 'larger' size you can afford. Ron Burgundy suggested the Eheim 2217 Classic... that should be just fine (especially running your other two filters).
I dont think you need 2 sponge filters if you've got the 3 others on there... its really just a back-up thing incase they dont start back up right.
The FX5 will definitely cover you for just a few small fish in the tank. Just do your waterchanges and maybe toss in one of those sponge filters for some good surface agitation (from the bubbles).
Glad you found a new store! Those prices are way better, lol. Sorry to hear your friend wasn't really helping you out.
For your 'rounds', try to extend the periods between additions of all these stock to the tank, and you'll end up making the transition for the aquarium (and it's biologicals) a little easier. I would wait at LEAST a couple weeks after 'round 1' and like 3 weeks after your 'round 2'. You can get away with shorter, yes... but doing it right man, I tell you, makes things work so much better. I've become a lot more patient with my tanks and stock them lower and my water is unbelievably clear and fish are fat and super healthy.
Patience is a virtue!
Your on the right track!
Good luck,
Chris
Really glad to hear you found some good prices... And basically, get the 'larger' size you can afford. Ron Burgundy suggested the Eheim 2217 Classic... that should be just fine (especially running your other two filters).
I dont think you need 2 sponge filters if you've got the 3 others on there... its really just a back-up thing incase they dont start back up right.
The FX5 will definitely cover you for just a few small fish in the tank. Just do your waterchanges and maybe toss in one of those sponge filters for some good surface agitation (from the bubbles).
Glad you found a new store! Those prices are way better, lol. Sorry to hear your friend wasn't really helping you out.
For your 'rounds', try to extend the periods between additions of all these stock to the tank, and you'll end up making the transition for the aquarium (and it's biologicals) a little easier. I would wait at LEAST a couple weeks after 'round 1' and like 3 weeks after your 'round 2'. You can get away with shorter, yes... but doing it right man, I tell you, makes things work so much better. I've become a lot more patient with my tanks and stock them lower and my water is unbelievably clear and fish are fat and super healthy.
Patience is a virtue!
Your on the right track!
Good luck,
Chris
ok so would 3 weeks in between the rounds be ok??? ya it turns out the store i was buying the mice for my snake, also the place i bought the snake, had the fish and he is willing to order too. told the other guy his prices sucked and he said he didn't care... his loss!!! thanks for all your help i will start posting pix in my albums.
