Need advice on filtration for a 265g

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Dark SSide

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 26, 2010
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Toledo, OH
I purchased my 265 gallon Clarity Plus acrylic tank from craigslist about a year ago. It was my first large tank and I thought I did my research on all aspects of the tank. Well I didn't and trusted the sellers word about the filtration, he said the sump was rated for up to three hundred gallons. I did research before I bought the tank on a e-shopps WD-300cs but never really seen a picture of one. When I was setting up the tank I always assumed because it had the dual 1" inlets to the drip tray it was a 300cs. So I have been thinking about adding an FX5 for extra filtration anyways since my haps are starting to get big and it seems like I clean out my drip tray pad 2x a week. So I'm in my LFS that I have a good relationship with and see what looks like a huge sump from e shopps. I ask if they have a new one out because I thought my 300cs was the largest. He says no that is the 300cs. So I go home do some research and find out mine is only a WD-150cs rated to 150g. It is really obvious now but it just never crossed my mind to check the sump. The sump has been modified with bigger holes in the drip tray and I use two levels of filter pads, ceramic rings under bio balls, 36w uv sterilizer, duck weed and jungle val growing in the sump with a mag 18 as a return pump. I have an auto water changer that does roughly 10% changes per day. Water quality is great and have never lost any fish mysteriously. My question is what would you do first get an FX5 or get a bigger sump. The sump I have now is working overtime, but it is working just a lot of maintenance, and the fx5 would probably cut down on that as well. Or is there another solution that I haven't thought of yet.Tank only has one overflow box so adding another 150cs sump on the other side isn't an option.

Bio load is about 50 african cichlids ranging from about 11" to about 4" and only getting bigger.

Thank you in advance,

Josh
 
I'd get the bigger sump first. More room for media and more flow through the system. With 50 fish the more filtration the better.
I'd skip the canister altogether if the sump is big enough too, but that's just me.
 
I personally like sumps over canisters any day. The ideal situation is to add the bigger sump with your smaller sump but you said two sumps is not an option so I would probably add the FX5 and keep your smaller sump, since you already have a sump and its working fine and all you want to do is add more filtration.
 
not to be a nay sayer here but what are your water parameters? you said everything was good and you are doing a 10% water change per day already. what do you hope to improve? cleaning your filter sock less ofter? unless i read wrong, the smaller sump is handling the same gph that the bigger sump would do (until you drill for another overflow)

if it ain't broke don't fix it......
 
Sarmo said:
not to be a nay sayer here but what are your water parameters? you said everything was good and you are doing a 10% water change per day already. what do you hope to improve? cleaning your filter sock less ofter? unless i read wrong, the smaller sump is handling the same gph that the bigger sump would do (until you drill for another overflow)

if it ain't broke don't fix it......
Click to expand...

I agree about if it's not broke don't fix it... but with some of my fish getting close to a foot they are producing more waste and I am starting to see more and more suspended particles in the water. The smaller sump is doing the job now but most of these fish are going to double in size, so it would be safe to assume they are going to produce more waste. I decided that I am getting an FX5 and putting the intake on the opposite side from the overflow. I am also adding more submerged ceramic media in the sump. Then after the first of the year I am going to upgrade the sump, this should give plenty of time for the FX5 to build enough beneficial bacteria in it. I will reuse the media in the old sump.

Any suggestions on sumps. I have an area that is 50"L x 20"W x 16"T. Has to have a bulkhead or be able to drill a bulkhead in as a drain for my drip system to work.
 
you could always build your own. that's what i did. then you can drill it how and where you want. building a glass tank is easier than you would think. all you need is the silicone, glass, hole cutters and tape to hold it together when it's drying. i got used glass from a glass shop and and a broken aquarium. i went with thick glass because it's easier to handle and doesn't break as easy. once you cut the glass, you can file the sharp edges with a metal file. then drill your holes, gl*******s.com, and put it all together in place. that way you can maximize the size you want. if you do this under your tank make sure you have a fan as the silicone in a tight space gets really strong.
 
I use a sump and a canister filter with the suction from the sump and the discharge back into the tank, as if the sump pump fails there is still water circulation over the bio media in sump.
 
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