Need Help: 120 Gallon Filtering

[Ponddigger]

I have a 120 gallon (4' by 2' by 2') plywood and glass fish tank and I need help with filtering. How many gph do I need, can I use two 60 gallon filters, do I need an air pump, ect. The tank will be a catfish tank. Any other info is welcome I am still a novice fish keeper and new to this forum.

 

[importracer]

4x2x2, simple.......Two Aqua Clear 101's........You into plywood, DIY stuff......Ever try building a DIY wet/dry????????It is really inexpensive and works perfectly.........A 120, easy I have built a DIY wet/dry for a 125-6ft tank......Go to your local Target and prurchase a 33g plastic storage container for $8.99.........Then go to your local Office Depot and purchase a plastic 3-drawer system for $9.99-12.99(They also sell them at Target).......PVC piping or flex tubing, it is up to you.....I prefer the PVC piping because it looks cooler to show off in front of other people.....Do your proper drilling of holes on the bottom of each drawer..........As for bio media, go to your Chinease Depot stores and purchase a bunch of scubbies.......You will be using these scrubbies as filtration media in your wet/dry.........Pretty much the only ingredients for this DIY wet/dry that will be purchased at a local fish store will be a return pump($79-100) and the filter floss that goes in the top drawer.........

 

[prettykitty]

Yes you could always build a sump or get an fx5

 

[Ponddigger]

Ok for the return pump how many gph do I need?

 

[jimolds8862]

make you're sump.

 

[Ponddigger]

ok cool

 

[Ponddigger]

um

 

[Ponddigger]

one more question return pump how many gph do I need?

 

[Ponddigger]

any1

 

[Racersk]

Not 100% sure, but do an online search for aquarium filtration rates. Most HOB styles are rated at 5x the tanks capacity per hour. In your case, you would need a system that circulated 120x5 = 600 gallons per hours worth.

Canisters are more efficient and I believe only 3x per hour or 360gallons per hour rated. For a sump or wet/dry I think that getting a pump between these numbers should be fine, ie: 500gph. But remember, that the rating usually is at a low head height, make sure you consider the height your trying to climb, as the pump flows less the higher you pump your water.