New 180 gal setup, FX5 v.s Eheim 2229

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bugz

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 2, 2006
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Hi~ guys,

I am planing to set up a 180 gal tank for my monsters.... and i am running into some filter problem here, I wonder anyone can give me some comments or feedback on this.

Ok... so the filters... I wish i can stick a 60 gal tank (DIY wet/dry filter)underneath the 180 gal's stand... however I am not too too sure if the stand's opening is wide enough for me to slide the 60 gal in. if not.. I guess I can go only 40 gal...., and I also have one new AC110 filter and power heads....

Here comes my question.... how much more filteration do I still need ? I get to choose between FX5 or Eheim 2229 (wet/dry?) They are abt the same price, and have different adventage against each other... the website says... FX5 can support 400gal tank with 900 gph pump output, The Eheim 2229 can only support 150 gal tank with ??? gph (not too sure abt the number), yet it seems to have stronger Biological filtration and better build quality (my XP3 broke easily...T T)

I am gonna put my 2x stingrays, 1x 20" tallbody arowana, 1x 19"+ TSN, 1x 7" Severum, some plecos in the tank. Also, I wish to put some dats and loaches in it (if i can come up w/ $$$)...

What's your suggestion and comment on this ? Do I need any more filter ?


Thank you very much~~ :)

Jerry
 
so~ 1x 60gal sump, 2x FX5, 1x AC110...!!???

That's a lot of fiteration... and money... $$$$ .......
 
A single FX5 would have NO trouble at all filtering a 180 gallon tank on it's own...let alone with a small sump and HOB unit as well...Most of what your paying for on the Eheim 2229 is the complicated wet/dry system...if your running a 40gallon sump for bio filtration then you don't need this feature so why pay for it? go with the canister with the greatest capacity.

The XP series is made by Rena (not my favorite manufacturer by a long shot.)

The FX5 is made by Fluval ( A company I've had no problem with at all quality wise and I run a LARGE number of them.)

Fill the FX5 baskets with ceramic rings and NO additional mechanical media...you don't need it. it will only cause the canister to clog sooner. it has MORE than enough foam for mechanical filtration.
 
Yep, I heard the Eheim 2229 is a complicated filter. Since it's a wet/dry filter it has more moving parts than a Eheim Pro II which means more moving parts more chance of things breaking. I heard nothing but good thing about the Fx5. Only complaint I hear is that the filter is so big that sometimes it's impossible to fit into smaller cabin tank stand. Plus, if you need to move this out to do service be prepare to haul 50-60lbs of weight because that is how much this thing weight.

I think a Fx5, 40gal sump, plus a AC110 is sufficient filtration if you do weekly water changes and no overstocking. Pick up an XP3 if you don't want to spent that much. JLNguyen has a few sitting around for sale which are in superb conditon. I also have a Marineland C 360 canister for sale if you're interested. It's only 1 week old.
 
Isnt Wet/Dry supposed to be better ??

So, I guess overall... ppl think FX5 is better ?

That will actually work for me, FX5 is a lit cheaper also...
I want to have something simple, not feeling like to plug like 5,10 filters.... = = lll
 
The FX-5 is good from what i have seen and read and dont wory about the weight as fishgonewild said because the FX-5 has a back wash feacher so you can do a water change and then empty the filter befor you move it.
 
Yeah i would say grab an FX-5, i plan on gettin one for additional filtration on my 518
 
2x stingrays, 1x 20" tallbody arowana, 1x 19"+ TSN, 1x 7" Severum, some plecos in the tank.
Click to expand...

What kind of stingrays are you getting? Sounds like you will need LOTS of filtration and water changes with this fish combo!
 
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