New 350 gallon incoming

[philfreenode]

I am planning 96x36x24 tank with my tax refund, i'll basically pull the trigger on it as soon as the direct deposit hits my account. Filtration planned is two FX5s (just ebayed) and an XP4. Should be around 4x turnover.

Stocking is going to be two red bellied pacu, 1 common pleco, and about a dozen guppies who i hope make more guppies. I wish I could go bigger for my pacu but i have had to disassemble the pond i built in september when I got them . I had it up through the beginning of this month. They are now stuffed into a 55g. They are about 8 inches long. Humidity was collecting in other areas of the house and I found mold growing.... basically when it is the house or the fish the house is more important. This was despite having a venting fan to outside running constantly and a dropcloth covering. Also mulm was getting caught in the folds of the liner leading to constant ammonia readings as well, even though i had a couple gallons of ceramic media. Perhaps with a bigger budget i could have made a better pond, but compromise is necessary now and I would like to get them into a tank I can see them in.

So my question is you think the dual FX5s and XP4 is enough filtration for my tank? I plan to go bare bottom at first, maybe sand later.

 

[philfreenode]

Oh and what pro's and con's have you found for black background vs. clear background. Planning a tenecor, so i have a choice.

 

[Egon]

I have black backgrounds on all my show tanks and I really notice a difference when I feed and hang out with my grow out tanks. I hate to see cables, plumbing, algae, and the wall behind the tank. Let me see if I can find a pic for example......

Anyway the black background hides the above issues. Looking for pics now...

 

[philfreenode]

Is that pothos? Can't wait to see your black background tanks. I see your 3d background in your 450 but i don't intend to have a 3d background

 

[Chromobotia]

If your turnover ratio is correct, I don't think it will be enough. The ratio might be high enough to prevent ammonia build up but I don't think your water will ever be clear.

I had a lower than expected turnover ratio on my 500. I didn't have ammonia issues but the tank was constantly cloudy.

BTW, my tank is a Tenecor as well. I went with a blue backgroud. Looks awesome IMO.

 

[philfreenode]

350 gallon tank...

(2) fx5 at 600 gph with media - 1200 gph
(1) xp4 at 200 gph with media - 200 gph

Total: 1400 gph / 350 gallon = 4x turnover

Might be insufficient... but enough to keep ammonia and nitrite at 0? This is the media I am using: http://www.microbeliftusa.com/prod390.html

How much more filtration would I need for say.. clear (not invisible) water? Can I fill one of the fx5 baskets on each with polyester quilt batting and do pretty well? It's going to be a bedroom tank so noise is a concern.

 

[Egon]

350 gallon tank...

(2) fx5 at 600 gph with media - 1200 gph
(1) xp4 at 200 gph with media - 200 gph

Total: 1400 gph / 350 gallon = 4x turnover

Might be insufficient... but enough to keep ammonia and nitrite at 0? This is the media I am using: http://www.microbeliftusa.com/prod390.html

How much more filtration would I need for say.. clear (not invisible) water? Can I fill one of the fx5 baskets on each with polyester quilt batting and do pretty well? It's going to be a bedroom tank so noise is a concern.

It all comes down to how many fish your going to have, their size, feeding, tank temps, and so on. I think your starting out okay filtration wise. As the fish get bigger you may need to replace that XP4 with another Fx5 and then after a while put that XP4 back on for 4 total pumps.
The "quilt batting" will help, of course, but will also increase the maintenance.
You will need to change out that filter material often but the water will be crystal clear.

 

[philfreenode]

cool deal, I do not mind opening the cannister on say a bi-weekly (every other week) basis to replace batting if it saves me some money