ocean clear/nu-clear canisters

[the_deeb]

I was planning on using a sump to filter my plywood paludarium (see build in sig) but for various reasons I'm now considering going the closed-loop canister filter route. I'm thinking of using either an ocean clear or nu-clear setup together with a lifegard heater module. This is going to be the only filtration on the tank (water volume in the tank will be around 100g).

The tank outlet is going to be a 3/4" bulkhead on the rear and returns will be divided between a 3/4" bulkhead connected to loc-line at the water surface and 2 1/2" bulkheads that will feed a dripwall at the top of the tank. The dripwall and plants will hopefully provide plenty of bio-filtration so I'm primarily looking for some quality mechanical filtration.

What are your experiences with these filters? Do you think a single unit will be fine or do I need to double up with 2 canisters? I'm looking for suggestions on plumbing setup and a good pump to use. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[rudy1964]

They are very good canisters for large tanks, excellent mechanical and very good bio if they are set up right. You will need two inline if this is going to be your only source of filtration.
If its me i would set it this way:
First canister a 25 microm, fallow by an emty canister and fill with eheim bio media or other similar bio media.
The pump will be a panworld 40px 480GPH, this pump its a pressure pump, thats what you need for this canisters.
Overall cost it will be more expensive than buying a good canister ready to plug. Also i didn't put the cost of plumbing. For a 100 gallon you can buy as i said a good canister a lot cheaper.

 

[CA-Delta]

Closed loop canister you say.

I recently purchased three Ocean Clear 325's to replace my humble setup.
Haven't done it yet. I'll get to it eventually. Go look at CHOMPERS "septic tank".
There are lot's of ways to build a bio filter.

 

[Egon]

The best and most underrated canister filters IMO. I have both kinds. The big difference between Nu-Clear and Ocean Clear is Nu-Clear has 1" openings for plumbing and Ocean Clear uses 3/4" plumbing. Another difference is the Nu-Clear has an easer opening and closing lid for filter maintenance IMO. Also Nu-clear is stackable so you can put one canister filter right on top of another "special top unit" and use only one lid/top. Doubling filter media in the same foot print, of course it's twice as tall and would never fit in a stand under a tank. Both types can be ran in series like putting two or three batteries together in a flashlight, all running off the same pump.

Below is a picture of two of my Ocean Clear (least favorite of the best canister filters ever made) filters. I can change out a filter in 10 to 15 minutes if there's easy access. I have extra filter cartridges (they last a couple years) and I do quick swap outs and then soak the dirty filter cartridge in bleach water for a few days and hose it clean to re-use again later.

When looking for a pump go with the pressure type of pump. When you start doing your research on pumps you will understand. The cool thing is you pick your pump and match it to the GPH your going to need for a given tank, 5X turn over 7X turn over and so on. You got a 55 get a smaller pump than a 125 and so on. Your fish start growing get a bigger pump.

Anyway, I obviously like these filters to much

 

[rudy1964]

Egon i agree with you. These are the best canisters under rated, i read a lot people saying that need a drill tank and also don't know how to set them. I had that problem when i set up my first ones, choosing the right pump was a dilema. You right about the pump it has to be a pressure pump. I see your set up and you have to pumps, why not set them inline, here its a pic of one of my set up.

 

[Egon]

Egon i agree with you. These are the best canisters under rated, i read a lot people saying that need a drill tank and also don't know how to set them. I had that problem when i set up my first ones, choosing the right pump was a dilema. You right about the pump it has to be a pressure pump. I see your set up and you have to pumps, why not set them inline, here its a pic of one of my set up.

My set up is for a Goonch cat fish. See the large tweezers on the tank lol that's for hand feeding and keeping fingers. Two of my favorite things.

The Goonch needs a high flow, so I have two separate systems and I had two very old pumps I don't trust anymore so it's a redundancy thing also. The back pump, you can't see, is over 20 years old. Has lubrication points for the front and back bearings lol. I lube it every 6 months and it's still running!

 

[the_deeb]

Thanks guys. I have two nu-clear canisters on the way (thanks to cjfrontlovr) and just ordered a Velocity T3 pump to power them.