cubs fan;4690390; said:
I have a 240g 8'x2'x2' tank and it's being filtered by a wet/dry sump. There are dual overflows that obviously only skim the surface of the tank. I keep frontosa, tricoti, and clown loaches and I'm currently having a problem with water clarity. Obviously, I need mechanical filtration. The problem is: the tank is acrylic and there are only 3 holes on the top of the tank eliminating the option for HOB filters. In order to run a canister filter I'd have to either cut a hole in my acrylic or run the tubing very awkwardly (snake-like around my top holes).
What would be my best option? I want CRYSTAL clear water.
You actually have a lot of options.
Are you using prefilter sponges in your overflow boxes?
A hole saw will very easily cut holes in the top of your tank should you decide to go that way. I was scared when we made four extra holes in the top of our tank, but it was quick and easy. Two of the holes were for an FX-5 uptake and return lines
At the very least, put prefilter sponges in the bottom of your overflow boxes and a filter sox and more filter floss in your wet/dry filter.
Check out Xander's filtration: He has a filter sock in his overflow box which feeds his Eheim filter. Notice that he has to change the sock every couple of days.
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=375939
Here's a radical suggestion that will allow you to have a canister filter and a wet-dry filter without drilling extra holes. (I'm assuming the holes on top of your tank are for return lines from the wet/dry filter)---Use only one overflow box for the wet/dry, and use the other overflow box for a set up like Xanders and use one of the exising holes for the FX-5 return. On our 300 gallon tank, we are only using one overflow box to feed our wet/dry filter. The other overflow box was plugged shut and never used. We have ample biological filtration using just the one overflow box.
Ideally: sponge prefilters in the overflow boxes, filter sock in the wet/dry filter with more filter floss added to the wet/dry; two more holes in the top of the tank for a good canister filter. You can also add a UV sterilizer to the return line of the FX-5 (just make sure the recommended flow rate matches the flow rate of your canister filter) The UV sterilizer will not help with particulates.
A canister filter will provide redundant filtration for your system. I live in an area with frequent power outages which can last for hours. Should the power go off at 1 am, I have to add water to the tank to get the bio balls submerged in the wet/dry filter. Having a secondary biological filtration source is like an insurance policy.
