Pond Filter Advice

[miss__kp]

Hi All,

I'm just curious about the pro's and con's of using pressure pond cannister filters on large aquariums?

The model(s) I'm looking at are the Laguna Pressure Flo in either the 5000 or the 8000 (pond size in litres)

So I'm wondering if these are suitable? I have two x 350gal running 2 FX5's each but I want to beef up the filtration.

 

[mrunlucky07]

I have thought about it several times. Deals can be found on pond filters in the offseason that are quite tempting. The conclusion I came to is its not the best investment for the money. They are big, but not as big as their ratings. They are rated for watergardens without fish. Disadvantages for most pressure filters are they come without on/off valves, hoses, intake/returns, and a pump. Unless you get an external pump or have a sump you will be looking at a big pump in the tank too. The Lagunas do have quick disconnects and a backflush feature.

If you have 2 FX5s already on each tank you mechanical should be pretty much covered. If you do not want to add a wet/dry sump I would highly recommend a Fluidized bed filter like the Rainbow FBF600 or 900. (600 and 900 gallon bio capacity) They are under $100 even with a pump. I love them and as long as you have them positioned below the water level like a canister you shouldn't ever have a problem. I have them on several tanks and swear by them.

 

[zennzzo]

Fluidized bed filter would be my choice for Bio filtration, if I wasn't/didn't want to, run a wet/dry. Those small pressurized pond filters are really too small to run on a pond with fish...Like MrUnLucky said a water feature type pond with alot of pondplants they'd be oK...

 

[miss__kp]

Thanks for the info I didn't realise the ratings on the pond filters didn't account for fish. Question, does any company make a filter that's bigger than the FX5?

 

[zennzzo]

Thanks for the info I didn't realise the ratings on the pond filters didn't account for fish. Question, does any company make a filter that's bigger than the FX5?

Yeah, if you are talking bead filters...Any reason you are not going to a wet/dry filter?

 

[miss__kp]

Space mostly, I am using the space under the tank for more tanks, though it just occurred to me I could build up as there's 3foot of height under there. So is that the only reason why you can't use pond filters on fish tanks? the media / UV is all ok otherwise?

Sorry for the silly questions, I like to experiment and work out what would be better systems to the ones I have.

 

[zennzzo]

A wet/dry would take up less room, than a pond filter with the same capacity IMO...