Yea. That's why I went to canister but they get so dang disgusting. Sponges dont do enough mechanical filtration.
Setup ideas for a 120 gallon tank
- Thread starter Fishenvy
- Start date
Stocking RTC and TSN in 120 gal is no different than channel catfish and bass in 55 and 40 gal. Your language confuses me somewhat but If I understood you correctly, these are merely growouts anyway and if so and if you have a large enough enclosure for the fish later, this could work. Besides, you are not asking for the stocking advice.
IMHO setting up bigger tanks is no different than smaller tanks. Like tlindsey I am a sump guy although I did use canisters before. If you set up your main tank with an overflow as almost everybody does, it'd be hard to flood your sump, still possible, nothing is 100% foolproof. Some have their sump sit higher than their tank, something I have never tried before and don't know firsthand what advantages that would provide.
Circulation is set up so the water turnover is on average at least about 5x an hour, albeit it depends on the bioload. All my smaller tanks (ten 240 gal tanks) get 10x-15x an hour. Also it'd be best to maximize the water exchange in your tank, that is have no or little dead spots. The other extreme should be avoided too as in blowing your resident fish around the tank like autumn leaves with too strong of a current.
The old holes can be reused if found convenient for your new purposes or sealed off, if not. If the tank is glass, I'd not recommend drilling new holes as this is wroght with potential breakage and I would vouch for using the existing holes, whether they are situated conveniently or not.
If you are aiming for the best mechanical filtration, you can use polishing floss in your canister or an aquasock in your sump. Yet, I don't do either but this is because my sumps are so large (2x-4x larger than my tanks) that they serve as settlement and catchment basins too. I clean them once in 1 to 3 years.
IMHO setting up bigger tanks is no different than smaller tanks. Like tlindsey I am a sump guy although I did use canisters before. If you set up your main tank with an overflow as almost everybody does, it'd be hard to flood your sump, still possible, nothing is 100% foolproof. Some have their sump sit higher than their tank, something I have never tried before and don't know firsthand what advantages that would provide.
Circulation is set up so the water turnover is on average at least about 5x an hour, albeit it depends on the bioload. All my smaller tanks (ten 240 gal tanks) get 10x-15x an hour. Also it'd be best to maximize the water exchange in your tank, that is have no or little dead spots. The other extreme should be avoided too as in blowing your resident fish around the tank like autumn leaves with too strong of a current.
The old holes can be reused if found convenient for your new purposes or sealed off, if not. If the tank is glass, I'd not recommend drilling new holes as this is wroght with potential breakage and I would vouch for using the existing holes, whether they are situated conveniently or not.
I find both points surprising and not convincing / weak arguments. Bacteria and slime grow everywhere. Sumps get filthy. Fish poop you know. You and I too. It's no picnic at the beach. Also millions use canister filters and are happy with them. I know guys who used the same canister filters (usually Eheim) for 10 and even 20 years and these guys are far more advanced in the hobby than me.
If you are aiming for the best mechanical filtration, you can use polishing floss in your canister or an aquasock in your sump. Yet, I don't do either but this is because my sumps are so large (2x-4x larger than my tanks) that they serve as settlement and catchment basins too. I clean them once in 1 to 3 years.
Last edited:
