SMB and getting started

[MicropterusSalmoides]

As far as the water quality factor though, I don't think you'll be happy with a 125 when your SMB and sunfish are big because you will either have to do lots of water changes or it will get pretty grungy.

just get a filter that would be good for 250g+ and water quality shouldnt be a problem

 

[nativelover]

check out www.glasscages.com for some deals. not sure how much shipping would put you behind...? but its worth a shot.

i really dont have anything to add to this, lol.

 

[ShadowBass]

just get a filter that would be good for 250g+ and water quality shouldnt be a problem

Filters don't remove nitrates and a lot of other organic wastes.
And no matter how much filtration you have in there the polishing pads or cartridges will get mucky really quick with a large fishload.

Adding more than adequate filtration will help keep the water clear but the gravel will stick get pretty mucky and the filter will still need maintained.
No matter how much filtration there is the same amount of physical waste will end up in it and the same amount of waste will decompose.

Believe me, my 125g has tons of filtration and I run a lot of filtration on all of my tanks, but it doesn't mean less water changes.

All more filtration means is clearer water and more biological bacteria capacity. I don't want to give anyone the impression that lots of filtration is a reason to slack on water changes, it's not.

Something like a sump will help with water quality, but only by adding water volume, which can be accomplished with a bigger tank also.

 

[ShadowBass]

BTW, I didn't want to imply that bigger filtration isn't a good thing, just that it doesn't necessarily give an excuse to slack on water changes or filter maintanance.

Your tank may APPEAR cleaner with a bigger filter, but you still have waste in your filter sitting there rotting if you go a long time without filter maintanance. Waste in the actual tank doesn't visibly appear to be a problem so it makes it look like the tank is just fine even though that's not necessarily the case.