Tank size vs filtration Question

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
H

Headrush

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jan 10, 2007
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Upstate New York
the biggest tank I've owned is my 90 gallon. I have 2 AC110 HOB filters and they work great. Now in the future I want to have a 6-8ft tank. I was trying to figure out how to filter it properly and am now wondering...

is there a point regarding tank size where the HOB's and or cannisters are obsolete, or useless? Do you guys with these large tanks have to use a special set-up to filter them or what? I've heard of the "drip" systems tho I really don't know much about them...yet

Just curious, what I should be looking into. I prefer to, and will, have a solid plan before even attempting such a large set up..But I'm getting very curious.

Thanks to all :headbang2

:popcorn:
 
wet/dry is best bet easy to use/run less power more bio allow you to hide things
 
You are right to ask first :headbang2 Kudos!

Filtration requirements/set ups are not an exact science; there is not a failsafe formula in place (unfortunately). There is a lot of debate about the proper answers, but the easy answer is to over filter the water.

What is important is the area available for your bacteria to live. You need to have enough bacteria to convert your bio-waste, and room for future growth and spikes. The type of filter or media does not matter (irrespective of crappy designs and inefficiency).
 
Ok if your going 8 feet I say a wet/dry would be the best for you. Now anything under that I would just use some large canister filters. If you were to run HOB's I say anything under 100 gallons. You can do some HOB and canister combos too so keep that in mind. Drip systems are only needed if you have a tank like fishguts lol. If you got over 15 large C/A cichlids in a 6 footer you WILL need a drip system. Yes Fishguts I am using your tank as an example lol. Wet/drys are very energy effecient and do a great job of bio filtration and some mechanical. If you do a gravity feed sump with just a return pump would be optimal. The rule is this: HOB's 10x turnover, Canisters 5x turnover and a wet/dry should be 4x. These are basically the golden rule lol.
 
A drip system is not a substitute for proper filtration and should never be relied on as such. It is only to take the work out of water changes. A drip system will not remove ammonia fast enough.
 
Well I don't see any HOB's at SeaWorld so I think we progress to the next level :D.

Drip systems are in place W/C's and topping off.

Study up on (the design and function of) canister filters, Wet/Dry systems, Sumps (yes they can be separate), Trickle towers, Bio-filters, Bio-Wheels, Media types, Bacteria types, etc. etc. :D

Read journal write-ups (Universities are good for this) (patents are interesting too) not advertisements. If someone sells something take their advice with a grain of salt.

Yawn, am I boring you yet?

There are actually scientific formulas for everything we do here, (volume of media for bacteria count for nutrient level for water flow for biologicals) it's just difficult to calculate the variables (human error,i.e. change in chlorine from county water kills some bacteria in the filter, ammonia spikes, water clouds, fish start acting funny, we panic and do a 50% W/C not accounting for higher level of chlorine in the tap water and kill off the rest of the bacteria, fish start back-stroking, you feel a stroke coming on, then get on MFK and and ask what could possibly be wrong ;) ).

Where was I? Oh yea...Good Luck :D.

We're here to help.

Dr Joe

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Dr Joe;1142381; said:
Well I don't see any HOB's at SeaWorld so I think we progress to the next level :D.
Click to expand...

haha smarta$$ :D :ROFL:

Really though, you guys are a big help. BUT I am really a newbie as far as filtration I guess. My only experience is with HOB's and I've looked into cannisters, but wet/dry, sumps, pumps, drip systems...thats all stuff I have to learn about. can I find most of that info in this section of our forums or is it more of a DIY type of topic?

I definitely understand the basics of filtration ie: the Nitrogen cycle, purpose of media, etc... and I also Firmly believe in over filtration myself (thats why I have 2 AC 110's on a 90). I also like the idea of a "drip system limiting or eliminating water changes. Yes "Fishguts tank is the example that comes to my mind as well.

Like I said I'm trying to think it through now so I'm prepared down the road a few years. Would love to keep some larger species, perhaps parachromis Loisellei (is one of my favorites I've never kept). But I have homework to do.

More suggestions? Lets say I go with an 8 foot tank (Balton's 253 is 8 foot long right?)

:popcorn:
 
What kind of engineer are ya?... do you get to blow the whistle or ring the bell?

Just curious.

Dr Joe

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