What is the minimum filtration for a 125?

[Fry]

There is no such thing as minimum or maximum filtration, it's all dependent on stocking and tank setup. Post up what he wants to put in the tank and how he wants to set it up and you'll get more appropriate answers.

I agree.

I wouldn't have anyone with limited fish keeping experience bother with canisters. I'd say 2 or 3 AC110s depending on fish load.

 

[Alan Russell]

Absolute minimum filtration for that tank would be 1 air driven Hydro 5 sponge filter.

cool, that's what I'm going to suggest he go with

 

[WyldFya]

cool, that's what I'm going to suggest he go with

Keep in mind this is for very minimal stocking, with low waste. Personally I run far more for filtration. What will the stock list be, that will dictate what filtration is needed.

 

[Alan Russell]

Keep in mind this is for very minimal stocking, with low waste. Personally I run far more for filtration. What will the stock list be, that will dictate what filtration is needed.

can't give an actual stock list, but they want to go with a tropical community. My guess knowing my parents, as many different species as they can safely put in that tank. So for arguments sake. Let's just say 100 fish ranging from neon tetras to full grown tiger barbs in any possible combination.

 

[instantthc]

never go for minimum filtration. that only works for crap fish you really don't want. and since goldfish are some of the dirtiest fish around i would not suggest that

 

[SonsOfLeda]

can't give an actual stock list, but they want to go with a tropical community. My guess knowing my parents, as many different species as they can safely put in that tank. So for arguments sake. Let's just say 100 fish ranging from neon tetras to full grown tiger barbs in any possible combination.

Then there's no way I'd suggest using a lone sponge filter for any long term success in that tank what-so-ever. With the amount of bio-load that tank will be experiencing, combined with their lack of fish keeping experience (my assumption, but I doubt I'm that far off base), you're going to want to crank up that filtration by quite a few notches. Sponge filters are meant for fry or quarantine tanks - not for what you're looking for...

If I were you, I'd skip the sponge and go and get a pair of AquaClear 110s for them and start there. If they're up to it, the addition of a solid canister filter down the road would be good as well.

Good luck!

PS - Consider it your duty as a fish hobbyist to teach them how to fish, rather than just giving them fish (if you know what I mean). A good investment for you to give to your parents would be the book The Simple Guide to Freshwater Aquariums by Boruchowitz. It can be found for next to nothing on Amazon.com and is what I consider a must read when it comes to starting out in this hobby. I did the same thing for my parents and they couldn't be any happier with their 75G African Cichlid community that they put together pretty much by themselves.

 

[Alan Russell]

PS - Consider it your duty as a fish hobbyist to teach them how to fish, rather than just giving them fish (if you know what I mean). A good investment for you to give to your parents would be the book The Simple Guide to Freshwater Aquariums by Boruchowitz. It can be found for next to nothing on Amazon.com and is what I consider a must read when it comes to starting out in this hobby. I did the same thing for my parents and they couldn't be any happier with their 75G African Cichlid community that they put together pretty much by themselves.

my parents are already fish hobbiest and are familiar with how to manage a tank. They have just never had a tank this big and my dad is thinking that since this tank is double their 55g's it will only need double the filtration. i just disagree knowing what kind of filtration they have for their 55's.

 

[Alan Russell]

and btw i think the sponge filter for a 125 was sarcasm from both points.

 

[SonsOfLeda]

and btw i think the sponge filter for a 125 was sarcasm from both points.

I figured as much, but it's in my nature to think that way whenever anyone wants to know how to get by with the minimum amount of anything - especially when lives (even if they are "just" fish lives) come in to play.

 

[WyldFya]

Then there's no way I'd suggest using a lone sponge filter for any long term success in that tank what-so-ever. With the amount of bio-load that tank will be experiencing, combined with their lack of fish keeping experience (my assumption, but I doubt I'm that far off base), you're going to want to crank up that filtration by quite a few notches. Sponge filters are meant for fry or quarantine tanks - not for what you're looking for...

If I were you, I'd skip the sponge and go and get a pair of AquaClear 110s for them and start there. If they're up to it, the addition of a solid canister filter down the road would be good as well.

Good luck!

PS - Consider it your duty as a fish hobbyist to teach them how to fish, rather than just giving them fish (if you know what I mean). A good investment for you to give to your parents would be the book The Simple Guide to Freshwater Aquariums by Boruchowitz. It can be found for next to nothing on Amazon.com and is what I consider a must read when it comes to starting out in this hobby. I did the same thing for my parents and they couldn't be any happier with their 75G African Cichlid community that they put together pretty much by themselves.

You haven't run a Hydro 5 sponge filter than. These filters are able to maintain far higher levels of waste than most HOB filters, given proper tank maintenance. These filters can be used on anything from goldfish to fry to large predator tanks with little to worry about.