I got my 180g!!! Now some filter questions, opinions needed

Post pictures of your beloved catfish aquaria here. Also good for pictures of your (cat)fish rooms or equipment discussions. If you are posting pictures of identified catfish, please do so in the appropriate husbandry and reproduction forum above.
Post Reply
User avatar
biomechmonster
Posts: 118
Joined: 20 Nov 2003, 00:42
My cats species list: 3 (i:0, k:0)
Location 1: Chicago, IL

I got my 180g!!! Now some filter questions, opinions needed

Post by biomechmonster »

We picked up the 180 gallon on Sunday--I ordered a regular tank (from glasscages.com) but since my order took a little longer to process they gave me a reef-ready tank instead. I tell ya, getting that thing in the apartment was a bitch, we went out and asked two random strong guys to help for $50 but they did it for free, which was cool.

I originally was going to get four filters for this tank: a Magnum 350, two Filstar XP3's, and an Eheim Wet/Dry 2229.

But now that the tank has its own overflow boxes built in, I decided I will build the wet/dry myself (wish me luck!). The sump for the wet/dry will probably be 40-30 gallons in size.

Now the question: what other filters should I get? I was considering the Magnum 350 and the two XP3's but would just one XP3 be sufficent?

The tank will have a couple gibbiceps plecos, a rhino pleco, a liposarcus pleco, a pair of senegal bichirs and a blue jack dempsey. Thanks in advance!
"Mr. Vaughan, what we are dealing with here is a perfect engine, er... an eating machine. It's really a miracle of evolution."
jj
Posts: 11
Joined: 13 May 2004, 01:40
Location 1: Tucson
Interests: fish,movies
Contact:

maybe this will help

Post by jj »

If i were you all the money your going to spend on overpriced canister filters, I would spend all the extra time and money towards a bigger sump with more filter material. I know a lot of guys at LFS who could give you some good pointers. Also plecos love good water flow so if you have an extra big pump they would love it. Also plecos shit often and it can get really large and taking canister filters apart a lot is a pain. also you have such a big tank, im jealous. you should rethink your fish choices but thats just me.
Rusty
Posts: 682
Joined: 30 Dec 2002, 14:51
Location 1: New York, NY
Interests: Mochokidae, Clariidae, Heteropneustidae, Malapteruridae, Chacidae, Cetopsidae, Bagridae, Amphilidae
Contact:

Post by Rusty »

JJ makes a good point. Canisters are not the right choice for the fish you are planning to keep unless you enjoy weekly filter maintenance. You need something very easy to clean because of the amount of crap that will accumulate. Go with a bigger sump, pump and maybe a powerhead or two if you want more water movement.

Rusty
Post Reply

Return to “Tank Talk”