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I was just wondering what kind of filter systems people have on the huge tanks i.e 200 - 400 gallons??

also waht shape are the tanks? still a rectangle?

so many planning queries for my breeding tank setup!

Well, most tanks are still Rectangles, and the filtration depends on what you're doing with the tank. If you're just planning on breeding fish, a big strong trickle filter with overflow box would be the best choice.

If your emphasis is on plants, multiple canisters might be a better choice due to the fact that trickle systems lose alot of CO2.

Mule wrote:Well, most tanks are still Rectangles, and the filtration depends on what you're doing with the tank. If you're just planning on breeding fish, a big strong trickle filter with overflow box would be the best choice.

If your emphasis is on plants, multiple canisters might be a better choice due to the fact that trickle systems lose alot of CO2.

I agree. I use multiples of Fluval 404's on my larger (180 US gallons+) freshwater planted aquaria.

Also, with the advances in acrylic tanks, an aquarium can be any shape you wish.

Dave

On my 40g tank I run one Fluval404 and one 100series trickle filter. If that helps.

Large tanks are also suitable for sump-filtering. This is a common practice on any tank over something like 100g, but of course, not necessarily the only possible option.

If you buy a 600l (~150 US gal) Eheim or Rena tank kit in this country, you get one or two external filters, and that's supposed to be sufficient [which of course will depend a lot on the specifics of what's kept in the tank].

Having more than one filter and perhaps also using different types of filter is always an option, and has some advantages:
1. Different filters can be cleaned separately - so you always have some filter bacteria in the tank.
2. Different types of filters have different strengths and weaknesses. Using two or more different approaches may help in covering those weaknesses such that you get a better result.
3. Having more than one filter also gives more variation possibilities on how the water flows and where you get strong currents - you can have two filters helping each other move the water in the same direction, or you can create more turbulent but less strong current if you pump water in opposing directions.

4. In big tanks, and tanks with a lot of "furniture", there may well be places that are almost "dead" when it comes to water movement. Having more than one filter may also alleviate this scenario. [Of course, still water may not be a BAD think in some cases - again, it depends on the fish].

Another important factor is of course what type of fish you'll be keeping in the tank - different types of fish have different filtration needs. I'm thinking of for instance Panaque species that create LOTS of "sawdust" when gnawing on wood - so they need stronger mechanical filtering than the average fishes. Same applies if you have fish that dig a lot in the gravel - typical, albeit not catfish, case would be Eartheaters.

Big fish produce a lot of ammonia in short periods of time, so they need a good biological filter.

There's an article in Shane's world on "Filter technology", which explains the strengths and weaknesses on different filter technologies.

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Mats

thats excellent thanks matsp.

I already have a 150 gallon tank so i was reasearhing for my new tank i want to set up just to breed L14 plecos. so it will need a min of 250 gallon.

Im having a 84"x30"wide,24"high tank built at the moment with a 60"x18"x18" sump built for it. In one of the compartment's of the sump are going to be laod's of bio ball's and big pond filter sponge's. I prefer sump's because you can hide everything like heater's and return pump's.

Kev

sounds interesting.

i have never seen a sump setup on a tank before so isanyone able to post some pics?

thanks

Here you have a example:
http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... s&start=30

And here a discusion about sumps:
http://www.planetcatfish.com/forum/view ... light=sump