Filstar plus ?

[dogdoc]

Planning on settinng up a 75 gal freshwater tank in the very near future, and trying to decide on some filtration. Pretty sure that at least one Rena Filstar XP3 will be going on it. But I'm wondering what else.

I really like the idea of dual filtration. And I don't plan on having any discus or long-finned species. Would you recommend another filstar (xp2, xp3) or possibly an aquaclear HOB?

Do you think it is worthwhile to try to add a biowheel to the equation? Like the pro-60 that I can just add to the return from one of the canisters?

Thanks in advance,

Mike

 

[Orion]

Canisters are very good for bio filtration, but IMO its hard to have too much.

I run a XP3 and an Emperor 400 on my 75 and it does a very good job of this. I'm a beliver in over doing some rather than underdoing. What type and the amount filtration is really going to depend on what fish you are planing to keep.

 

[Lotus]

We generally run two filters (or more) on all our tanks larger than 50g, just to have some backup in case of failure. Most of the time we have a HOB and a canister. It's nice to have a HOB that can be easily moved to another tank (like a hospital or quarantine tank) if needed, and our HOBs tend to give better surface movement (aeration) than the canisters.

Having two filters the same can be useful in terms of parts/filter media, as you don't have to think about which to buy for each.

 

[dogdoc]

So I guess that begs the question.. Would it be just as effective to run two big aquaclears? What advantages will I get from the canister?

 

[FroggyFox]

IMO canister filters are bigger, quieter, more effecient, have a bigger capacity for filtration and are more reliable than HOB's. In answer to your question, you could get away with running to big aquaclears...but I think that would be overly loud and kind of an eyesore. I really wish I would have gotten a canister for my 29 instead of the big loud HOB I got. I also think that you get what you pay for a lot of times with filters and yes canister filters are much more expensive than HOB's but I think they're worth it. You dont hear about as many maintenance issues with canister filters, might need to replace an impeller or something, but they're pretty well made. I'm always fiddling with my HOB's after I turn them off and try to get them restarted...haven't had an issue yet with my canister. If I was filtering a large tank I would go for two seperate kinds of filtration and water movement.

 

[ecotank]

We use both canisters and HOB's on our larget tanks as each has it's strengths and weaknesses.

I must say I'm totally sold on the Eheim Liberty HOB's. They have to be the quietest and most efficient HOB's ever made. We have replaced just about every HOB in the house with them (so we have about 10 of them) and the difference in noise, ease of cleaning and performance is amazing.

 

[dogdoc]

O.K. I think I'm sold on an XP3 and an aquaclear 110 (500) running in tandem on the 75. Do you think that this amount of filtration and water movement will be enough/too much/ too little?

As far as stocking goes, I'm probably going to do another tropical community at first. Nothing that makes too big of a mess. And I'm not into the big-finned, slow moving variety so probably no bettas or angels to worry about current-wise.

 

[dallasfreak]

wet dry keeps everyone alive...........Period

 

[dogdoc]

Would an Emporer 400 be a better choice than the aquaclear?

 

[Exister]

Would an Emporer 400 be a better choice than the aquaclear?

If you're using the canister for mostly/all bio filtration, I wouldn't think you'd need the Bio-Wheel apparatus. I prefer the AquaClear design overall anyway.