New filter needed, sugestions?

[Orion]

I need a larger filter for my 65 gallon tank. Right now I'm running an XP1 on it. I like to overfilter my tanks in general.

I have a few different options. I can buy a XP3 or Fluval 4xx for the 65 gallon. I have a XP3 and Fluval 404 on my 75 gallon right now, so another option I'm thinking is upgradeing to a sump. If I go sump, then I have plenty of options for the 65.

I like the idea of a sump, but never had one before. I'd have to get everything from scratch equipment wise. It would be a no brainer for me if my old 45 gallon would have fit under the 75 gallon stand, but it's about an inch to narrow inside the stand. I've got some 20 gallons that I could use, but I'm not sure that it would provide enough space. It may though. If I did I would probably leave the fluval on the tank for mechanical filtration and use the sump strictly as bio.

Just looking for idea's and opionions here.

 

[bala_aquarium]

ive never used a sump and i really dont want to becuase it seems like to much work.I would go with the fluval 4xx on the 65 gallon

 

[Mahamotorworks]

Are these SW or FW tanks? IF SW the 45 would have been I deal. If is it FW the 20's Should work all you are looking for is mostly mechanical filtration. You can do a small Fuge with a 20. I dont know if it would help any but a 30L should fit. I dont know if you would be albe to trade tank for tank at a LFS.

MAHA

 

[tropicalfish]

you could do an xP3/4, or if you have space, a sump...

 

[Lotus]

If it's going to be a planted tank, a sump isn't such a good idea, as it causes CO2 to get dissipated.

 

[Orion]

Sorry if I left some things open for confusion. Both tanks are FW, the 75 gallon has some java fern in it, so for all practical reasons I think of it as non-planted. The 65 gallon is going to be planted, and is going to have a canister filter. It's the 75 gallon that I was thinking of doing a sump on.

Yeah MaHa I was disapointed that the 45 didn't fit under the 75. FW or SW I was wanting to use it anyway because 1: it would make one heck of a sump and 2: it would get it out of my way and put it to good use. I know it would fit under the 65 gallon, but as Lotus pointed out wet/dry filters aren't real good for planted tanks due to the Co2 loss.

EDIT:
Since the big question for me is if a sump would be worth the time and money on my 75 gallon I supose it would do good to give some background on the tank. I don't plan on having a super high stock. Right now I've just got 12 columbian tetra's and 2 Heros efaciatus (med. sized cichlids) and 2 clown plec's. I plan on adding some more small/med sized SA cichlids sometime in the future, and maybe some more tetra's and possibly a fancy plec or two if I happen upon something I like.

 

[Mahamotorworks]

You can always make the 75G planted wiht the filters and change the 65 into thetank with the sump.. Basically you can make it 2 tanks. The main display tank and the Sump/fuge tank as a second. It could be used as a fry rasing tank.

MAHA

 

[Orion]

Good idea, but I am not going to move all my plants and substrate from one to the other at this point Much more work than I want to do. Plus I would then have to figure a way to mount my CF's over the 75 gallon. The 65 gallon is a tall tank (24") and I'm rather curious how well it will turn out being planted. So maybe in a few years once this tank has grown in well I may think of swaping them out. Years being the key word lol.

 

[tropicalfish]

has there ever been an idea of a sealed sump?,.. or would it simply just turn it into an XXL canister filter?

 

[Lotus]

I'm not really sold on sumps for FW tanks, unless you have really messy fish. Sure, they add to your water volume, and allow you higher stocking, but I don't know that they really increase the health of the tank that much in other cases. I think you can achieve a really healthy aquarium with HOB/cannister filtration.

 

[Orion]

I agree 100% Lotus. I was just mainly thinking of doing this just for the sake of doing it as I've never used one before.

Part of the benifit of a sump setup is the high about of oxygen exchange that takes place. So sealing it off would totaly defeat this.

I don't want to buy a new canister, so I'm just keeping my eyes open for any deals on used ones. I got my XP3 and XP1 for around $80 a few years back.

 

[Lotus]

The only reason we have Fluvals is that we picked them up for like $10 each. Used is a great way to go!

If you have fun playing with pumps and plumbing, etc. it sounds like a good project. I have a ton of used bioballs, if you want some for cheap.

 

[Orion]

I'm hot on the heels of a complete Co2 setup for around $150, so the sump may have to take a back seat for a while. But if I do set one up I'll certianly hit you up for some of those bio-balls!