Filter/circulation Pump Dilemma

[IC1]

Tank:180l Bow front
Filter:ex700
Not heavily planted, no plans to either.

Fish: 1 red line torp barb(will increase when I find a local that is stocking), 1 x rubber nose plec, 10 rummy nose, 2 oto, 2 neons left.

Issue:low circulation and dead spots.
Turn over: Expect the actual turn over of the ex700 is probably ~350lph taking into account media and resistance via debris between cleans. Therefore ~2 tank fulls per hour.


Options
1. Due to cabinet size the only filters I can fit to up the lph are the 2217+ and fluval 405.

2. The second option is to install a hydor or tunze circulation pump.

My dilemma is which would be best from a cost v benefit perspective, i.e upped flow rate and filtering(cannisters) or just circulation(pumps)?

From those running circ pumps can you decrease/increase flow, tech specs on line are not clear? thanks

In addition I would like to future proof with kit as far as possible as in ~2years woud like to upgrade to a 5ft or 6ft.

Advice from the wise appreciated please.

Thanks IC1

 

[OldMan47]

The 1000 lph or 1200 lph model canister would probably be a better choice right now to get adequate flow. As far as being future proof, the larger filters also have a larger internal volume. The large internal volume means plenty of space for biological media and thus all that would really be needed for a larger tank would be a power head. I have several power heads that I use on various tanks and all of them have one or more methods of adjusting flow. Each one still only operates within a flow range so you do want to get one that is appropriately sized. If you have one that will pump 3 times what you want, it will be too big to throttle down all the way to what you really wanted.