Filtration Requirements

[Becca]

Ok. I posted a question at a different forum thinking "Ohh, this one is species specific, and it's what I'm setting up my 75-Gallon as - sooo, they should know what they're talking about, right? Well, I'm walking away from a single post (which, granted has only lasted a day) thinking "Hmmm, maybe I should just stick with TFF".

Anyway, I posted a question about possible stocking options for my 75-G African Cichlid Tank. Asked if anyone had any recommendations. Told them exactly this:

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"After researching size requirements, taking into account the floor space I have available and funds I have available, I decided on a 75-Gallon Perfecto setup with an Aquaclear 500. I'm getting it tomorrow and I'm stoked!!"
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What I got back were 3 responses, 2 of which said that they were new to fish all together, and one questioned my selection of the Blue Dolphin (which, I already knew about and have been considering donating when I do the transfer.)

The one thing in common with most of the replies was my filtration. They seem to think that I won't have enough filtration for a 75-Gallon Cichlid tank. I looked up the specifications of the AquaClear 500, which is what I have. Check it out here.

The box says it's ideal for between 60 and 110 US Gallons. The website says it can support up to 150 Gallons. It's maximum capacity is 500 US Gallons / hour. I thought that would be more than sufficient...but I guess not?

Can someone confirm or deny whether my Aquaclear 500 will be enough filtration for a 75-Gallon Cichlid setup? If I need more filtration, would it be best to just return the Aquaclear (as I've not yet opened it) and opt for the more expensive Fluval Canister?

Thanks much!

 

[Colisa lalia]

I think what they believe is not enough filtration is a fear that this unit looks old and not as efficient as some of the newer models. I wouldn't suggest it because it will be diificult to clean that sponge out very well, and you can't add carbon. However it will be enough to filter your tank. You want around the tank water to be compeletley turned over -5 times an hour, and for Africans we're looking at the 5 much more than the three on that scale.

 

[Becca]

Ahh, thanks much. So, if I turn my filter up to 500 GPH, it'll be turning over the tank MORE than 5 times an hour as the tank is a 75-Gallon. (and with sand, decorations and fish, I'll probably have closer to 70 gallons in the tank.)

That makes sense!!!

 

[luxum]

Becca, those ACs are pretty good filters, but i'd get a canister if i was you (of course i'm biased, i'm in with my canister). You can use more filter media in a canister and customize your media to your liking. They do an amazing job of filtering and maintenance is easy and doesn't need to be done as often as with a HOB. If you stick with the HOB kind, maybe using 2 of them would be a good solution.

 

[tstenback]

Becca, those ACs are pretty good filters, but i'd get a canister if i was you (of course i'm biased, i'm in with my canister). You can use more filter media in a canister and customize your media to your liking. They do an amazing job of filtering and maintenance is easy and doesn't need to be done as often as with a HOB. If you stick with the HOB kind, maybe using 2 of them would be a good solution.

Biased!!! this from someone who hugs her canister

Great advice. I would give a second recommendation on the canister. I have found that in larger tanks that if you use 2 hob filters the cost comes out comparable to a canister and you get IMO better filtering with the canister and less maintenance.

 

[Becca]

Ok, fortunately I've not taken my Aquaclear 500 out of hte box yet, so I can return it if I have to. Might as well start everything off right here...

If I were to go with a Canister, anyone have a particular brand I should grab?

 

[Becca]

Becca, those ACs are pretty good filters, but i'd get a canister if i was you (of course i'm biased, i'm in with my canister). You can use more filter media in a canister and customize your media to your liking. They do an amazing job of filtering and maintenance is easy and doesn't need to be done as often as with a HOB. If you stick with the HOB kind, maybe using 2 of them would be a good solution.

Biased!!! this from someone who hugs her canister

Great advice. I would give a second recommendation on the canister. I have found that in larger tanks that if you use 2 hob filters the cost comes out comparable to a canister and you get IMO better filtering with the canister and less maintenance.

Terry - you LIE!!! Ok, I just looked at PetSmart's website and Hagen's website, here's what I found:

For a Fluval 404, the max output is 375 GPH, and that's most likely under perfect conditions. It's going to cycle through my tank 5 times / hour, so I'll want to get a second one. (I've been told that I need to cycle through my tank about 10 times / hour for African Cichlids.)

Here's what I've got that will cycle through my tank 10 times / hour. Prices are determined via Petsmart.com.

2 Aqua Clear 500 HOB filters: $31.69 US / each ($63.38 US for 2)
Max Output: 500 US Gallons / hour - per unit

or

2 Fluval 404 Canister filters: $179.99 US / each ($359.98 US for 2)
Max Output: 340 US Gallons / hour - per unit

Ok, while I do want the best for my fish, the cost for my 75 Gallon tank to filter it with Canisters is $296.60 more than what it'd be to filter it, properly, with 2 HOB filters. If I want to completely outfit my tank with canisters - it's going to be really pricey, and I cannot afford that cost right now. I just dropped about $400 for the tank, stand, equipment, sand, etc.

What might not be a bad idea, however, is to start off with my AquaClears and start saving up for a good canister set.

 

[yhbae]

Get one canister and one power filter! I plan to get Filestar XP3 and Aqua Clear 300 or 500 on my next tank, which will be 80g. XP3 + AC500 could be a serious overkill.

Both type of filters have pros and cons. Having both make up for each other. This is a common setup many auqrists prefer on their larger tanks.

I try to do more than 5x on all of my tanks. Even my 33g tank, with AC300 (which is already close to 10x), I plan to add another AC300. If one breaks down, the other one will keep the fishs alive. I don't see how you could loose by over-filtering in the long term. As long as your fishes can handle the extra current (most do), it will be ok. I'd say 5x minimum, and 2 filters are better than one, just like heaters...

 

[luxum]

Get one canister and one power filter!

Good plan! I of course am an Eheim convert and suggest the Eheim classic series as the best value for long term reliabilty, but it's not as easy to use as some other canisters. The Eheim ECCO is what i have, ridiculously easy to use, you could get the biggest one for under $100 at Big Al's and it comes with Eheim media. The Rena XP canisters have a good reputation, i would like to try one out if i ever get to have a nice big tank. ~sigh~ Anyways, Fluvals seem sort of hit or miss, some people love theirs, some say they leak.

Check prices at Big Al's, they seem a little lower than Petsmart, but if you want to buy it in a store, print out the online Petsmart price and ask for price matching as they are usually significantly marked up in the retail stores.

 

[vantgE]

I use a fluval 403 on my 90 gallon tank, it is not all about flow speeds. Because the faster it flows often the less bio filtration ocurs each time the wate passes, I am planning on moveing an aq200 on but it seems to small to do much, but canisters are definately better the best being eheims, and the best deal being fluvals, a 404 should be able to handle your 70 gallon but it never hurts to add another filter to help out, so if you are willimg to spend 350 for filtration, that's fine, I would save a bit and like the others said do one of each

 

[Bol]

For a Fluval 404, the max output is 375 GPH, and that's most likely under perfect conditions. It's going to cycle through my tank 5 times / hour, so I'll want to get a second one. (I've been told that I need to cycle through my tank about 10 times / hour for African Cichlids.)

Woah! A case of mixed signals, here, I think.

Those 5x and 10x flow rates are used for calculating the size of HOB filters, not canisters. Canister filters have significantly superior filtering abilities (compared to HOB filters), so you don't need that much flow with a canister.


edit: by the way, I bet there's a pretty good chance this setup will end up working just fine for you, although it may make some people cringe:

Start with an AquaClear 500. When finances permit, also get a Marineland Magnum 350 (canister -- about $80 online) with the idea of using it occasionally as a 'water polisher' (with the included micron filter cartridge). Then, if you find that the AC500 isn't 'cutting it', just run the 350 full-time, along with the AC 500.

 

[Becca]

Well, for cost sake - I'm going to go with 2 HOB Aquaclear 500s. Between the two of them, under perfect conditions, I'll have enough power to cycle through my tank approximately 13 1/3 times per hours. I think that's pretty decent.

Of course, I understand these aren't as great quality as a canister filter, but I can't foot the cost for a Canister at the moment. I have a choice of either waiting another 3-6 weeks before starting my cycle so I can start it with a canister, or spend another $30 now (which I can afford), have adequate filtration and save up over the next couple of months and replace one of the HOB with a Canister. IMO - that's not such a bad plan.

(Basically I'm taking everyone's opinion here to get a canister, but I'm opting with Bol's idea of starting the tank out on the Aquaclears - just adding one more to make sure I have MORE than enough filtration. When finances permit, I'll e-bay one of the filters and grab a kick-butt canister. )

 

[xXMrBonesXx]

Aquaclear filters are awesome .. ive never had a problem with them. im running 2 in my 65 gallon (200 & 300) ... your making a very good decision going with the AC 500 .. im not to sure but from my observations with my fish they like playing in the current the filter makes

 

[yhbae]

I agree!