recommended filter types? 90g tank

hi,

thought someone might be able to point me in the right direction with regard to a new tank I'm setting up.

I've previously only had small tanks, now interested in a 90 gallon (360 litre) tank, and was wondering what type and brand of filters you guys would recommend from experience (ie which to select from interior/exterior/hanging/air/sponge/etc filters).

It's to be set up as a freshwater tank, for south american cichlids, dimensions are 60 x 18 x 20 inches.

thanks in advance.

cheers,

There are three forms of pollution; dissolved compounds such as ammonia/nitrites, inorganic pollutants such as phosphate and DOCs, and solid particulate waste such as uneaten foods and fish waste. High performance hang-on and canister filters flow rate (gph) is to fast, and their media box not large enough, for enough retention time for the break-down of DOCs (dissolved organic compounds). They make for great machanical filters, and do alright removing ammonia and nitrites, but clear water does not mean that the water is good. Cichlids, being larger, have more uneaten foods and waste, which means more DOCs and POCs (pariculate organic compounds) are being pumped right through the filter and into the tank. A build-up of DOCs and POCs create conditions that encourage disease, parasites, and opportunistic bacteria. As the water quality deteriorates, the fish suffer from stress, over time, chronic stress, and their release of pheromones (hormones that affect the behavior of other fish). Just pointing out that the water quality, is the most important factor affecting fish health! A filter with a bio-wheel is by far a better filter than those without. The bio-wheel gives the retention time needed for the break-down of DOCs.... There are three major factors affecting filter media; SSA (specific surface area), void space, and cleanability. Lots of different filter medias are used, ie; #5 - gravel, #4 - plastic, #3 - ceramic, #2 - matting, #1 - foam sponge. Gravels SSA is very poor, void space and cleanability, also very poor, thus #5. Foam sponge SSA, void space, and cleanability can't be beat, thus #1.... By keeping the machanical filter media clean, you reduce the load on the bio-section, encouraging growth of the nitrifying bacteria. A per-filter, changed or cleaned every 2 or 3 days, will keep solid waste from entering the bio-section.......Frank

I'm running a slightly larger tank on a Fluval 304 and an AquaClear 300. I also keep large cichlids, and the plants are plastic. The Fluval provides the bio-capability needed (1 media compartment of finer floss and then lots of bio-max in the other 2 compartments), and it has good flow. The AC300 is just a cheap & convenient filter, easy to clean, and provides turbulence to the other end of the tank (I keep it dialed low to maximize DOC retention time, and it's intake is situated to catch more mechanical detritus than the canister). For large tanks, I prefer to use 2 or more filters rather than a single large filter, so I have some redundancy. It also utilizes the strengths of different filter designs. Just ideas for you, hth

I'm running a Fluval 404 and an AquaClear 300 on an 80g. I also have an Eheim 2213 running on a 40g. If you don't mind spending the money, it doesn't get any better than Eheim. The 2213 is an older model and a little more difficult to clean than the newer ones but it keeps my 40g sparkling and it is the quietest filter I've ever heard. We have ours in our bedroom. And considering the savings over Eheim, I don't have any complaints with the Fluval so far - which is four months. Easy to clean for a canister. Relatively quiet. Accomodates any media you want to use. Finally, as per an earlier post, AquaClears are inexpensive and have a two year guarantee. A lot of folks use them exclusively on all of their tanks. Super easy to clean and IMO there are fewer current issues with the 'water fall' output of the AquaClear versus the spray bar of the Eheim or the output nozzle of the Fluval 404.

I'm running a 90g with an Eheim 2026 on one end and a Penguin 330 on the other. Prefilters on both.... it seems to be doing a bang up job. The prefilters are the key- I just rinse them in tapwater 2-3 times a week. I use the Eheim prefilters as they are very easy to remove and replace, but any fish safe foam sponge will do.

I also have a 2213 Classic running on a 65g (with a Fluval 201 as well). It's quiet, hasn't leaked, busted it's impeller once and I prefer the larger vertical foam inserts of the newer Fluvals, but it's still an excellent filter. The older Fluval 201 *cough* we won't talk about ;o) I don't mind the new Fluval's output nozzle for many applications, but if you want a spray bar, I think you can buy them separately (I just make my own so they can be the exact size I want).

I was thinking that a very cost effective filtration system for a large tank would be a few AC300s running at low speed. Unlike the smaller AquaClears, the 300 has the larger diameter intake and a fairly large media basket. It would be best to have access to the back of the tank to view the condition of the filters, and it would limit your ability to direct the return water, but it would work well, on the cheap.

I'm running an Emperor 400, and Fluval 304. Seem to do the job fine, and should one go down, got the redundency. Emperor 400 comes with two large cartridges, and two blank media containers to fill as you please. I've got my blanks filled with biomax. It's rated at 400gph, but when you got the inlet stretched to the bottom of the tank, and filled with media, it's lucky to be moving 200. When the tanks filled to the proper lever, the two shoots drop about 1' below the water surface, the there's mild turbulance and noise, overall very quiet. If the water level drops, there's a lot of splashing. It's easy to clean, can tear it right down, even the impellor comes apart (should a hair or something get wound in it). The 304 is a nice filter, easy to care for. (takes some getting used to priming it after shutting it down). Large prefilter area, three compartments. (mine has carbon, biomax and floss currently) Some people don't like the the new outlet on the fluval, but I've never seen the old outlet. I like the new one as when it's just an inch under the water level, it creates nice tubulance. The water flow is gentle, so the fish don't mind either. It's rated for 245gph I believe, but I would think that has to be on an empty canister, mine filled maybe does 150-180 if that.

Cheers