Best form of filtration/flow for large tanks (4ft and above)

[illumnae]

What do you guys think?

[prec]

Filtration in terms of getting rid of dirt and detritus or having a sizable load of BB to handle the tank's ANN cycle?

If its the former, then i would say having something with larger flowrate (probably a pump with a sump)
If its the latter, then 2 x cannister + denitrator will be good.

My $0.02 worth.

[Aeon]

I'm using 2x medium canisters

[stephen chung]

I would custom make a canister like the one at bioplast...

[aRmOn]

Would low flow rate causes water to turning green too? Currently, I'm running a single 2028 but LFS claimed 2028 is suitable for 4ft tank.

[bossteck]

I would choose external sump for its less frequent maintenance requirements, as well as ease of maintenance (when necessary).

[Shiv]

I guess I am a lazy chap and also tend to have over filtration so I prefer to have a 2080 along with 2217.

[David Moses Heng]

currently i am using a 3 by 1.5 and 1.8 sump for my 422. Ease of maintenance is a bit messy but as compared to a canister, i would say it is much more easier. Also, i realise that with a sump, i can support more bioload as my area of filtration is large as compared to a canister. But the cost of setting up a sump may not be necessary cheaper. Market rate for a professionally set up sump is arounf $400 for media alone. I spend close to $150 for the media in my sump. Contents of my sump are
1st Chamber
1) Bio mat
2)Bio Foam(black)
3) Bio wool from Germany
4)Bio wool from Ocean Free(finer,- last round of mechanical filtration but by the time the water reach here, the water is more or less crystal clear already).
5) Ceramic ring

2nd Chamber: 2kilo worth of lava rock

3rd chamber: 150 bio ball

4th chamber: 1kilo of red bio home..

Maintenace is once every fortnight where i clean the wools and mats.

[illumnae]

currently i am using a 3 by 1.5 and 1.8 sump for my 422. Ease of maintenance is a bit messy but as compared to a canister, i would say it is much more easier. Also, i realise that with a sump, i can support more bioload as my area of filtration is large as compared to a canister. But the cost of setting up a sump may not be necessary cheaper. Market rate for a professionally set up sump is arounf $400 for media alone. I spend close to $150 for the media in my sump. Contents of my sump are
1st Chamber
1) Bio mat
2)Bio Foam(black)
3) Bio wool from Germany
4)Bio wool from Ocean Free(finer,- last round of mechanical filtration but by the time the water reach here, the water is more or less crystal clear already).
5) Ceramic ring

2nd Chamber: 2kilo worth of lava rock

3rd chamber: 150 bio ball

4th chamber: 1kilo of red bio home..

Maintenace is once every fortnight where i clean the wools and mats.

thanks for the detailed information Altum_Lover76. with a sump, how do you pump co2 into your tank, and what is outgassing like? most of the reviews i've read about sump filtration with planted tanks states co2 outgassing as a huge disadvantage.

[David Moses Heng]

thanks for the detailed information Altum_Lover76. with a sump, how do you pump co2 into your tank, and what is outgassing like? most of the reviews i've read about sump filtration with planted tanks states co2 outgassing as a huge disadvantage.

whatd do you mean out gassing? CO2? i inject the co2 into a diy rainbar. will post the pics later. So far, the plants are doing ok. if you have read in my 522 with sump journal in the aquascaping thread, you would have realised that my plants are doing so well that they are flowering and that the starts to bubbled 20 minutes after the lights come on. CO2 comes on 1 hour before co2.

[David Moses Heng]

here are the pics:

[bryan]

Running a sump filter is cheaper in the long run if you are not going to invest in a reputable brand of filter. I know of people changing canister filters every 2-3 years. Asthetics wise will need some work.

[David Moses Heng]

Running a sump filter is cheaper in the long run if you are not going to invest in a reputable brand of filter. I know of people changing canister filters every 2-3 years. Asthetics wise will need some work.

bro, its time for you to drop by again.

[StanChung]

I use 2 canisters[Eheim 2028 and 2217>5x2x2' tank] for ease of maintenance ironically because my cabinet is low and putting a sump underneath would be too cramped.
I don't like the return chamber of a sump tank. That to me is the one thing that has prevented me from making a sump tank. However I must admit a sump tank really does a good job a trapping the detritus with really clean polished water.

[tcy81]

for a 4x2x2 ft , wouldn't a ehiem 2028 be enough ?

[illumnae]

definitely not enough =) i'm running an eheim 2028 on my 4ft and it's struggling. i'm currently using a powerhead to create more flow, but i'm about to go buy a 2nd canister to help the eheim out

[StanChung]

4x1.5x1.5 or 3x2x2, a 2028 is just enough IMHO but a 4X2X2 would struggle if you load up with media.

[illumnae]

just curious Stan, what's wrong with the return chamber of a sump?

[StanChung]

Nothing, just ugly.

[valice]

Not to mention, take up space in the tank for hardscape.