Opinions on filtration setup

[NDsuperduty]

On my 125 I am currently running a Pro Clear 125 wet/dry and a Penguin 350B.  Due to my giraffe cat throwing sand every where, I know the penguin impellar will have to be replaced again.  Instead of constantly changin impellars I have decided to use a canister, and at the same time upgrade the overall filtration amount on my tank.  I already own an Eheim 2213, so I am thinking of either upgrading my wet/dry to a 200 model with the 2213, or keeping my current wet/dry and getting a more powerful canister such as the Fluval Fx5 or one of the top of the line Eheim's.  what do yall think.

[PhishPhreek]

Re: Opinions on filtration setup

If sand is the problem you should examin the sand filters used in most water treating plants, old water trickles through a layer of sand leaving suspended solids trapped in the sand.  when the water level starts to rise in the filter sump, a couple of valves re-routes the water from the source (hose) backwards through the sand washing out the debree and then to the drain to get rid of gunk.   When the sand is clean, return the valves to the normal position and treat the 20% water change that you dumped during the backwash.

A diatom filter will also work but you have to add more diatom powder when you finish backwashing.

You may have better luck with your bio-filter is you add another layer of foam or reduce the flow rate so that the sand can sink.

[NDsuperduty]

Re: Opinions on filtration setup

What your describing sounds like the Pro Clear wet/dry I have.  Mine is like this.  The parts you see on the right are the over flow(its upside down in the pic).

[PhishPhreek]

Re: Opinions on filtration setup

If you are geting sand in your impeller with that unit you must have some very fine sand.

Change the foam on the inlet, if that doesn't work  you may want to add a pre-sump between the tank and your filter.
Just a rubber maid tub with an inlet on one end and an outlet on the other end (maybe a few baffels) the whole purpose would be to let the sand drop to the bottom before it gets to the filter.

[Cesar]

Re: Opinions on filtration setup

Is the sand all over the tank (top,middle and bottom of the water column)? If its only on the bottom,you could change the depth of the intakes so they wont suck in all the sand being stirred by your giraffe.

[NDsuperduty]

Re: Opinions on filtration setup

If you are geting sand in your impeller with that unit you must have some very fine sand.

Change the foam on the inlet, if that doesn't work  you may want to add a pre-sump between the tank and your filter.
Just a rubber maid tub with an inlet on one end and an outlet on the other end (maybe a few baffels) the whole purpose would be to let the sand drop to the bottom before it gets to the filter.

Im sorry, I need to clarify.  The sand is showing up in my other filter, the Penguin HOB filter.  There is not sand getting into my wet/dry.

[NDsuperduty]

Re: Opinions on filtration setup

Is the sand all over the tank (top,middle and bottom of the water column)? If its only on the bottom,you could change the depth of the intakes so they wont suck in all the sand being stirred by your giraffe.

The intake on the penguin is as high as it can go, but the giraffe cat is literally tossing sand all over the tank.  Since I know I will have to replace the impellar soon, this is why I am trying to figure out which upgrade would be better.

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Opinions on filtration setup

With the cat in there you cannot avoid it.....

I would upgrade to the pro-clear 200 or even 300 and add a 2217 or one of the Eheim pro models. I have the Pro-clear 400 on my 125g and love it!

[NDsuperduty]

Re: Opinions on filtration setup

Since the wet/dry's are a little more pricey, I will probably start by getting an upgraded Eheim.  But who knows, maybe someone will have a killer deal for a wet/dry on ebay.

[geoff_tropheus]

Re: Opinions on filtration setup

I would advise to not use the FX5 the pump is on the bottom of the canister, which when all your solids/sand settle in the bottom, they could end up in your pump.

If you get a canister the Rena XP series, and your Eheim Classics, and I think the Professional series also as well, all have the pumps on top of the canister.  So these would all be good choices.

I think ultimately you would be most happy with a larger wet/dry, but use the 2213 and see if it works out for you.

[NDsuperduty]

Re: Opinions on filtration setup

i think i am going to get the Pro Clear 200 with a Mag 12 pump, then swap out the Penguin350 for a canister.

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Opinions on filtration setup

The Mag12 will be too much for the Pro-clear200.....go with what the overflow is rated for.


I have the Pro-clear 400 with the Mag12 and I had to split it into two returns and use a ball valve to limit it a little.

[NDsuperduty]

Re: Opinions on filtration setup

EK, do you think the PC200 will be good if I am planning to do the frontosa's in this tank plus the giraffe cat.

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Opinions on filtration setup

Should be good if you plan on keeping that HOB on there and possibly throwing that 2213 on there as well...

I have an old Amiracle wet/dry on my 135g Moba tank and it's somewhat comparable to the PC200 but I also have other filtration on the tank.....Rena xp3, Magnum 350(soon to be replaced with 2217) and 2x Nano Powerheads. All that is for 12 Cyphotilapia Moba's. The flow in there keeps the poop from settling on the sand perfectly but I would think that you could get away with a bit less.

[ddaquaria]

Re: Opinions on filtration setup

I drive Mag 12s on all my Proclear 200s.  The total height is somewhere between 4 and 5 feet.  These are oceanic 2 ft tall tanks with oak stands - I can measure later.  It does a pretty good job.  I didn't like the 9.5s on there as much.

If this is a 6 ft - 125, I would do a Proclear 300.  I ran one of these for a while also with a mag 12 on the same tanks as above.  I would have left it on, but it takes a lot of the room from the secondary filter.  You don't have that issue with a 6 foot tank.