Filter advice

[scubaxena]

Hi folks!
I've started planning my aquarium upsizing and realized I know nothing about the new filters available these days. I'll be upsizing to as much as 180 gallons but no less than 135 gallons. The last new filter I purchased was an Eheim over 14 years ago and it's still working just fine. I also have a Magnum filter on my tank that I use for mechanical and chemical filtration. I've seen the new Fluval G series online and I'm very curious about it and other Fluval products. I would really appreciate any input the forum has, I want this aquarium to be set up right and I want to give my loaches the best I can.

Thanks in advance,

Linda

[Diana]

I do not like the Fluval product line. Some of their equipment is pretty good (Aquaclear filters, the internal Fluval 1) others are really bad (The canisters 204, 304, 404).

I started getting some Rena Filstar XP2 and XP3 filters, but am having problems with them, too.

I have a couple of Eheims. They keep on running, but a not very good at picking up debris.

For this large a tank I thing I would set up a remote sump if this is at all a possibility. A separate room for the pump, filter and other equipment.

[emi-chan]

how about fluval u3? is it any good??

[OneWay]

I went a little overboard and made a sump with trickle prefilters w/bioballs and a main grow chamber for biofiltration using plants/shrimp/snails/algae to remove wastes.

You can check it out in my thread below in my sig. Good luck

[bigpow]

scubaxena, I'm using Eheim Pro II 2028 for my 125G planted and I think it's adequate in terms of biological and mechanical filtration. As for water movement, I've several powerheads to help with that.

If 2x 2028 are not enough, then you could try out the Eheim top of the line filter: Eheim Pro 3 2180.

I received mine today and it's a beautiful thing.

Comparing Eheim Pro II series with Fluval, Fluval looks and feels cheap and flimsy. And yet, when I compare the Pro 3 with Pro II, it's as if Pro II is some cheap knock offs. Yes, Pro 3 is really that good.

[scubaxena]

Thank you for the replies!

Diana, I can't set up a remote sump in another room, but we are building the stand ourselves so we can make it quite large. Please excuse my lack of knowledge,.. why do you recommend a sump?

Thanks in advance,

Linda

[Diana]

Adds more gallons to the whole system, and much more room for adding media of your choice.

[chefkeith]

sumps are great. With a good main tank & sump design, the water height in the main tank will always be constant. Only the water volume in the sump will change. A water change can be as simple as removing water from the sump and then refilling it, with zero disruption to the main tank.

A sump doesn't even need to do any conventional filtering. My sump is a refugium for fry, shrimp, snails, and plankton. I'm getting some natural micron filtration by increasing the biodiversity and food web in the aquarium system.