125 Gallon Fish Taank - Need Help!

[tennis4you]

OK, I bought a used 125 gallon aquarium and I have questions.

For starters, he had some old school filtration system, it was enough for a small pond, something like 900 gallons per hour. Nice set up but I would like to go to a canister filtration system. I know very little about the canister filter but I know they can get pricey. I would like to stay on the low end of cost (wouldn't we all?). I saw there is a canister filter for relatively cheap, it was the Filstar XP3 Canister Filter. I do not want to buy a piece of junk that is not going to do my fish any good though. Anyone have any ideas on good (well priced) canister filters for a 125 fresh water tank?

Should I be getting an under gravel filter as well? I assume I will need it. And then a power head for air? I really have no clue. From what I am told that is what I need to keep things working nicely. So my neighbor told me. She has a pond in her backyard and had fish all her life.

Right now I am just looking to get my ghost knife out of the 55g and into a bigger tank.

My 55 gallon seems so much easier. A big fat whisper filter with 2 water falls/filters on it, an air stone and a couple of real plants. Those fish have been doing great for 18 months in there.

Thanks!

 

[Aphotic Phoenix]

Honestly if it still works I'd go with 900 gph filter, 'cause you're not going to get that kind of turn over with just one canister filter.

Why do you think you need an under gravel filter? They require much more maint. than a normal filter to avoid getting clogged and causing anaerobic pockets to form under the plate.

If you go with the canister filter, how you set up the outflow will kinda determine if you need a power head or not (granted I don't own a canister filter, just making assumptions based on how I've seen them set up, I own HoB filters). Surface agitation increases gas exchange which puts more oxygen in the water.

 

[*Fishkies*]

I have heard that the Filstar canister filters are great, as their price is nice and decent, and also they are very quite and easy to prime. I had looked into getting one once.

As for the Undergravel system, I would not bother with one of them as they often clog up easily. They are also known to be a pain, because dirt underneath the system sometimes never gets sucked up. So i would avoid that and mostly focuse on spending the extra money on the canister filters.

A powerhead is always great for tanks, as it does help improve aeration and it helps greatly with water movement in the tank, which is what you really want!!

to the forum! Feel free to ask questions there are many here to help!

 

[tennis4you]

Interesting. I am more than happy to not mess with under gravel filters. I can just rely on the canister to do all the filtering for me just fine?

Thanks!

 

[*Fishkies*]

Depending on what size canister filter you get you can depend only on that.

 

[tennis4you]

Depending on what size canister filter you get you can depend only on that.

Great! I will be sure to get one that is big enough for the tank, I will probably make sure it is big enough for closer to a 150-200g.

 

[Viettxboii]

are you gonnna keep the 55 gal running?
if no why not dump the 55 gal HOB over as well for that extra filtration.