Filter Help Please

[meandmykribs]

Hi,
I have my nice new 400ltr tank coming soon and was wondering if anyone could give an idea of what size/type of filter and lighting I should get?
 
Thanks in advance Karen.

 

[m00ms]

hello i would say on a tank of that size you got to looking at fluval fx5

 

[meandmykribs]

Thanks very much
 
Do you have any idea on what sort of light fitting I will need?

 

[m00ms]

for lighting i would say use T5 tubes and 4 or even 6 of them.
 
it all depends on tank size as although its 400lt there will be different depths of tanks and a deeper tank will need extra lighting.
 
also what fish and plants you are going to keep makes a difference.
 
a company called jbl sells T5 tubes,i once found a good guide by jbl that gave different tubes set ups for different tanks and as you are setting up it might help you.
 
if i can re find it i will post a link.

 

[meandmykribs]

Thanks so much m00m you have been a great help

 

[m00ms]

i had a quick look for that guide but couldnt find it,i will have better look later when i have little more time....and a cuppa......and pack of biccys!!
 
in the mean time another possible source is try arcadia as there another suppllier of T5 tubes.

 

[Shaddex]

If you dont fancy the FX5 Filter, you could always get the Aqua One Advanced 2450. (I have one and its flow rate and media capacity are very good)

 

[m00ms]

found the jbl guide.hopefuly i have attached a link.if i havent i found it by going on google and putting in "jbl t5 lighting guide"
 
it is the second one down titled "lighting for the aguaruim and terraruim" in pdf file to download and read.
 
https/www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CEYQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jbl.de%2Fen%2Fdownload%2F8880%2FRatgeber%2FCorrect_Lighting_with_JBL_SOLAR_en.pdf&ei=16H7UcWsBM3z0gWX-4GgDQ&usg=AFQjCNFMzzABgbceB_kiiqyM-_xAX4Z2-Q&sig2=fi_KLcrKNhpK8ZVVtZPpcA
that aqua one filter is not big enough as its flow rate of 1500 litre an hour only gives turn over of 3.75 times an hour on a 400lt tank.
 
the fluval fx5 gives approx 5.5 times an hour as has so much room for storing baceria in.

 

[fm1978]

Something a bit more affordable, if you're on a tight budget, might be this:
 
http/www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/aquarium-1/aquarium-filters/external-filters/aquarium-external-filter-2000-l-h.html
 
I've heard good things about their tank equipment...
 
As for lights; T5s are the ones to go for and you'll be looking for at least 100 Watts worth for a tank that size. More if it's fairly deep and you want to grow some nice live plants.
 
What are the actual dimensions of the tank?

 

[meandmykribs]

Thanks very much m00m, hope you enjoyed ya biccys
 
FM the dimensions are
 
28" high
47.5" width
20" width
 
The lighting will need to be a whole fixture as it has no hood?

Thanks for that link FM I may consider that one, as with 4 kids money don't go too far hahaha
 
Shaddex I do apologise that I missed you out there thanks very much for your suggestion

 

[fm1978]

If you don't plan on having a heavily planted tank, you might be able to get away with something like this...
 
http/www.allpondsolutions.co.uk/aquarium-1/aquarium-lighting/aquarium-t5-lighting/120cm-t5-fish-tank-lights-two-tubes.html
 
It's probably not perfect at that depth, but, the added reflectors should help a bit.
 
P.S. I don't work for APS, I was just in that site looking at stuff for myself already! 

 

[meandmykribs]

Haha course you don't
 
I like that one......
 
Not planning on having it heavily planted in fact more of a hard scape with just a few plants to soften it off I think
 
I'm not very good at keeping plants haha so will be looking for realistic looking fakes

 

[m00ms]

i was a good boy and didnt do the biccys..did do the cuppa thou.
 
i have given up with plants as they are harder to keep alive than fish which as most of them are classed as weeds seams strange.
 
if you find good fake "weeds" give me a shout please and good luck with your new tank

 

[meandmykribs]

I will do m00m and thanks very much

 

[fm1978]

There's some really easy plants you could try if you fancy it...
 
Most of the Anubias barteri variations are pretty easy to care for - low light requirements. Hygrophila polysperma, Taxiphyllum barbieri and Nyphoides aquatica are all pretty low maintenance as well.