Filtration Gph For 200g Brackish Tank?

[Dave Legacy]

Hi everyone,

I've been talking about setting up my 200G (84"x24"x24") Mangrove Swamp tank for what is almost years now, but have yet to actually do it. My archers are finally reaching around 4" in size and the smallest one is getting picked on. I'm thinking that they're in need of more room, so it's time to upgrade. I currently have a Magnum 350 Canister Filter in their 40G Paludarium tank. I'm figuring that it wont be enough for moving 100G of water (keep in mind my 200G will only be half full of water, as usual).

How much water are you guys turning over per hour to be satisfied. I obviously don't want to blow my archers around, but I don't want dead pockets either. For now I'm going to be putting aside my active tidal system plans and stick with something relatively simple. What do you guy recommend I use?

Best reguards,
Dave

 

[nmonks]

There's not much risk of archers being overwhelmed by current. They are river fish, and estuarine ones at that, so they're used to very strong currents. You also have to bear in mind that the turnover rates quoted on filters are nominal ones, not realistic ones. Simply adding filter media downgrades the turnover, and as the media clogs up, the turnover goes down even further. Site the filter under the aquarium instead of next to it, and the pump has to work against gravity ("head pressure") and the pump will be moving even less water. So a pump rated at 1000 l/h will likely only attain 50-75% that in a canister filter under the aquarium and with clogged media.

Even in my standard freshwater community tank I have a turnover of about 9x that of the volume. The tetras, catfish, pufferfish, etc. are fine.

What I think does matter is arrangement of the water flow. The bottom of the tank is often ignored, but since so many fish like to stay down there, it's worth adjusting some water current so it is directed along or towards the bottom of the tank.

Cheers, Neale