New To Forum, Need Tank Advice

[trig854]

My name is Greg and I'm new to the forum. I'm setting up a 75 gallon freshwater tank. I'm want it to be planted and to house various tetra's. I used to have several tanks when I was younger including a 300 gallon Discus tank and a 750 gallon reef with 150 gallon fuge. I'm sure a lot has changed in the 10 years I have been out, so I wanted input on what to buy. I used to run a wet dry on my Discus tank, but I had a problem with Neon's getting sucked into the over flow. I've never tried a canister filter, but have been told by the lfs that it's the best route to go. I did some research, but there are so many it's hard to chose from. Is a wet dry still the best filtration option, or has the canisters caught up with them? The tank I picked up also didn't have a light so I need to figure out what to get, I was thinking about led's but I'm not sure where to start. I want to try to keep things simple and easy. Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You
Greg

 

[MBOU]

Welcome to the forums and welcome back to fishkeeping!

Wet/Dry filters are still around,few tanks incorporate them these days, canisters are much more reliable these days but generally... the lower the price of a canister... the lower the build quality...

The other thing to really note is that when a canister says its for "up to 300L", assume it will cope with a 200L stocked tank. Most filters quote a turnover from when the filters were tested withno media in them and assuming the tank wont be all that well stocked.

So for 350L or so, I would personally go for a canister rated for a 600L tank, although you might find the kit that comes with it isnt too kind on small tetras and it would probably still be cheaper to run two canisters (excellant idea in case one fails or has a problem!) and run something like two filters aimed at 300L.

Lots of people on this forum are fans of the TetraTec and Fluval filters, personally I prefer the AquaManta filters. A lot of people also really like the budget APS (all pond solutions) filters but after seeing one in the flesh (so to speak) I can see why they are considerably cheaper, all the parts are a lot more flimsy, thinner and cheaper materials used.

It would be worth you seperating out eachof your questions and posting them each in the relevant section so you can get better answers. The filter and lighting question would be best in the hardware section

Lighting will depend on te type of tank and what you want lighting for... you could get either T8 or T5 light ballasts and tubes or go for LEDs. I'm not very up on LEDs, ps3steveo is who you want to speak to or at least... he makes LED light units for people.

TMC AquaRays or GrowBeams or whatever they are called are good, pricey but good Arcadia and AquaOne both do LEDs as well.

 

[trig854]

Thanks, I was looking at the Fluval g3 but wasn't sure if it was just high priced because it looked cool or if it was actually a top filter. In the past when I firsh started I went cheap and paid the price, this time around I would rather just do it right

 

[MBOU]

On that thought.. you managed to find the real flaw... the Fluval G series were a complete flop! I wouldnt waste your money tbh, you can find a much better filter for your money! They never had a very sturdy build and Fluval are well known for having an average priced average quality products.... the G series turned out to be and over priced average quality product at best... few shops sell it or the media for it (Hagen/fluval limited who could stock it!) and so getting media would be a pain and the more fancy and complicated a filter is... the problems there are likely to be!

 

[trig854]

Thanks, is there any canister filter that stands out above the others? I've been told Rena, and Eheim but with so many models I'm left scratching my head

 

[MBOU]

It will depend on peoples opinions completely!

In *my* opinion, I like the AquaManta filters...

Purely on the basis of:

-I love TetraTec filters and these filters are designed by guy who designed Tetratec. Aqua One filters were solid too and the are made by AquaOne.. sold under the AquaManta name..

-Fancy gadgets do a filter no good. I had eheims and thought them good quality materials.. but the newer ones were too gadgety and media less easy to get hold of... older ones did great for the tank but were a nightmare to work with!

-Square filters are better than the narrow Fluval filters, the trays have far more room for more biomedia which essentially... runs the tank! You have more room to put whatever media in them that you like

But like I said, all my opinion... but I would go for AquaManta or TetraTec.

EDIT:

Models.. that would help!

AquaManta 400

or..

Aqua Manta 300 (or 400)x 2 (best option!)

-----

TetraTec EX1200

or...

TetraTec EX700 x 2

 

[dbanner]

I agree with MBOU

I have a 100 gal (120 US) running 2 tetratec ex1200's and I can't fault them at all. They are my favourite filters so far and iv had a few including a fluval fx5 (very powerful but looks like a giant dustbin), a fluval 405 and 406 (ok but known for leaking which mine both did several times), fluval 306 and a 205, i even had an APS EF2000+. I bought the APS as I was just starting out and was drawn in by the low price and the 2000LPH performance stated on the box.. After owning better filters like the fluval and tetratecs I soon realised how bad the APS was. Good for tanks of up to around 180 litres but that's it.

As I said my tank is 100 UK gal (151cm x 51cm x 66cm - 450 litre) and I did have only 1 tetratec ex1200 on it whilst I was waiting for my 2nd and it coped very well by itself. The APS would have no chance, it just about coped in my 46 gal.

Go for tetratec or aquamanta, you won't be disappointed

 

[trig854]

Thanks a lot guys, I appreciate the replies. I'll check them out.

 

[trig854]

I did some searching, but it doesn't look like I can get those in the United States, any other suggestions?

 

[dbanner]

I did some searching, but it doesn't look like I can get those in the United States, any other suggestions?

There is a filter you should be able to get hold of called "marineland c series".. They are the US version of the tetratecs. They look exactly the same

 

[trig854]

There is a filter you should be able to get hold of called "marineland c series".. They are the US version of the tetratecs. They look exactly the same

Thank You, Would you recommend 2-700's than or just a single 1200. also does aquamanta have a U.S. version? I really appreciate all the help tanks for having patience with me
Greg

 

[trig854]

It won't let me edit my post, so basically my options are for my 284
c220 rated for 208 liters with 832 liters per hour
c360 rated for 378 liters with 1362 liters per hour
c530 rated for 567 liters with 2006 liters per hour.

 

[MBOU]

Sorry, didnt realise you were in the States, AquaManta is purely in the UK im afraid but they are very similar to the TetraTecs

From your list, I would go for either:

2 x c360

or

1 x c530 + 1 x c360 (or possibly c220)

 

[dbanner]

Sorry, didnt realise you were in the States, AquaManta is purely in the UK im afraid but they are very similar to the TetraTecs

From your list, I would go for either:

2 x c360

or

1 x c530 + 1 x c360 (or possibly c220)

This is what I would of suggested. If it was my tank I would do 2 x c360's.. Just because I like my filters to match

 

[trig854]

Thanks, I'm going to probably go with 2 x c360 as long as you guys don't think it will be to much current. I guess my next question is what do you guys like for lighting and heaters? I used to use jagers, still the same?