I built a large tank, 23" wide x 71" long x 23 1/2" tall, and am now ready to start raiseing goldies in it! I'm not sure what way to go when filtering this size tank and how much filtration to use. I'm also trying to keep costs down. Can you help with sujestions on filtering this monster?

I may be wrong about this... but my calculations indicate that this is a (gulp!) 163 gallon aquarium. I'm not sure how to filter that... but congrats on your huge tank!

(Someone more helpful'll come along, I promise.)

well for sure u need a external filter
a canister type
go to petsmart.com
and find sum there
it even shows how much it filters

I'm going to be getting a tank about this big hopefully (crosses fingers) next week. I asked this question to myself a while ago and the canisters here only go to about 1200L/hr (going higher you get bloody expensive! its easier to buy 2 smaller ones!). So i figured i would need nearly 4 of these canisters to acheive 10x filtration (holy moly!!).

I then thought about a couple of canisters and a couple (or 1 large) HOB filter. But because the tanks are so big they have massive supports on the edges, hence not allowing HOB's to fit on the back, so i had to scrap that idea...

THEN i remembered i had an internal filter in my big tub (my tank is too small for all my goldies atm so 3 are in a 30g tub..) so then i thought.. hrmm.. maybe i could still have the couple of canisters AND add a couple of internals. But i've always had an internal in my tank, they have a VERY strong current and if you get delicate fish (bubble eyes for example) you might run into trouble! However i have seen internals with spray bars, although i havent tried them out. Also you can strategically place ornaments near the filters to soften the flow.

So basically thats what i've come up with so far, and i'm still thinking about what to do... But i hope it helps

bigalsonline.com has the cheapest filters I've ever seen. I suggest looking around there.

Two Rena XP3 Canister filters would do well. I went for overkill on my aquarium but it is only 150 gallons. Went with a Eheim and Rena filter with unpowered bio wheels. Does keep the tank clean. Hope it helps.


RME

Well seeing as the tank holds approx 160gallons, then sticking to the 10x guideline you'll need 1600gallons/hr. Having 2 xp3's will not even give you 1/2 that, only having 700gallons/hr.

Yes svendenhowser your are correct. I was only speaking of my experiences. I have always been more concerned about water quality than turnover rate. I had my goldies in a 150 gallon tank for many years with the Rena XP3 set up. I dont over stock and the water was always crystal clear. I tested for Ammonia about once a month but after the original cycle period it never registered. Now my Goldies are in a 450 gallon set up and the turn over rate is about 5 times an hours. They share a home with 6 Koi (rescued) and water is crystal clear, although that aquarium has a wet dry filter. Happily the Koi are going outside into a 2600 gallon pond with a turnover rate of once an hour. I am not sure how my Goldies will do outside if I mix them with my Koi. Most Pond people dont advise although others have mixed for decades. My Goldies are 3 comets and 4 Shubunkins and one Wakin. Does anyone have any opinion of mixing them with the Koi outside.

Thanks,

RME

I guess you have to take into consideration the type of filter you have, i mean a canister will produce a far better quality output, than just a HOB filter.

But when working out how much filtration you need its kinda hard because you could have a heap of poor quality filters, or less of good quality, but have the same quality water. But then again some people wouldn't ever go less than 10x. Depends on lots of stuff i guess

I think i've confused myself, so dont be worried if everyone else is confused by this post hehe

whould one of those uv filters work too or not.

hrmm thats a question.. do they add to the filtration rate, like included in the 10x?

I have never used a UV on my aquarium but I am contemplating using one on my pond. I dont believe it will add anyting to the 'turnover' rate. In the pond setting it is supposed to help with the dreaded algae (some UV sterilizer are also supposed to help kill type of bugs to help in disease control, I dont know how successful that would be).


RME

Someone has just posted on how well it worked with algae. I think that'll be a purchase down the track though They seem pretty cool.

Alright,

You guys have fliped me out. How much filtration do I need? 10x turn over, or less? What filter is best? Do I nedd more turn over with a power filter vs say a canister or a wet/dry sump filter?

FF

haha yes i see how we could have easily confused you we kinda went off on a bit of a tangent there didn't we!!

I would say if your going to use canister/HOB's then i'd go 10x filtration:volume. I'm not up to speed with sumps, maybe someone else can help you out on that one

I guess no one has an answer to my flow rate ?I hope I'm wrong about that!

FF