Looking for filtration suggestions

[Will]

I will be setting up a 125 gal tank in the next few weeks, got a great
deal from a buddy of mine. But it is missing a filter. So, what kind of
filter would be the best? I've got a 3 Columbian Sharks, 4 Tinfoil
Barbs and several guppies that I plan on transferring into the new
tank. Thinking of getting a few Gouramis once the tank is ready,
perhaps other fish as well.
The 3 types of filters that have been suggested to me are:

Undergravel filter
Power filter
Canister filter
Pros /Cons /other suggestions?

Thanks!
Will

[Billy]

"Will" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>I will be setting up a 125 gal tank in the next few weeks, got a
>great
> deal from a buddy of mine. But it is missing a filter. So, what
> kind of
> filter would be the best? I've got a 3 Columbian Sharks, 4 Tinfoil
> Barbs and several guppies that I plan on transferring into the new
> tank. Thinking of getting a few Gouramis once the tank is ready,
> perhaps other fish as well.
> The 3 types of filters that have been suggested to me are:
>

Well, first, no matter what filter you put on there, the guppies, and
perhaps the Gourami are going to be snacks in short order. Tinfoils
in particular grow fast, (my quarter-sized tinfoils were 6" in a
year) and eat anything.
Power filters and canister filters are the most popular, I prefer
canisters simply because you can hide them under the stand. In a 125,
you're likley going to need 2, perhaps a pair of Emporer400
Bio-wheels? They're good units, and cheaper than most decent canister
filters. Easy to maintain, and you can use a wide variety of media.
Undergravel filters work, and work well, but the barbs may dig up
the gravel, disrupting consistant, even flow through the gravel. I
find the uplift tubes unsightly. You would need at least 3-4 large
powerheads for decent flow in a tank that size, IMO.

billy