New tank, filtration suggestions appreciated

[DCrowno835]

Hi all. It's been a long time since I've been here. (I accidently spam blocked
the list). Anyway, my DH bought me a 150g for my birthday, and I have no idea
how to filter it. I've had some suggestions, and it's kind of 50-50 over
wet/dry systems and canisters. The tank will hold 6 fancies (orandas, moor,
ryukins, eggfish). The orandas are large, and one ryukin is about the size of
the palm of my hand. All of my tanks are crystal clear with large oxygen
levels, all have Penguins or AquaClears, so I'm not too familiar with the
canisters. I've looked at the Eheim 2028, and it's looking not too bad, but
what are the pros and cons of each? I already know that the filter media for
the penguins is costly, is a canister more cost efficient? Is it easy to
clean? I don't plan on any live plants (most of my tanks are planted now, and
that's a job in itself) so plant debris will not be an issue. I just want the
best for the babies. Also, someone recommended a UV sterilizer. Just what is
that, and why would it be necessary? If it adds to the cleanliness of the
tank, I'm all for it.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. This huge tank has me a little
nervous!

Deanna

[Ken Russell]

Hi Deanna,

UV sterilizers are used in ponds. I'm not sure how they would go in a tank.

Check it out here;
http://shop.petmarket.com/uvsterilizers.html

I use one in my 1,000L pond and it got rid of algae bloom in two days. It
keeps the water crystal clear. I don't use any chemicals, just plants and
the UV sterilizer and three pumps and filters. I have 15 goldfish, all
healthy and breeding and a nice collection of healthy plants including a
water lily.

So far so good, I'll let you know if it backfires.

--
Ken Russell

"DCrowno835" > wrote in message
...
| Hi all. It's been a long time since I've been here. (I accidently spam
blocked
| the list). Anyway, my DH bought me a 150g for my birthday, and I have no
idea
| how to filter it. I've had some suggestions, and it's kind of 50-50 over
| wet/dry systems and canisters. The tank will hold 6 fancies (orandas,
moor,
| ryukins, eggfish). The orandas are large, and one ryukin is about the
size of
| the palm of my hand. All of my tanks are crystal clear with large oxygen
| levels, all have Penguins or AquaClears, so I'm not too familiar with the
| canisters. I've looked at the Eheim 2028, and it's looking not too bad,
but
| what are the pros and cons of each? I already know that the filter media
for
| the penguins is costly, is a canister more cost efficient? Is it easy to
| clean? I don't plan on any live plants (most of my tanks are planted now,
and
| that's a job in itself) so plant debris will not be an issue. I just want
the
| best for the babies. Also, someone recommended a UV sterilizer. Just
what is
| that, and why would it be necessary? If it adds to the cleanliness of the
| tank, I'm all for it.
|
| Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. This huge tank has me a little
| nervous!
|
| Deanna


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[Vissy Dartae]

Wow, a 150-- lucky you!
and 6 large fancies sounds like a very nice load for it.
Many goldfish folks I know use two filters on their large tanks-- a
canister and a wet/dry. This arrangement has lots of advantages,
including fail-safety and flexibility of media placement.

(DCrowno835) wrote in message >...
> canisters. I've looked at the Eheim 2028, and it's looking not too bad, but
> what are the pros and cons of each?

Eheims have a great rep. I used a Fluval 204 canister on my 29 for a
while, and it worked really well but was hard to re-prime after
maintenance. No doubt the Eheim will do better for you.

Canisters will go toxic much more quickly in a power failure than a
wet-dry because of the lack of oxygen in the canister, so if power
failures are an issue in your area that might be worth considering.

> I already know that the filter media for
> the penguins is costly,

Well, you know what? It doesn't HAVE to be. You can pretty much put
whatever you want in that thing. Those cartridges can be dismantled
and the backing reused with whatever you care to strap on (I use
rubber bands and Rite-Size cut-to-fit stuff-- some folks use
poly-fill). The bio-wheels are almost immortal anyway and they
provide most of your bio-bugs. Gravel, ceramic, whatever can go in
the media baskets and only needs occasional rinsing. I really like my
Penguin and it's been very cost-effective.

> is a canister more cost efficient?

Not much different in my experience. You can be creative with media.

> Also, someone recommended a UV sterilizer. Just what is
> that, and why would it be necessary?

Not necessary generally. Very expensive. Kind of a luxury. It does
keep the water very sterile. I have HEARD that your fish Never Get
Sick when you have one.

Good luck!!
Have fun!!

[Donald Kerns]

DCrowno835 wrote:

> Anyway, my DH bought me a 150g for my birthday

Deanna, could you get your DH to talk to my DW? ;-)

Right now she won't even let me bring another itty, bitty 55 into the
house...

-D

P.S. A wet/dry would work great at that size.
--
"Faced with the choice between changing one's mind and proving
that there is no need to do so, almost everyone gets busy on the
proof." -Galbraith's Law

[DCrowno835]

>
>Deanna, could you get your DH to talk to my DW? ;-)
>

Hey Donald! Good to see you again! Well, DH really had no choice as I am THE DW
that bought him the new 2hp engines for his nitro R/C cars, with hooker headers
and chrome dual exhaust!!! (He's now disqualified for racing as his cars are
considered "super modified". He's thinking about renting a warehouse to build
an indoor flat track and an indoor dirt track. If he does this, I'm having the
closet ripped out of the foyer and putting in a 500g!

Thanks for the advice on the pump.

Deanna