Outstanding! thank you for your expert opinion. that was the best I've
received to date. I will rethink my setup before it goes live.

NetMax wrote:
"xbit" " " wrote in message ...

My current tank is 55g. I got it back in the early 90s. It's been a
great tank thats served me and my freshwater fish well over the years.

I recently purchased an upgrade for $550. it's a used 220gal tank (7'
long 2' thick). it came with a magnum 350 with the 2 bio wheels, 5
powerheads to keep the water moving, rocks, decorations, heaters,
stand and canopy. really, it has everything need to get it up and
running. But, I have a question or two concerning filtration.

I know the amount of filtration you need depends on the amount of fish
you plan on housing in the tank. but I would rather over filtrate than
under this is what I was thinking of doing, please let me know your
thoughts:


Filtration type & quantity is influenced by many factors. In your case,
you'll have a high carniverous fish-load. A tank of plant eaters
requires less from filtration systems than carnivores (as all Oscar
owners come to discover ;~).


Primary filtration:

2 magnum 350's w/ bio wheels. (this will give the tank a total of 4 bio
wheels)

Secondary filtration:

1 72"x18" Undergravel filter w/ 4 tubes and 4 powerheads.


I recommend that you put down a plastic screen to protect the UGF plates
from being exposed by the Oscar and Firemouth's excavations. Something
similar to Home Depot sku # A110-881.


Planed fish:

1) 1 large oscar
2) 1 large clown knife
3) 2 large tinfoil barbs
4) 2 large bala sharks
5) 1 large sucker mouth cat
6) 4 med clown loach
7) 1 med firemouth

Thank you for your thoughts on my planned setup and fish. BTW,
currently I own the Oscar, clown knife, sucker and firemouth.


I think that two Magnum 350s and a UGF will not come close to meeting the
filtration requirements for these fish. These characters put out a lot
of solid waste. Where will it go? To quickly clog the Magnum's pleated
paper filter cartridge or to clog your gravel. This is a high
maintenance setup. I would put some AC500s in, with intakes low (crap
catchers), raise the intakes of the Magnums and install wide screens for
them (to maximize their water polishing capability), and consider
installing sponges on the powerheads and running RUGF. Then carefully
arrange your water flow to come down the back, loop and across the bottom
front of the tank to carry all detritus to the waiting powerfilter
intakes (which you can quickly empty/rinse as required).

jmo, hth