Filtration for the 180

[gm72]

Many of you know that I am already planning a 180 gallon tank for christmas. Likely to be a pair of oscars in there and a common pleco. I know I will use the Fluval FX5 cannister filter, but the question: is one of them enough for such a tank? I understand that they are rated to filter around 600 gph, but I have a complete lack of experience with such a large tank.

Just looking for some opinions on this, thanks!

[Rue]

Didn't the Oscar guys answer that one? I'll go check...

I think they say you do better with two...but the 2nd can be a HOB...

[cocoa_pleco]

i think that canister goes to 400g, but add a HOB too

[Rue]

Okay...they didn't say...so I asked...let's see what the consensus is...

[nanaglen2001]

You only want to keep 2 Oscars and one Pleco in your 180 gal tank?

Then the Fluval is more than enough. Nice filter, I would have taken it for myself, but its way to large for my stand... grrrrrr

[Fishguy2727]

I have the Fluval FX5 on my 150 as the only filter. It does a great job, but I think it is the minimal flow for such a tank, with smaller cichlids. If I had bigger stuff in there (bigger and more poop) then I would want either more filtration or a good high flow powerhead to make sure everything gets to the FX5. The only HOB I would consider for such a large tank would be the Emperor 400. It has two big Biowheels which will boost the capacity of the biological filtration. I personally do not use or recommend carbon, and since the cartridges come with carbon, I would either rig up my own DIY cartridge that lacks carbon and has just mechanical, or skip them altogether.

[gm72]

Maybe the FX5 and an Aquaclear 110?

[cocoa_pleco]

Maybe the FX5 and an Aquaclear 110?
sounds good!

[Rue]

If I'm understanding this correctly...

...the one Fluval and an AC110 are ideal for now...

...but when the fish are fully grown, you may need to add another canister...

[Fishguy2727]

The best thing would be two FX5s. If you can afford them, but them, you will be happy you did. I think it is better to have way too much filtration than to flirt with that line of 'just enough'. I posted a thread about it, but I will repeat it here. When I had the mbunas in the 55, I had two Whisper 60s and a Fluval 404. After a water change when I had turned off the filters, the Fluval never kicked back on. I didn't even notice it for about 5 days. In most tanks that would mean a complete crash of the tank and all the fish dying. But since I was over-filtered I had no issues. Filters fail, it happens. The last thing you want is to have your fish die because of it.

[gm72]

Agreed, most of my tanks have about 3-4 times the "recommended" filtration levels and I believe the fish are happier because of it. Might end up with an FX5 and AC110 then add a tank, move the AC110 and replace with another FX5 as the fish grow.

Great advice, thanks all!