300gal filtration - FX6, Eheim 2262, other?

[Chowda08]

Planning my new 300gal office tank and am trying to decide on filtration.

I currently run an FX6 and 2 AC110’s on my heavily stocked (50) African 125gal. Love the FX6 but am hearing great things about the Eheim 2262. Do not want to use a sump, personal preference.

So trying to get experienced feedback. The 300 will be tight against back wall and side cabinets so I will not be using HOBs. Tank will be drilled thru bottom for piping. I plan on heavily stocking the 300 and am thinking 3 canisters will be ideal. Seems the FX6 and 2262 have very similar specs as far as flowrate and capacity and am trying to decide between all 3 FX6’s or 1 FX6 and 2 new 2262’s.

Would really appreciate any feedback

Thanks!

[danotaylor]

Eheim gear their filters towards optimum contact time with the media for efficient biological filtration. Fluval have significantly higher flow rates and are better for mechanical, though they function well biologically also. If you plan on 3 canisters I would recommend 2 FX6's, 1 at each end, and an eheim in the middle.

[Regalblue]

I'd use sponges or AC110s,  but I cannot stand using canisters

[Brianyfishguy]

I run all eheim canisters and the 2262 is the best filter I own not so complex and space filled with plastic trays like the fluval just giant buckets filled with media

[Rob S]

I know you said you don't want to use a sump, but if the tank is already drilled and set up for it that seems like the easiest thing to do. Especially if it's up against a wall. I have a 300 and personally don't love sumps either (All the plumbing makes me nervous for leaks) but I can tell you that they are easy to maintain and with the right pump, will keep your tank crystal clear.

[gturmindright]

I would get the FX6s with sponge pre-filters and save yourself a million dollars by not buying the Eheims.

[Chowda08]

I know you said you don't want to use a sump, but if the tank is already drilled and set up for it that seems like the easiest thing to do. Especially if it's up against a wall. I have a 300 and personally don't love sumps either (All the plumbing makes me nervous for leaks) but I can tell you that they are easy to maintain and with the right pump, will keep your tank crystal clear.

I’m starting to re-think using a sump as I think I may need FOUR FX6s for the amount of fish I want to stock the 300. Maintenance with multiple canisters would suck and using a sump would allow me to load it with more than enough media. Trying to figure out what size I would need and what pump, thinking that a 75gal tank with a DCP15000 (3900gph)

Care to share a pic or two of your sump and specs?

[danotaylor]

I have a 3 stage sump on my 125 gal. Its about 25 gal, 1st stage is filter floss which I clean or change with every water change, 2nd stage is bioballs, 3 stage is return with a 900gph pump. I am a believer in increased contact time with the media to promote efficient biological filtration Soni don't use a crazy big return pump. It's super easy to maintenance. I have a 1/2 HP pump I use to vacuum the return section of fine detritus that makes it through the previous stages, I do this monthly. I also vacuum my tank diligently every 2 weeks.  I love the sump for ease of cleaning.

[Steve]

You don't need four FX6's for that. I have a 240g 6x2x30" that is jam packed with probably around 50 fish. Most are in the 4"-6" range but some are 10"-11". My filtration on that is two FX5's and one Eheim Pro3. I do WC's every 10 days on that tank but there's no problem going 18-20 days if I want, I just do 10 days just to stay on schedule with my other tanks. I actually just added the Eheim back in the spring just because I had it sitting around. So I ran just dual FX5's for the first 2 years on the tank with that bio load of fish just fine.

A sump is good if you decide to go that way, I've never had one myself but I do know they do a great job. But just letting you know that you for sure would not need four FX filters. Two would do the job and a 3rd would be good insurance but I would not say it would be a "must" for it.

[Rob S]

I run an 1800 gph pump on my 300 and it does the trick really well. I personally wouldn't go any higher than that, but that's just me. I've kept monster fish in there too.