New Display Tank - Best way to filter?

[LanaK]

A friend was getting rid of a ~100 gallon tank and gave it to me.  It is 60.5 x 16.5 x 26 (we think custom built back in the day). What I am trying to figure out is the best way to filter it.  It will be a display tank, gravel on the bottom (most likely) and heavily planted with African Cichlids.  I am thinking canister would be the best way to keep it looking great, but I have no experience with them.

Can anyone make recommendations?  I have read through some prior posts that had recommended  http://www.amazon.com/Aquatop-CF400UV-4-Stage-Canister-Filter/dp/B004GJ43EK or http://www.marineland.com/Products/aquarium-filters-and-protein-skimmers/magnum-350-canister-filters-canister-aquarium-filter.aspx.

Also, I have never had to heat such a large tank.  Are there things I should look out for in heating something so large?

Thanks!

Lana

[linuxrulesusa]

You could do canister, but some brands are a pain to clean, and you definitely want something that will be self-priming or easy manual prime for a tank this size.  I have used a non-priming 40g canister before and it was somewhat of a pain. 

Another option would be 2 or 3 AC110s.  That would be much easier in terms of maintenance but wouldn't look as clean because of the intake tubes that would be hard to hide.

For heating, a single 200W (later upgraded to 250W) Aqueon Pro kept my 90g heated just fine with a good glass lid to keep the heat in.  So at most you'd need two 150-250W heaters (to have a backup in case one fails...if you're concerned about it overheating maybe go 2x smaller heaters so less chance of one sticking on and frying the fish). 

A rule of thumb I've used is 3-4W/gallon; this ratio seems good because then the heater isn't running all the time nor is it too much overkill.  But then I've also used a 200W heater in a 15 long, admittedly at a higher risk of toasting fish if it sticks on.  Finally you have to consider your ambient temperature.  If your room will be 60F, you'll need a beefier heater or pair of heaters than if you keep your house at 70F and want to get to 78-80F.

[four_by_ken]

I really like canister filters... but as mentioned above, pay the extra and get a good one.  You want it to be easy to clean,  Also, you dont want leaks to form over time. 

On my 85 gallon show tank, I went with a canister and an AquaClear110.  I really like the setup.

I always like to use two heaters to heat a tank.  Helps with malfunctions... I am paranoid about cooking my fish with a failure. 

Be careful with using plants... many cichlids will tear apart a planted tank.

[Regalblue]

I use two hydro Vs to filter my 60x18x22 tank. But I don't mind looking at sponges & Did have them behind some driftwood,  until my male Jag decided to rearrange the tank.

[bernokarl]

I would slap 2 emperor 400's on it along with 2aquean 200 wat glass heaters , the best deal on the filters is at petco they are on sale often and usually have rebates on the filter box , The heater are cheepest at pet suply pluse get the glass heaters they are cost affective . you shuld be able to pic filters and heaters up for around $160. crigslist is always a good to check first

[20prima10]

alot of you are mentioning that your worried about heater malfunctions. i bought a heater controller so that i know what temp my tank is at. it lets you plug in multiple heaters to it and you never have to worry about one staying on. if the heater goes back the device still turns it off because it shuts the power off on them when the waters at the correct temp. i got it for 80-90 on ebay and love it

[Marty]

It might be overkill, but I really like my Fluval fx5.  You can usually find them on Craigslist for $150 or less.

I would go with a couple of Ebo Jäger 250 watt heaters.  They have a low failure rate and Wet Thumb sells them.

[Saulosi77]

I've had good luck on a lot of stuff from pet solutions online.  Emperor 400's are 38 bucks with a ten doller rebate.  Shipping usually only takes 1 day for free shipping. I am a very big fan of the ac110's.  not sure if it's still going on but they offered free filters and media for a year with purchase of a new aqua clear when I got mine.

[Super Turtleman]

I'd also suggest AC110s...they're great filters. A couple of 150W heaters should be good enough IMO.

[LanaK]

Thanks for all of the advice (and I love to hear more if anyone has anything else to chip in). 

Basically I am jealous by how clean everyone's display tanks tend to be so that is the goal for mine.  Sounds like a combo of a HOB and canister will be the best option with two heaters, especially since it is in my basement not in the fish room.

Not so worried about the plants, all of my Cichlid tanks are planted currently, so I will just be moving things around I already have.

I am a bit worried about algae since it is starting to become an issue with my better lighting.  Will the canister filters help with that, or is only those with UV lighting?

[linuxrulesusa]

Thanks for all of the advice (and I love to hear more if anyone has anything else to chip in). 

Basically I am jealous by how clean everyone's display tanks tend to be so that is the goal for mine.  Sounds like a combo of a HOB and canister will be the best option with two heaters, especially since it is in my basement not in the fish room.

Not so worried about the plants, all of my Cichlid tanks are planted currently, so I will just be moving things around I already have.

I am a bit worried about algae since it is starting to become an issue with my better lighting.  Will the canister filters help with that, or is only those with UV lighting?

IMO you need to look into CO2 injection if your light is too high because that's what's contributing to the algae situation.  E.g. when I ran a 2 bulb T8 fixture on my 33 cube I was getting tons of algae so I took a bulb out and then it seemed the right amount of light for plants to grow but not algae to overtake things.

[LanaK]

Yeah, I have just started to look into CO2 to help, might just start with some additives that do something similar.  Probably need to start a different thread for THAT conversation...

[spas]

Agree - one FX5\FX6 is plenty of filtration tank that size.  I have 2 on my 270 gallon and the water is crystal clear as well and water parameters are great.

In terms of heating - one 250 is probably overkill - I have a one Ebo 250 in my 270 at the water is a constant 77 and it is hardly ever on.  I actually remove it from the tank from March to Dec.  Unless you are keeping your tank in the garage or a cold basement a 100 watt is probably enough.

Steve

It might be overkill, but I really like my Fluval fx5.  You can usually find them on Craigslist for $150 or less.

I would go with a couple of Ebo Jäger 250 watt heaters.  They have a low failure rate and Wet Thumb sells them.

[Marty]

The philosophy I have with heaters is to have two that aren't strong enough to fry the tank if one is stuck in the "on" position, yet strong enough to keep the tank at an acceptable temp if one fails.

[four_by_ken]

The philosophy I have with heaters is to have two that aren't strong enough to fry the tank if one is stuck in the "on" position, yet strong enough to keep the tank at an acceptable temp if one fails.

I agree 100 percent