Comments and advice needed on filtration plans

[stillwit]

I just want to say first of all that I am really impressed with the wealth of quality information presented on American Aquarium and related blogs.

I am setting up a 600 liter tank that will most likely end up heavily stocked. While I normally do 25% water changes every week, we will occasionally be away for up to a month when water changes will not be possible. So, I think I need very good filtration. The tank will be heavily planted. I have set on hard plumbed pressurized pond filtration located under the tank. The tank must sit right against the wall due to space, and I want the filtration out of sight. I'm not happy with canister filters due to priming difficulty, leaking, and what I see as a poor cost capacity ratio. I also wish to avoid the added weight of the internal pumps because I am located in Saudi Arabia and shipping is expensive. I plan to use external in-line pumps that I can purchase locally for a reasonable price. So, I expect that pressurized pond filters are considerably lighter than canister filters. So, the Clear Stream 1200 seemed like the ideal filter for the job. However, it is now out of stock until next year. If I were to go with the Clear Stream 600 I think I would need 2 filters. I am going to install two RESUN SP-6600 pumps side-by-side with check valves so if one quits the other will keep the water flowing. From my own tests I think this will give a real world flow rate of about 1200 L/H with both pumps running. The box gives a rating of over 2000 L/H but this could only be with no hoses or filter attached, but I have found this kind of inflated rating to be expected. I will have a 13 Watt UV on one of the pumps. I should also mention I plan to install the pumps after the filter so they are pulling rather pushing to help avoid filter leaks and to split the tubing only once after the filter for both the two pumps and the UV. Of course, if I were to run two Clear Stream 600 filters in parallel the line would be split before the filters anyway.

I am also very interested in running a diatom filter in-line after the pressurized pond filter. I am wondering if the Clear Stream filter could be used as a diatom filter by simply charging it with diatom powder. If not, please post your suggestion for a diatom filter that could handle this type of installation, i.e., a diatom filter that does not have an internal pump.

I'll explain further why I want a super filtration system. I had planned to get the Aquarium Cleaning Machine, but then I figured out how large and heavy it is, and started to think that if I spent half the money on better installed filtration I could use the installed filtration to vacuum the tank. I'll need only attach a hose and vacuum bell to the filter intake inside the tank, and then clean the filter(s) when I am done.

I hope to receive some helpful comments and advice about these ideas. I probably should have posted here sooner. Have been consuming all the information I could find on the related pages over a period of several weeks.

[Carl]

I just want to say first of all that I am really impressed with the wealth of quality information presented on American Aquarium and related blogs.

Thanks for your compliments

I really cannot think too much off hand, as it seems you already know what you want/need!

Here is what comes to mind for now;
I cannot argue too much about the priming issue with many and most canister filters (although poorly seated O rings can cause leaks on pressurized pond filters as well)

I would add that the biggest difference between the Clear Stream 600 & 1200 is the flow rate design (for higher flow rates in the #1200), not the capacity. So since these are intended for ponds, the difference otherwise is not that great especially when you consider this is being used for an aquarium that is much smaller than the indended pond (I have sold and used more of the #600 pond filters for aquariums, in part due to a slightly lower profile that fits under many cabinets/stands)

The Clear Stream cannot run a diatom (at least in in way I can figure out). The Magnum Canister Filter can be run this way, but then you are back to a canister filter with its own motor unit.

The Cleaning Machine is the most simple way of performing water polishing and thorough cleaning that I have used in years, however it is large and can be expensive to get to your location, (but then so many heavy canister filters as well).

Speaking of canister filters, have you looked the Filstar? This is a very nice canister filter at ANY price, in fact I sell these at below wholesale (I make a little $ profit, 15% by driving to LA, spending $1000 and pre-ordering to get a this below wholesale price), because I feel so strongly in these filters!

Carl

[babygeige]

Welcome to the site!

It sounds like you have everything very well thought out. I'm not too familiar with in-line filters. I'm sure Carl or Bill will come along and have some input for you. Having a filter like that plus lots of live plants should certainly help you when you're out of town.

Have you decided what kind of fish you are going to stock the tank with?

[bikeguy33]

as for being away amonth at a time.....if the tank isnt too overstocked ya should be okay with a large water change of 40-50% just before leaving. there are auto feeders that will supply 1 month of food for anywhere from 50-100$ that are very reliable. also, timers are a must for the lights. and lastly....if you could have a friend come over once a week or so to look for dead fish or other organic waste that could harm your levels. I have little to add to what Carl said other than to agree. in maintenance, we used alot of pool filters as well for our larger tanks that worked very effectively and many will fit into a modest cabinet. we found being made for a pool or hot tub instead of aquatics really knocked down the price.

[stillwit]

Hey, thanks for all the prompt replies. I think my questions have been answered. I didn't look too closely at the Filstar before, as I thought it was rather expensive. But, now that I have, I think it will probably be worth it, although I will need two XP4 to get the real world flow rate I am looking for.

I guess I will not really need a diatom filter with these, but the Magnum 350 does seem like a very good choice for water polishing, with or without the diatom powder.

As for the fish, that's another topic all it's own. Now I have Kirbs, Rosy Barbs, and Sailfin Mollies multiplying like they are bent on overpopulating any space they are put into! But, I think I'll keep it a community tank with mostly small colorful species.

[babygeige]

I'm a little late in this, but I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents on the filters. I have both a Filstar and a Magnum 350. I have an XP1 on a 30 gallon tank and I absolutely love it. The design makes it really easy to take down and clean. It's easy to change the filter medium around.

The Magnum is a filter I got for free with a 50 gallon corner tank. It was free, so I use it, but I honestly can't wait for it to break down or something so I can get an XP2 filstar instead. The valves are a pain to undo and redo when it's time to clean the filter. It's kind of noisy, and I don't think it's as versatile as a filter with that kind of price tag should be. But I do seem to be an exception, because they are popular filters.

[Carl]

But I do seem to be an exception, because they are popular filters.

I do not think you are as much an exception as you think.

While I DO like the ability to switch between micron filter and standard canister filtration (which few other filters offer such a feature but for the maybe the VERY pricey Ocean Clear), I otherwise find this a rather limited filter with about the lowest bio and standard filtration capacity of any canister filter of equal flow rates.
I will also add that although I have not had the time to look at Marineland's newest canister filter, my colleague (Gregg) who runs the aquarium maintenance business I used to won has purchased several of these and he recently told me is quite under whelmed. Between my experiences with Marineland's products and some of the new ones tested by Gregg (including the Double Bright LED) I do not find Marineland aquarium products a line I would recommend much

Carl