Habitat - Indoor :: Filter/Tank...whats okay?

[Skittles]

So im looking into either getting a 90 gal. or 120 gal. tank. Everyone says the fluval fx5 is fine for the 120 gal but i had some more in depth questions. If i went with th 90 gal. tank is a fluval 405 ok (340gph)? And what about the Rena filstar xp4 (450gph) for the 120gal? No store around here carries the Fluval fx5. Also do you have to order all the media for the fx5 online because if they dont sell the actual filter in the store im guessing they dont have the media for that size but ive never owend a canister filter so im not sure about the media for them. I know the canisters hold a lot more. How often do you have to replace the media? Whats the cost around?

Any help with these questions would be great. It will help me decide on which tank to get and what filter. If anyone has or knows about the Fluval 405 or the Rena filstar xp4 please let me know what you think. The Fx5 looks like its harder to get (I dont like dealing with online purchases). Finaly, is the Fx5 overkill on those size tanks? 900 gph or whatever it was seems like a lot! Thanks guys.

[Skittles]

P.S. After talking to a few pet stores today i heard they arent making 100 gallon tanks anymore....? Any heard this? Sometimes i think they are just making things up when it comes to tanks....or turtle care.

[BullDog]

The 405 in a 90 gallon is really pushing it. I recently replaced my 404 in my 75 gallon with an FX5. I've got an FX5 in my 90 gallon as well.
For media, you don't have to buy Fluval brand media to put in the FX5, you can buy any brand. And the only thing you need to frequently replace is the carbon. I recently switched to loose carbon (and I bought media bags to put it in), since it works out cheaper. I replace my carbon every 2-3 months. All other media can last years, with proper care.

I personally love the FX5, and recommend it to anyone looking at "big" filters. Don't forget that the rated gph (900) is on an empty filter, no media. With media, of course the gph gets cut down, sometimes as much as half (depending on the media).

The XP4 would also be a suitable filter for a 120 gallon. I haven't heard that much about them, but I've heard good things about the XP3.

As for the tanks, it could be that a certain supplier isn't making 100 gallon tanks any more, but there are lots of different tank suppliers out there. I don't know for sure though. I've seen a few 100 gals around, but only used. It could be that it is just a custom size.