Habitat - Indoor :: My basic setup... Need ideas for filtering.

[MoreBloodWine]

Ok so its not a real pic lol because frankly I dont own anything yet, but to help illustrate my question(s) I put this quick drawing toegther. Also to be fair I put a crudely drawn turtle in the pic LOL.

Ok, so on to the questioning...

With a 6 foot tank one cannister filter placed in either corner or even the middle of the tank wont do the trick for such a monster tank. So what I did was come to the conclusion of using two cannister filters and place each intake 24" in from each coner leaving 24" of space between the two intakes to which I would add an 18" air stone. So what this boils down to is instead of spending $200 a piece on two FX5's for a grand total of $400 which is feasible just not wanted what other alternatives do I have for using two excellent filters to properly clean a 6 foot tank ?

[Fuzzy Hamster]

Can you clarify what you are actually looking for?
Are you asking for different models of filters as alternatives to FX5s?
Or are you asking for other 'types' of filtering for comparison?

Try not to overthink it too much, since you will likely make changes any ways after you start getting things actually set up in the tank....

Why do you feel that you need 2x FX5s? (not that more is bad, just wondering what your reasoning was)

You show the 'in-flow' but don't forget about the 'out-flow' from the filter. If you separate them enough (in from out) you will essentially have a water flow in the tank such that all the water will be filtered, and you will emulate a river flow environment for your turtle.

Keep in mind that your basking area placement may also determine how your filter tubing will have to be placed.

Planning is good...but as they say; "The best laid plans of mice and men..."

[MoreBloodWine]

Ive already got the outflow in mind to where it will almost whirlpool the water on return but not cause a disturbance to the water. Ideas on the return flow are also apprciated, modify pic as needed if you want to give a picture explination

Also I didnt say it had to be two FX5's just looking for alternatives to buying two because of the price tag that would be involved with two of them. Although an 1800+gph between two filters would be pretty friggin sweet LOL. As for the basking spot it would be an above tank on one of the ends and I could easily pop a hole in the corner / side of the basking platform for tubing of the one intake assumg the basking spot comes out more the 24" in length which is where the first filter intake would go (if that makes sense). Also the length of the tank is why I decided on two filters since one for a tank that long in no way could clean it like it would need to be. Plus two means better filtration and less frequent water changes.

Edit: One thing I just thought of is that the return flows would have to be positioned high enough from the bottom of the substrate so as not to disturb the sand to much (blow it around) that I'd be using, as for the depth of that I'd probably be going with about 2".

[Fuzzy Hamster]

I think an FX5 for $200 is about as cheap as it gets. Any comparable filters (Eheim Pro line?) tend to be way more expensive, and I am not aware of any other alternatives for filtering that much water....

Any body else out there have any better alternatives to the FX5?

[MoreBloodWine]

I think an FX5 for $200 is about as cheap as it gets. Any comparable filters (Eheim Pro line?) tend to be way more expensive, and I am not aware of any other alternatives for filtering that much water....

Any body else out there have any better alternatives to the FX5?

Well like I said $400 for two of em shipped I can live with I was just looking for possible alternaitves. For arguments sake lets say I do go with two FX5's placed as described, the only thing I would have to worry about is the placement of the return flows so it doesnt disturb the water to much creating alot of turbulance and disturbing the 2" of sand I'd have in the bottom of the tank. Also like I said 1800+ between two FX5's would be pretty sweet and DEFINATELY get the job done in the cleaning department LOL.

[Chrisbarnett]

I agree fuzz.

The only other beast filter is a Eheim proffessional 3, and is MUCH more expensive, and has a slower flow rate, but more media capacity.

For your buck, I would just get the fx5.

Also, why do you feel you will need 2 fx5's? I think one at 900 ish GPH would do a great job.

[LeslieMW]

ahaha i love the turtle!!!

[MoreBloodWine]

Also, why do you feel you will need 2 fx5's? I think one at 900 ish GPH would do a great job.

It's wasnt two FX5's specifically just two filters in general. But I already said why above, to fascilitate better cleaning since just one intake in either corner or even the middle of the tank wouldnt do the job as good as I'd like it to for a tank that big.

also, I wana make sure this isnt missed...

Well like I said $400 for two of em shipped I can live with I was just looking for possible alternaitves. For arguments sake lets say I do go with two FX5's placed as described, the only thing I would have to worry about is the placement of the return flows so it doesnt disturb the water to much creating alot of turbulance and disturbing the 2" of sand I'd have in the bottom of the tank. Also like I said 1800+ between two FX5's would be pretty sweet and DEFINATELY get the job done in the cleaning department LOL.

[Chrisbarnett]

Thats true, but I think if you made good use of the dual outputs on the FX5, you could very effectively filter your tank. Intake in far right bottom corner, outflow(s) in the far left and/or center, You could have one pushing waste across the tank into the intake, and one in the center to take care of any "dead spots" in the tank.

Not sure if you are familiar with these, but they could really effectively help filter your tank. Just hook up one outflow to the UGJ, and the other flowing out towards the intake. The UGJ would take care of dead spots, and you could customize how you want.
http://cichlidforum.com/articles/ug_jets.php

[MoreBloodWine]

I jut looked at that and the UGJ doesnt thrill me, what I was thinking is just using the sketched setup that I have and putting the return jets of the two filters into the corners of the tank and since they have dual heads I could angle them to stir things up up the botom but not to the point of disturbing the sand I want to add. This way the bottom should almost always be clean.

Also goin by your post I think you misunderstand how the dual output works on the FX5's it's not two return hoses but rather one hose with two heads.

[Chrisbarnett]

Yeah I don't care for the UGJ either, but thought it was worth a mention just incase.

I guess I do misunderstand the fx5 then, i thought it was two seperate outputs.

[Squishy]

If you can provide enough hiding areas for feeder fish, allowing some of them to live in the tank will help greatly with cleanup. I have a single FX5 in a six-foot tank, and you are right - it does not blow all of the heavier debris into the intake because the output flow is disturbed by scattered river rocks. If you can live with no substrate (not even a few rocks), then it will be fine. If you want substrate, I have had ~20-30 minnows in there for almost a week now and I have yet to see one complete piece of turtle poop. Either they eat it up, or try to eat it and break it into pieces small enough for the intake to pick up. The only "debris" I have left is a few stray grains of sand that the fishes chewed up and spit out from my planted area.

[steve]

Depending on how much water and how many turtles you have, I would look into one FX5 and a powerhead.

[untsmurf]

I have a six foot tank that is set up almost exactly the same way as your drawing. We added two round bubble stones, one at each end of the tank. But we have to rena xp3's and they work perfectly.

[MoreBloodWine]

Depending on how much water and how many turtles you have, I would look into one FX5 and a powerhead.

Well it would be a 72x24x30 filled to the top with an above tank baslking spot. I still kinda like the two filter idea though for the added benefits, the only thing i is finding the perfect placement for the return flow of each filter. Oh and as for substrate I'd be using atleast 2" of sand and yes I would have some hiding places for small fish like minnows or guppies or something. Also, as for how many turtles would be in he tank one for sure MAYBE two but most likely will end up bein just one.