I just recently got a second hand 120 gallon tank and I'm hoping someone can give me advice on filtration & heating.

I'm planning on moving Chopper, my bigger O, into the 120 and I plan on using his 2 emperor 400's, what would be a good additional filter to add, canister? I'm only familiar with the H.O.B. filters so I could really use some help with this.

For Heating would a 250 watt Marineland Visi-Therm Stealth Submersible heater be ok? I can also add the 200 watt that is currently in Choppers tank when I move him.

Eventually I might be adding my other O, but he's got alot of growing to do first.

So it will just be one 10 inch oscar in the tank for now.

Thanks,

-Az

You can't really go wrong with canister filters, the only thing better than a canister filter is a sump filter in my opinion. What sort of filter you get depends on what you can afford. The Rolls-Royce of canister filters is Eheim, they are truly superb filters which will give you years of trouble-free filtration. If you are working on a budget, you could try fluval. Never use them before, but I have not had many bad reports from people who have got them.

250 W should be adequate for your tank. I've got 300 W on my 125 gallon tank and my temperature is around 27°C and isn't turned all the way up

Thanks OFL!

One more question, I know H.O.B's are 10x filtration for the tank, if I add a canister filter how many GPH would you recommend?

Thanks,

-Az

Would recommend you use two heaters it's always good to have a backup in case one fails and the overall tank temp from one end to the other will be more uniform. Gph recommendation for a canister filter is 4x or 5x the tank.

Hi johnl,

After I get chopper switched to the 120 I'm going to add the 200 watt heater from his tank to the new one. The tank did come with a canister filter, I think its a marineland H.O.T ??? If that is what it is, and if it works, then I believe its rated for 250 gph...but like I said I don't have any experience with canisters, and no instructions for it....I haven't really paid to much attention to it yet but I'll give it the once over tonight and see if it runs.

Thanks!

Well when I got home tonight the big tank still wasn't heating up. Its only about half full so I don't think its to mch water for the heater. I filled a little 10 gallon tank I had sitting around and dropped the new thermometer in that with really cold water, :angry: looks like I got a dud

I also hung the cannister filter that came with the tank on the little 10 gallon and it is flowing water. Pretty sure its a marineland H.O.T. (hang on tank), no clue how good they are though.



So how does marineland rate for cannisters? I was looking at a magnum 350, also from marineland (sorry I tend to be brand loyal, my HOB's are all marinelands).

-Az

P.S. John I think ya jinxed my thermometer