What is the best type of filter for a 125 gallon aquarium?

Question

I'm setting up a 125 gallon freshwater aquarium. This is the biggest aquarium i'm ever had. It came with an under gravel filter but it seems alot of people don't like them anymore. I was looking at an eheim pro II canister filter, is that a good bet? what if i used BOTh an under gravel AND a canister filter? What about wet/dry filters and UV sterilizers?

Answer 1

Had the same questions you have right now, about 5 years ago. Undergravel filters are out dated. The canister filter is awesome, but make sure if you use just 1 filter that you have water circulation in all areas of the tank. Add an airstone or add a box filter too, so there are no "dead" areas of circulation. I have a 125 with about 12 discus and 50 tetras and a bunch of live plants. The Filter I use is the AquaClear 110. 2 of them evenly spaced to make sure circulation is equal in the tank. They cost about $60 each. Don't use the undergravel filter in conjunction with another type of filter, it will be easier to use the canister or box filter. A UV filter will make your tank almost completely immune to parasites. Get one if you can. They sell them as a suction cup filter/pump that hangs right inside your tank for about $100. Just put one in my 125, and what a difference! Good Luck!

Answer 2

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RE:
What is the best type of filter for a 125 gallon aquarium?
I'm setting up a 125 gallon freshwater aquarium. This is the biggest aquarium i'm ever had. It came with an under gravel filter but it seems alot of people don't like them anymore. I was looking at an eheim pro II canister filter, is that a good bet? what if i used BOTh an under gravel...

Answer 3

I have a Fluval 404, an aquaclear 500 and an Emperor 400 on mine and I love the results. Good water flow and aeration and ease or maintenance. Depends on what type of fish you are going to raise. I wouldn't worry about UV sterilizers unless you are going to have expensive marine fish. Undergravel and a cannister would work, but you will have more maintenance issues with the undergravel filter.

Answer 4

UV sterilizers are limited, they only clean the water that goes through them so there is always a chance for something nasty to reproduce before it gets into the sterilizer. I like filters with bio-wheel, and given the opportunity, I would put onea samll one at either end of the tank rather then one large one. That way you could change filter media at intervals and lose less beneficial bacteria. There would also be more current in the tank, doing a better job of cleaning the corners.
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Answer 5

Live sand and live rock should be your main filtration. 125 lbs rock and 80lbs sand minimum. Try to find a tank and stand on ebay/craigslist/newspaper/etc. to save $$$. The best filtration system could go into thousands of dollars. So I'll give you an example of my 125. 160lbs rock, 50lbs crushed coral/100lbs live sand. I run 3 powerheads 1 AC50, 1 Lifetouch 1500, and 1 Powersweep. I also run 1 Fluval 404 as another watermovement source, but the canister only has sponges and floss= no bio material. A skimmer is a must and I went with the Coralife 125, much better out there, but I got it for $80 and it works great. My setup is very low end on cost, but houses 2 Dwarf Zebra Lionfish, Yellow Tang, Black banded cat shark, and 2 Damsels left from cycling(1.5 years ago). You could go as high as $5000 on a 125 setup, but I'm poor so all my $$$ went to LR/LS. The rest is from my FW collection. BTW my setup is FOWLR( few easy corals).Shop around for everything you decide on and save alot. I own 11 tanks and my best deal was one of my 125g for $75 tank only. I scored another 125g tank/stand/tons of extras for $350. Have fun with it, I was edgy at first but with 5 years FW exp, it went very smooth. Best of luck.

Answer 6

I have a 110 gallon tank and its running on the Eheim Cannister Filter. I havn't had any problems with it and my fishies really love the spray bar at the top. If you want to use both filters then go ahead, but the cannister is all I need!

Answer 7

The Fluval FX5 is the way to go if you are wanting to go with a Canister Filter. Eheim is truly good equipment too, but check out this comparason between Fluval and Eheim...

http://www.discusforums.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7080&highlight=fx5

Answer 8

I use two Fluval 404's on my 125 and have been very happy with them.

Answer 9

fluval makes one that's what i have on my 135 get the big one though.with this filter you wont need under gravel. uv sterilizer is not needed on freshwater i dont think. dont overcrowd it you'll be good.