Best filter for a 125 gallon (long) tank?

[Fresh2Salt95]

I have a 125 gallon standard long tank which has been set up since November.

I'm currently using two Seachem Tidal 110 filters.

I'm coming into some money soon and am planning a complete overhaul of the tank with a Maxspect XF350 Gyre pump, a 72 inch Current USA led light, an IceCap K3 200HOB/250HOB protein skimmer, and either a Vecton 600/850 Titan or IceCap High Output UV Sterilizer (27 or 40 Watt).

But I'm stumped on what filter to get.

I had a Fluval FX-6 on my 75g, but it's very old and clunky, hard to clean.

I've been looking at AquaEl 2000 and Oase Biomaster filters, but if you guys have better suggestions, please let me know!

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have a 125 gallon standard long tank which has been set up since November.

I'm currently using two Seachem Tidal 110 filters.

I'm coming into some money soon and am planning a complete overhaul of the tank with a Maxspect XF350 Gyre pump, a 72 inch Current USA led light, an IceCap K3 200HOB/250HOB protein skimmer, and either a Vecton 600/850 Titan or IceCap High Output UV Sterilizer (27 or 40 Watt).

But I'm stumped on what filter to get.

I had a Fluval FX-6 on my 75g, but it's very old and clunky, hard to clean.

I've been looking at AquaEl 2000 and Oase Biomaster filters, but if you guys have better suggestions, please let me know!

Does this have overflow or sump?
If not, hang on back refugium and hang on skimmer

 

[Fresh2Salt95]

Does this have overflow or sump?
If not, hang on back refugium and hang on skimmer

The protein skimmer will be a hang on back. I don't have a sump because I'm intimidated by the thought of setting one up and doing the maintenance on it.

I also do not have an overflow.

What are the benefits of a refugium, and how big are they? I'm fairly new to saltwater, I set up my first tank last June. But I've had freshwater my whole life.

 

[vetteguy53081]

The protein skimmer will be a hang on back. I don't have a sump because I'm intimidated by the thought of setting one up and doing the maintenance on it.

I also do not have an overflow.

What are the benefits of a refugium, and how big are they? I'm fairly new to saltwater, I set up my first tank last June. But I've had freshwater my whole life.

Sump makes life easy and requires little to no maintenance
It’s the hang on units that require maintenance

 

[Pntbll687]

Skip the current usa light if you're planning on having coral. It's weak and won't grow anything.

You don't need anything special for a refugium, you can even get small submersible led lights and turn the Tidal filters into refugiums if you wanted.

Biomaster canister filters are nice, but you'll need to clean them fairly often.

 

[Fresh2Salt95]

Skip the current usa light if you're planning on having coral. It's weak and won't grow anything.

You don't need anything special for a refugium, you can even get small submersible led lights and turn the Tidal filters into refugiums if you wanted.

Biomaster canister filters are nice, but you'll need to clean them fairly often.

Oh I just plan on having fish and inverts and possibly some macroalgae down the road.

I'll look into refugiums.

Have you heard anything about the AquaEl filters?

I checked out the Oase Biomaster 850, but I think it's too big for my cabinet (will touch the roof).

 

[Pntbll687]

Oh I just plan on having fish and inverts and possibly some macroalgae down the road.

I'll look into refugiums.

Have you heard anything about the AquaEl filters?

I checked out the Oase Biomaster 850, but I think it's too big for my cabinet (will touch the roof).

Never heard of aquael before.

But "The Pond Guru" on youtube does some great videos on setting up canister filters for maximum filtration.

 

[Fresh2Salt95]

Never heard of aquael before.

But "The Pond Guru" on youtube does some great videos on setting up canister filters for maximum filtration.

I like how they designed these with the prefilter.

I usually get my equipment from Amazon or AquaCave.

This is the filter, specifically the 2000 model:

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Top producer of quality aquariums, gadgets, and accessories in the UK - provide aquariums, filters, heaters, lighting, accessories, ready sets, etc ⬤ Click now and find out more!

www.aquael.com

 

[Pntbll687]

 

[Fresh2Salt95]

Yeah, it seems like a good one and it seems to have a higher GPH than the Biomaster 850, which only had 400GPH.

This one has 528GPH.

I'm probably gonna go with this. It's not too pricey, it has a cool prefilter feature, and it actually will fit in my cabinet, I just measured it.

 

[adittam]

I’ll second the “don’t waste money on Current USA strip lights” sentiment. They’re fine if you get a great deal on a used set, and the set has two light bars, but under no circumstances are they worth what they cost new, even on sale. Find something cheaper and used if you’re really staying FOWLR, or go with something like 3 Noopsyche K7 V3’s if there’s any chance you want to keep coral down the road.

 

[adittam]

As far as the filter goes, it’s completely possible to run a tank sumpless, but it takes a much more rigid maintenance schedule than if you have a sump. The thing is, your Tidal 110’s are pretty dang nice for filtration already. I don’t know that a canister will be an upgrade. I’d put the money toward better/more wavemakers, the best HOB refugium and skimmer you can find, and better lights .

 

[adittam]

Here ya go:

3 Noopsyche K7 Pro 2

Selling 3 Noopsyche K7 Pro 2 used led lights and controller. Light are in good working condition. Mount not included. The controller still have the same settings I use on my tank so will be a plug and play. Any question dont hesistate to DM me. Free...

www.reef2reef.com