truth about hob filters

tmkx3 · 03/20/2006, 08:38 PM

Okay I am looking to put some additional filteration on my 125g tank. I recently had a mini cycle and I think my tank needs some help. I already have on hob skimmer, so why not an hob filter. I believe that they are easier to maintain, cheaper, no flooding problems, easier to set-up and you don't have to worry about power outages. Them being on the back isn't an issue for me. I'm thinking about an emperor 400/bio wheel and a uv sterilizer. What do you think?

125g,125lbs lr 3inch sandbed, pro prizm skimmer

foxface
2 percula's
3green chromis
coral beauty

fsn77 · 03/20/2006, 08:51 PM

While I love the Emperor filters for fw tanks, I don't see how one of the 400 models would be large enough to make much of an impact on a 125 g tank. At a flow rate of 400 gph, it wouldn't turn over your tank water more than 4 times per hour. That's really not much at all to be honest. For a tank that large, I'm not sure an adequate single HOB filter exists (but I by no means claim to know of everything that's available). If I'm wrong, I'd certainly love to know of a HOB filter large enough to effectively filter a tank of that size.

Many people don't recommend bio-wheels for sw tanks, but that's a whole other discussion in itself that others can explain if they like. Or, just read up on the pros / cons of bio-balls, as it's essentially the same arguement.

BryanJ · 03/20/2006, 09:48 PM

You could try an Eheim 2260 at 500 gph it would work well.

minireef30 · 03/20/2006, 09:57 PM

Do the sump thing. Really it is a better way to go all around. Spend the money on a better skimmer, and use a Rubbermaid
tote($8) for the sump. Overflows are a dime a dozen on Ebay.
Many return pump choices too on there. Flooding isn't a problem
if you keep the sump water level in check. That is what I did on my old 125.

BryanJ · 03/21/2006, 08:49 AM

If you do nothing else upgrade to a turbfloater multi; that prism does not belong on a tank that size. I own and use the skimmer on my 120 with a 40 gallon sump and it works great. So it is pleanty of skimmer for your 125. You also need to increase your flow to at least 25x turnover to be successful. High flow in this hobby is your best friend.

03/20/2006, 08:38 PM	#1
tmkx3 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 73	truth about hob filters Okay I am looking to put some additional filteration on my 125g tank. I recently had a mini cycle and I think my tank needs some help. I already have on hob skimmer, so why not an hob filter. I believe that they are easier to maintain, cheaper, no flooding problems, easier to set-up and you don't have to worry about power outages. Them being on the back isn't an issue for me. I'm thinking about an emperor 400/bio wheel and a uv sterilizer. What do you think? 125g,125lbs lr 3inch sandbed, pro prizm skimmer foxface 2 percula's 3green chromis coral beauty

03/20/2006, 09:48 PM	#3
BryanJ Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Green Bay, WI. Posts: 2,938	You could try an Eheim 2260 at 500 gph it would work well. __________________ Experience is the best source of information! Current Tank Info: 120 gallon mixed reef, 75 gallon sump, Sequence Wahoo, Tunze stream, Euroreef CS 8-1 and 2x250 MH

03/21/2006, 08:49 AM	#5
BryanJ Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Green Bay, WI. Posts: 2,938	If you do nothing else upgrade to a turbfloater multi; that prism does not belong on a tank that size. I own and use the skimmer on my 120 with a 40 gallon sump and it works great. So it is pleanty of skimmer for your 125. You also need to increase your flow to at least 25x turnover to be successful. High flow in this hobby is your best friend. __________________ Experience is the best source of information! Current Tank Info: 120 gallon mixed reef, 75 gallon sump, Sequence Wahoo, Tunze stream, Euroreef CS 8-1 and 2x250 MH

03/20/2006, 08:51 PM	#2
fsn77 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: SC Posts: 777	While I love the Emperor filters for fw tanks, I don't see how one of the 400 models would be large enough to make much of an impact on a 125 g tank. At a flow rate of 400 gph, it wouldn't turn over your tank water more than 4 times per hour. That's really not much at all to be honest. For a tank that large, I'm not sure an adequate single HOB filter exists (but I by no means claim to know of everything that's available). If I'm wrong, I'd certainly love to know of a HOB filter large enough to effectively filter a tank of that size. Many people don't recommend bio-wheels for sw tanks, but that's a whole other discussion in itself that others can explain if they like. Or, just read up on the pros / cons of bio-balls, as it's essentially the same arguement.

03/20/2006, 09:57 PM	#4
minireef30 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Bessemer City,NC Posts: 291	Do the sump thing. Really it is a better way to go all around. Spend the money on a better skimmer, and use a Rubbermaid tote($8) for the sump. Overflows are a dime a dozen on Ebay. Many return pump choices too on there. Flooding isn't a problem if you keep the sump water level in check. That is what I did on my old 125.