Just got a new tank (5'x2'x2') and was wondering if anbody has any thoughts regarding setups of filters.

The end result is I think going to be a "community" tank for my two silver sharks and maybe some large tank mates in the future, and many (possibly 60-100) smaller fish like my Harliquins, Gold barbs. Maybe some neons, rummys etc.... And dont forget PLANTS. Planning on having no plastic plants. This is some way off but would be glad to hear you opinions re: filtration.

Being a diver, the concept of redundancy is appealing. But I am also wondering about things such as circulation/ water movement. How much is needed? Do i need to consider "dead spots". Have good experinces with a particular brand of filters so would probably stick to the brand i like. Looking more for info on setups rather than "brands"

Cheers

Diver John

I run two cannister filters, IMHO there are so many plus, that if you can afford to you would be mad not to.

Redundancy,

Can be cleaned one at a time, to save bacteria

1 can be moved to second tank if needed

Water movement depends on your setup, for a tank that size I think it would be very unlikely it would be a problem of too much, if it is just direct the filter output at the back corner.

I too would run 2 filters, one at each end.

I'd run 2 canister filters as well, although I'd probably be more inclined to run them so they're operating the same way; i.e the water flow would all be one-direction...

And I'm not just saying that to be contrary, I just like the idea of one current, it's more like a river-type situation then!

For what its worth I run mine end to end as per Aqua, my thinking was that if I ran one each end the water in the middle of the tank MIGHT not make it to the filter.

Yay I'm not insane!

Mine I have one on the back spraying forward and one on the left side spraying to the right.

Why not start with one and see how it goes. You can always add another later.

I think a single cannister filter for a tank this size would have to be one of the bigger ones. I don't think it would cost much more to put in two smaller. i.e. two fluval 204's cost about the same as one fluval 404's