Canister Filter (Recommendations)

Hi Guys

So I recently got hold of a Boyu 170 liter tank. And I really need to get rid of the internal filter due to aesthetics. I was considering a sump but with the cabinet setup its just not possible now. So my only other option is a canister filter.

But I need to keep in mind that I have a Silver Arowana that does not like a strong flow.

What would you guys recommend. If you can add prices and links I will really appreciate that.

 

Off the bat I can tell you the 170 litre isn't suitable for the arowana, and won't last you long. I suggest looking for a larger tank soon, or moving the fish off to someone with larger accommodation.

If you're set on using this as a grow out tank, rather over filter. Look for 4x turnover and upwards, and don't worry, arowana don't mind a little flow, just don't blow them around the tank. Canister filters, especially with the spray bar added, don't impart a particularly large flowing effect on the tank.

My preferred brand is Eheim, just for the fact that mine have lasted over 10 years.

 

@PieterBez01 ......

Honestly.. i wouldnt spend another cent on that tank if you really want to keep the Arowana..
What are the dimensions? 170l..... in less than 6 months you need another tank

Also... Arowanas dont mind flow at all and if as @SalmonAfrica says, you have a spray bar, it disperses the flow anyway

I have used the Dophin range and they have served me well

 

So I completely miss read the specs of the tanks.

TANK SPEC: EA-120
SIZE：1200Lx400Wx600H(mm)
L: 246L
LIGHT POWR：30Wx2

This will make a major difference in what I now need.

 

Still way too small for the Arowana.

 

@PieterBez01 .... Im sorry.... if properly fed and healthy, she will outgrow that tank in less than 6 months time...
Silver Arowanas grow very, very fast.... you have no idea how fast

 

I 100% agree. But it's not feasible to get a big tank now. And as I mentioned I got quoted R35k for the tank I wanted. So with further investigation we decided that for R35k we will build a nice big indoor pond in our new house which financially will make much more sense. So for now I got a Dophin C500 pump which is working extremely well. Also opted for an inline heater which to my surprise keeps the tank at a constant temperature. Thus has a real nice affect to to tank as there are no more wires etc inside the tank will post some updated pictures. Also got my self a 6cm red catfish which I cant wait to grow up to be a monster.

 

I recon I'm still save for a little while longer. As planned massive pond will be built and I'll get a nice 2 meter holding tank in the garage.

 

@PieterBez01 ... I agree with @Reedfish in that the tank for those monsters should come before the fish as i truly believe the pond costs will exceed the tank costs, especially to be indoors

Where ever i look i see large Aros, red tail cats, pangassius, clown knives for sale... its sad..

However.... it will be awesome to follow your indoor pond build.. I hope its in the very near future as you are going to need it soon

Keep the updates coming

 

Silver aro's are notorious jumpers, in any tank >90% will smash through sliders or whatever covers the tank and end up dead outside the tank, or they'll simply kill themselves by hitting whatever is on top of the tank.
When kept in ponds, unless the pond is covered it will likely jump out as well. I would really like to see the 5 yr survival rate of these fish in captivity.

 

Was chatting to a wholesaler of these in Singapore many years back - darn long bus ride for such a small island to get to him. He commented that the best design of a pond or large tank or the aro's was something that never ends. At first I thought I understood him wrong. Then at one of the aquariums I noticed that the aro tank had an island in the middle ... and it clicked they went round and round and round like the stream would never end.

Weird that this thread made that observation surface.
as for the OP ... one does what one can with the resources we have

As or the best canister - bigger is always better esp if you can reduce the flow when needed. Second consideration is can you get spares but the overwhelming on for me ... how much power will it suck since this will be running 24x7.

Later Ferdie

 

I'd like to see where you got that statistic. But I agree many aros will damage themselves In small tanks.

In ponds they are much more calm generally, I think it's a better environment and they'll jump less.

@f-fish aros just go round and round in circles in small tanks, always on patrol

 

@Hendre .... I think @Jwh is refering mostly to SA and i agree with him.
There are many threads of silver aros... they start... and they die....
If you can show us any over 5 year old aros... i would live to see.
If they didnt die from jumping out the tank, they died from being sold from pillar to post.
SA is not the States where monster fish and monster tanks are common and even there, i see posts every couple of days saying : help... my aro jumped out and is hurt.

 

This is my design.

Will hold up to 8-9000 liters.
The whole setup wont cost me much as all materials I can get at cost prices. This is including pumps, plumbing valves etc. Basically the only thing that will cost my a pretty penny is the labor required. As well as the monthly maintenance costs. So to cover electricity bill it will mostly run on solar power. Now this is really expensive installing solar can cost anything from R20k - R200k but it does save you money in the long run as most of the house will run on solar.

As soon as we move which is in February the build will commence.

 

Nice ... put plating holes in the middle island ...

I am assuming the steps are actually the built-in filter, or rather loads of leca?

Later Ferdie

 

Looks awesome...

Will be amazing to follow this build, look forward to it.

 

If this is indoors, take humidity into consideration, a heated pond or pool in an enclosed area can lead to serious condensation and mould, plan for adequate ventilation.

 

Amazing what we do for our fish!