90G setup need feedback

[cjvdhx]

So I'm going to be tearing down my planted 65 gallon display tank after having it going for awhile now. I've quickly learned that's it just too difficult to keep clean and I don't want to sacrifice my fishes health because I like plants. I'm buying a new 90 gallon marineland and stand. Should I go bare bottom completely for a display tank? If so what color should I paint the bottom and back? Also pool filter sand was another option I was contemplating. I do still want to have plants but this time I'm going to keep them in pots for ease of cleaning. Also my current canister isn't going to be powerful enough to turn the 90G over enough times per hour. Will an FX4 be alright for a 90? I currently have 5 stendker discus, tetras and corydoras. I want to do this the right way. Thank you

[Ryan925]

Really a good move. I did the same thing. When I saw less than desirable results with my fish I removed all of my plants. Well kept a few at first but eventually they all went. I took out 120# of eco and replaced with 50# of sand.

Obviously BB is the easiest to clean but sand is not bad at all. Many use sand in display tanks. My corys churn the sand pretty well and I try and turn it over periodically when vac'ng waste.

Painting with light colors will result in a better display of colors from your fish. Not only do you avoid peppering with pb strains but other strains will brighten as well. I went from black substrate to white and difference in appearance of the fish was night and day.

[cjvdhx]

Ok so just do pool filter sand? I currently have eco complete capped with flourite black sand but it's too light and it just gets sucked up. Pool filter sand I know is heavy and works well. How many bags should I need for a 90G? 4'x18"x2' ?? Also what about filtration? Sump would be ideal but damn there expensive. Also if I do a white sand can I paint the background black?

[Ryan925]

Ok so just do pool filter sand? I currently have eco complete capped with flourite black sand but it's too light and it just gets sucked up. Pool filter sand I know is heavy and works well. How many bags should I need for a 90G? 4'x18"x2' ?? Also what about filtration? Sump would be ideal but damn there expensive. Also if I do a white sand can I paint the background black?

I used one bag in my 75 which has a footprint of 48x18. Pretty much perfectly covers the bottom rim of the tank.

Right now I'm running an eheim pro4+ 600 so I can't give any advice on the fluval. I have just finished building my sump and will be switching over once I build a stand to fit it.

You are right they are expensive but diy isn't bad at all. I picked up a 40B on the $/gallon sale and spent about $100 bucks on baffles.

From what I read a dark background does not have as much of an effect as the bottom but I think lighter is still the suggestion.

I've been trying different backgrounds. Rather than paint o went to tap plastics. They sell these super thin sheets of plastic in tons of colors. I just cut to fit and slide it between the upper and lower rims. I had black but started to notice a bit of peppering on my pbs

[cjvdhx]

Ok I don't mind a little pepper here and there. Thanks again for all your help. Hopefully someone else can comment on my filtration issues. Thanks.

[Ryan925]

Ok I don't mind a little pepper here and there. Thanks again for all your help. Hopefully someone else can comment on my filtration issues. Thanks.

Many here use the fx filters so I'm sure you'll get some help. As long as you mind your stocking and maintenance I would imagine you are ok. Keep in mind discus don't like strong current. Also keep in mind many use hob or sponge filters. You can pack far more media into a canister than the other types

[cjvdhx]

Many here use the fx filters so I'm sure you'll get some help. As long as you mind your stocking and maintenance I would imagine you are ok. Keep in mind discus don't like strong current. Also keep in mind many use hob or sponge filters. You can pack far more media into a canister than the other types
That's why I am a little concerned about too much flow. I have a friend though that runs an fx5 on a 120 which is only 30 more gallons than a 90 so you'd think an fx4 would work perfectly on a 90. They say 700gph however you pack it full of media and I doubt it's doing 700gph. I also believe the flow can be controlled as I have no desire for a diy spray bar project.

[Kyla]

fx5 is a powerful filter. i have one on my 180g and love it. to reduce flow on a 90g u could rig up a spray bar, ive seen vids on youtube showing how to do this. however, i will caution that the fx5 and fx6 r beasts, and dragging them out from under a tank to clean frequently is a royal PITA. with canisters there is the "out of sight, out of mind" danger where hobbyists may leave the waste and debris in the filters where it is still a part of the water column and can foul the water. so u just gotta make sure u do the work of cleaning them regularly.

HOB or sumps are easier to clean, so that is something to consider when choosing.

[Kyla]

sorry just saw ur spray bar comment lol!! so just ignore my comment ;)

[cjvdhx]

fx5 is a powerful filter. i have one on my 180g and love it. to reduce flow on a 90g u could rig up a spray bar, ive seen vids on youtube showing how to do this. however, i will caution that the fx5 and fx6 r beasts, and dragging them out from under a tank to clean frequently is a royal PITA. with canisters there is the "out of sight, out of mind" danger where hobbyists may leave the waste and debris in the filters where it is still a part of the water column and can foul the water. so u just gotta make sure u do the work of cleaning them regularly.

HOB or sumps are easier to clean, so that is something to consider when choosing.

Thanks for the help! Yeah no intention on diy spray bar for me lol. I've always maintained and cleaned my canisters monthly and this one will be no exception! Thanks again for your feedback.

[cjvdhx]

Ok so I've made up my mind I am going with the FX4 I however have not made my mind up yet on if I should go completely bare bottom or pool filter sand.

[Ryan925]

Ok so I've made up my mind I am going with the FX4 I however have not made my mind up yet on if I should go completely bare bottom or pool filter sand.

You could always start BB then add sand later once your fish have gotten through the most important growth stage.

[Kyla]

if u start BB u can always add sand later on. i would start with BB so u can get a feel for just how easy it is to clean. u may love it and keep the BB (i did). if u start with sand u will never know whether U liked BB or not. if u dont like BB u can easily just add sand later. at least that way u get to try out both.

[cjvdhx]

if u start BB u can always add sand later on. i would start with BB so u can get a feel for just how easy it is to clean. u may love it and keep the BB (i did). if u start with sand u will never know whether U liked BB or not. if u dont like BB u can easily just add sand later. at least that way u get to try out both.
Sand is easy to suck out of the aquarium too! LOL If I do go BB what color should I paint the bottom? I think I want a black background with a light color bottom either by painting it a light color or with pool filter sand.

[Kyla]

i guess its easy on a smaller tank, i took forever to remove all the sand from my 210g because it was hard to reach the bottom! i ended up painting the bottom white which i like, but ive seen some neat "sandy" paints that make the painted bottom look like it is grainy sand too, which may look neat

[cjvdhx]

You could always start BB then add sand later once your fish have gotten through the most important growth stage.

All of my fish are 4.5"+


i guess its easy on a smaller tank, i took forever to remove all the sand from my 210g because it was hard to reach the bottom! i ended up painting the bottom white which i like, but ive seen some neat "sandy" paints that make the painted bottom look like it is grainy sand too, which may look neat
I guess ill paint the back black and do the bottom white and I will probably just use pool filter sand unless someone can convince me otherwise LOL All of my fish are past that growth stage and are all over 4"+ and I have no plans to add anything smaller in the future.

[Kyla]

lol oh noooo! ive failed in my attempt to convert u to the BB camp!!! so close...

[Ryan925]

All of my fish are 4.5"+


I guess ill paint the back black and do the bottom white and I will probably just use pool filter sand unless someone can convince me otherwise LOL All of my fish are past that growth stage and are all over 4"+ and I have no plans to add anything smaller in the future.

I continued to grow my fish with sand with no issue. It really does not seem tough to keep clean. Most everything settles right on top and is easy to siphon. The pump I use for wc is just strong enough to lift the sand and churn it in the python tube then drop it back down. Well I can suck it out if I don't pay attention but I got a good system going.

The sand I got was from ace hardware. Was much more white than some of the other pool filter sand I had lying around. The bags I had were more tan

[cjvdhx]

I continued to grow my fish with sand with no issue. It really does not seem tough to keep clean. Most everything settles right on top and is easy to siphon. The pump I use for wc is just strong enough to lift the sand and churn it in the python tube then drop it back down. Well I can suck it out if I don't pay attention but I got a good system going.

The sand I got was from ace hardware. Was much more white than some of the other pool filter sand I had lying around. The bags I had were more tan
Do remember the brand? When I had pool filter sand before I remember it being pretty heavy and my python wasn't able to completely suck it up.

[Ryan925]

Do remember the brand? When I had pool filter sand before I remember it being pretty heavy and my python wasn't able to completely suck it up.

https://m.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11683357&KPID=10415214&cid=CAPLA:G:Shopping_-_Pool_Chems_&_Maint_Accs=&pla=pla_10415214&k_clickid=d9661aeb-0686-4a6d-901d-da6feff88c88

I use a pump with my python. Python alone probably won't suck it up

[cjvdhx]

Just an update to the thread I'm going to pick everything up tomorrow I still don't know wether I want an fx4 or fx6 for the 90. I've heard all sorts of mixed stuff. My friend has (2) fx6's on his 125 and his discus thrive so would one fx6 be okay on a 90? The reason I really want the fx6 is because I can house my media in it. Please advise

[Dam777]

Just my 2 cents, I have 2 Eheim Pro4+ 350's on a 75gal tank. I prefer the 2 canister set up because I can alternate cleaning. It also offers flexibility in how and what you put in your canisters. JMHO

[Ryan925]

Just my 2 cents, I have 2 Eheim Pro4+ 350's on a 75gal tank. I prefer the 2 canister set up because I can alternate cleaning. It also offers flexibility in how and what you put in your canisters. JMHO

Great filters. I have the 600 on my 75

[tonytheboss1]

:bandana: Truthfully, the "4" is more than enough for your current setup by most performance standards. The "6" for an extra hundred or so would be a good investment for future expansion. Not a Fluval fan myself but I know quite a few & have heard & seen good things. OCD had me go in a different direction & have had -0- problems. Redundancy & turnover are more than most but I sleep well & the fish thrive. A wealth of media is split between four filters, Rena XP4, Eheim 2075, 2 A/C110s. Cleaning is alternated 1 can +1 hob then the other two monthly. Overkill?? Probably. Results? Priceless!! "T"

[cjvdhx]

Thanks again everyone for your help! I ended up just getting the FX4 and I am super happy I did as the flow is perfect and I think anymore may have been too much. I am currently cycling the tank with Dr. Tims and pure ammonia because I am too lazy to open my canister and remove some seeded matrix. I'm not really in a huge hurry to move the fish as that's the part I am dreading. Hopefully by next weekend I can get them into there new home!

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[Ryan925]

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Looks nice. Are you planning on having a planted tank? O loved my 24/7 while my tank was planted but without all my plants it's too much light. I now have to customize the color to prevent algae growth. A better option is the satellite pro plus.

I still run the 24/7 but I have the time opposite and have to run it on a timer and had to add a blue led strip so that I wasn't changing it all the time

[cjvdhx]

Looks nice. Are you planning on having a planted tank? O loved my 24/7 while my tank was planted but without all my plants it's too much light. I now have to customize the color to prevent algae growth. A better option is the satellite pro plus.

I still run the 24/7 but I have the time opposite and have to run it on a timer and had to add a blue led strip so that I wasn't changing it all the time
You think the satellite plus pro is a better option? I actually looked at that light while I was there and it seemed nice but it was really expensive like $280 for a 48" fixture. The tank is going to be planted however with very simple simple plants like amazon sword and java fern and I am not going to root anything into the substrate I am going to use terra cotta pots so that I can easily move them and clean the tank. On my 65 currently I have a 36" 24/7 fixture and when I was running it in 247 mode I too was having algae problems so I just made a custom white light with the remote and set it on the timer.

[Ryan925]

You think the satellite plus pro is a better option? I actually looked at that light while I was there and it seemed nice but it was really expensive like $280 for a 48" fixture. The tank is going to be planted however with very simple simple plants like amazon sword and java fern and I am not going to root anything into the substrate I am going to use terra cotta pots so that I can easily move them and clean the tank. On my 65 currently I have a 36" 24/7 fixture and when I was running it in 247 mode I too was having algae problems so I just made a custom white light with the remote and set it on the timer.

I have the plus pro on my planted tank and love it. Much more customizable but if you are ok with running the 24/7 on a custom color then you are good. During the highest part of the photo period it is a lot of light

When you run your other on a timer it doesn't resume 24/7 mode when powered off then back on?

[cjvdhx]

I have the plus pro on my planted tank and love it. Much more customizable but if you are ok with running the 24/7 on a custom color then you are good. During the highest part of the photo period it is a lot of light

When you run your other on a timer it doesn't resume 24/7 mode when powered off then back on?
No it remembers what setting you had it set too. For example for M1 I have the white light dimmed like almost to the lowest setting and I just run that on a timer and it works perfectly. My discus don't seem to like the bright light on all the time.

[fishermn7]

6pm setting is good gives that subdued look

[Ryan925]

6pm setting is good gives that subdued look

I like the 9 pm setting trying to match that one. Need to play with the customer settings some more

[cjvdhx]

I have the plus pro on my planted tank and love it. Much more customizable but if you are ok with running the 24/7 on a custom color then you are good. During the highest part of the photo period it is a lot of light

When you run your other on a timer it doesn't resume 24/7 mode when powered off then back on?


I like the 9 pm setting trying to match that one. Need to play with the customer settings some more
Yeah this is what I had to do just mess around with it and then save it m1, m2, etc

[Ryan925]

Yeah this is what I had to do just mess around with it and then save it m1, m2, etc

Only downside is there is no slow ramp up in the am. I've been experimenting. I actually set 9am as 9pm then run the light on a timer. That way it is running opposite photo period so the brightest time is while the light is off then I can still get the color change feature.