NEW 180g... any suggestions for filtration

Made a score... 180g tank in perfect condition for $100 off of craigs list!! Just the tank itself... the guys used it for a big snake. He had over 50 snakes (and I thought I was nuts about fish).

Gonna make my own top/lights but does anyone have any suggestions on filter???

I am thinking of a canister filter with at least 1800gph... makes/models???

Eheim 2260 or 2262

Wet/DRy with Mag18

khrister wrote:

Wet/DRy with Mag18

Sump it up.

It all depends on what you want. I will say that IMO 1800 GPH is more then enough for a 180 gallon tank. That is a big tank but 10X is still a ton.

Now a few things to think about. As others have said mag 18, which is a great pump but at 5' of head (roughly) you will still only be at 1200GPH. You could use a Mag 24 and get over 1800 at 5' but to put a few things in perspective for you.

Using the energy cost in VA as an example. (Avg. 10 cents per kilowatt hour)

A mag 18 at 145 watts will cost you $127 a year you run.
A mag 24 at 237 watts will run you up $207! a year to just run the pump!

Compared to say the FX5 rated for 400 gallon tank. Now this filter only produces 900 GPH and even less at 5' but...
FX5 at 50 watts will cost you $43 a year! that is over 50% saving of the 18 alone!


Not saying that this is the best route but compare the price of setting up a sump+ buying a big pump+ overflow (unless you drill) and you are at or above the price of a nice new canister then add in operating cost and well...

If you do want to stick to that 1800 GPH then the sump and big pump is the only way to go because no canister even comes close to those numbers.

What could be a good compromise is a combination of a sump with smaller pump and a good canister filter. Strill useing less power overall then one big pump and no single point of failure.
You have to keep in mind that sumps are not the best at mechanical filtration but are great for bio. Canisters are kind of the inbetween. They are better at mechanical but slightly less efficient at bio.

Just a few things to think about from a different angle.

schmidtylv wrote:

Made a score... 180g tank in perfect condition for $100 off of craigs list!! Just the tank itself... the guys used it for a big snake. He had over 50 snakes (and I thought I was nuts about fish).

Gonna make my own top/lights but does anyone have any suggestions on filter???

I am thinking of a canister filter with at least 1800gph... makes/models???

Nice score! I just scored the same thing Tuesday. A 120 wide, lady used it for bearded dragons. Picked up 120 gallons for $50 bucks. Gotta Love CL.... For my bigger tanks I always use 1 FX5 and one Emperor 400. That way I have the filtration and movement of the FX5 but also have one filter that skims off the top.

I was suggesting of putting 2 ehiem canister filters.

I do very well with an FX5 and a Filstar XP4 on my 150. Striking makes some very good points about energy costs!

My tank was drilled but I decided against a sump because of the noise, but that might not matter to you as much.

Also, just in case you did not think of this already - if the tank was used for a snake, then maybe it is suitable for reptile use, only. Check the thickness of the glass to make sure it can hold that much water safely.

i am sure you know but i have heard in the past that you should remove the silicone and reseal the tank since it was reptile tank. the ammonia for thier pee and leach out into the water.



i would suggest 2 FX5's or a sump.