i have started a new project, building a plywood 600 gal tank. the tank is actually almost built but have no idea what to do on filtration for this. its in my garage so space isnt really an issue here, just need ideas on how to circulate and filter that much water. this is my first tank of this size, my other 2 are only 125 and 150 gallon and just ran with canister filters. i am thinking sump but not sure how to set one up. any help, ideas, suggestions are welcome and appreciated.
filtration for 600 gallon tank???
- Thread starter okiefish
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Sump it. Find a scratched up 125 or something bigger on craigslist for cheap. Buy a nice, energy efficient external pump--Reeflo, Dolphin, W. Lim... Install filter socks and some bio media. Is it drilled already?
I have a close friend running two FX5s on a 300 and it's really not cutting it... I have an FX5 on my 125 and it works fine but I think over the 210ish mark and you're looking at sumps or possibly something like a closed loop bead or crushed glass or sand filter.
Also, start looking at cost, both for the units and the wattage of what you're running and compare it to what you're really getting... Let's say you wanted 10 times turnover on a 600 gallon... That's 6000gph. That would take about 10 FX5s with media. That's also around 500 watts. You can get a big pump like a Reeflo Hammerhead (would be around 5200 gph but still) about the price of two FX5s that runs at 270ish watts.
You could always run both, a decent sized sump and an FX5 or something for back up.
Also, start looking at cost, both for the units and the wattage of what you're running and compare it to what you're really getting... Let's say you wanted 10 times turnover on a 600 gallon... That's 6000gph. That would take about 10 FX5s with media. That's also around 500 watts. You can get a big pump like a Reeflo Hammerhead (would be around 5200 gph but still) about the price of two FX5s that runs at 270ish watts.
You could always run both, a decent sized sump and an FX5 or something for back up.
I have Fluval one FX5 and one 305 on my 220 gallon. Like aClockworkorange said, It just wasn't enough. Added a 20G sump and finally my tank cleaned up. Always had a slight fog in the water, but not anymore... 
In the process now adding a 25 gallon (curb side find) sump with larger overflow and pump.
In the process now adding a 25 gallon (curb side find) sump with larger overflow and pump.On my new 225 I've got a pump that runs about 3000 gph with head height... for about the cost of one FX5 with media--I already had the tank that I turned into a sump. Absolute beast of a filtration system, and the only maintenance I'll have to do is change the filter socks!
However, to be honest on cost, don't underestimate the cost of PVC and stuff like loc line... 
Just research and decide what's best for you.
Just research and decide what's best for you.That's whats nice about a sump you don't have to lug the whole thing to the sink. Just a bucket to put the filter sock or other filters to clean. I don't like cleaning the FX5.
cool info. was already thinking of going with the sump idea. just never set one up before and didnt know how big of a sump i should go with. and yeah i would like to turn over water at least 5 times an hour. its just the plywood up so far, i dont have any holes drilled yet so i can still place them anywhere. will try an post some progress pics later today. outside dimension is 8'x4'x4'. inside its 87"x39" an will fill around 40" high for around 587 gallons.