my new 135gal set...few ????

[2klude]

just got a good deal on a rena filstar xp3. i currently have a 72gal tank setup with 2 penguin 330's and 2 402 power heads with sponge attachments. its been up and running for over a year with no fishes dying. all my fish species that have a m/f have bread. thanx to this site i feel like i kinda know what i am doing...thanx guys

anyways to get to the point

i just got a deal on a 135gal tank. i am going to take down the 72gal tank and start up this new one. would u use all my old quipment and the xp3 on this tank setup?

i keep reading people saying u should use a HOB filter along with the canister filter. why is this besides the fact i get more GPH? i know it has to do with one type of filtration...i think mechanical but correct me if i am wrong. i dont even know what mechanical filtration is. can someone please explain? also what does HOB stand for?

i havnt got the xp3 yet but i know it comes with all the filter media already. right now i have just filter pads and crushed coral in my media baskets on my penguin 330's. now that i have the new rena filter should i change anything as far as media in my penguin 330's. i hate cleaning the filter pads. anything i can do to avoid this or atleast prolong it.

lastly when i do transfer all the fish over will they be fine since i already have establish bacteria on my power filters and powerheads. i am going to be switching from gravel to silca sand on this new tank. i was also planning on putting some of my established gravel in a stocking and dropping it into the tank to help cycle the tank better. does this sound good to u guys. how much of my old water should i transfer into my new tank? do i have to transfer my old water or can i skip doing it?

lastly any tips on transfering the fish. when my friend setup his new tank with sand it got really cloudy. can i put my fish in the tank after i have it set up. i cant see leaving my fish in buckets overnight while the tank clears up. any pointers would help.

thanx again and sorry for the long post.

[dokjones]

I am going off personal experience because I just did what you are doing. First I hate to say it but the Rena is a terrible filter. I had the same one you have and it broke on me in a month. I personally sucked it up and bought a Ehiem 2229 wet/dry filter. It is well worth the buy. But if you switch over your other filters and gravel/rocks you should be ok with the water quality. I would by some bacteria just to be safe. But you have to remeber that there is never to much filter. And also concider that with the new tank you are going to need more water movement. With a 135 I dont think filters is unuff. I had to go out and get a powerhead so I can have a "current" if you well in my tank. I hope I answered all your questions and I know others will help you out. I got alot of info from people on here, diff alot of wisdom on this site.:dance:

[SGypsyMermaid]

hob=hang on back

mechanical filtration=particles/solids are physically removed(grabbed) by filter.

rocks from your old tank contain a lot of beneficial bacteria, and adding some of the gravel is a good idea, as well as filter media from the old filters.

i would use half of the old tank water to prevent shocking the fish.