what type and how much filteration

[Vaudeville]

Hey Gang
I am looking for an answer before I go and and spend some dollars I could put into fish.
I am setting up three tanks (two 90s and one 120) which are going to be next to each other. The 90s will be on one stand with the 120 right next to it. These will be located in the man's room (ie. the basement) so noise won't be too much of a problem.
Should I use a large over the side filter for each of the 90s and 2 large ones for the 120? Would a canister filter for the 120 be better? Do they have a monster over the side filter for the 120?
I seem to remember back in the 60s and 70s (which is feat in its self) that the LFS were using a portable vac. to go from tank to tank to clean them. I know that this did nothing for the water quality but did it work to clean the bottom?
One of those would be possibly cheaper than three filters.
:cool:
Thanks and always remember... Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, just keep swimming.

[bobrfish]

Cannisters can be much larger than HOT and also very quiet. One down side to cannisters is they may not be able to oxygenate the water in a tank heavy with cichlids.
Hang on tank power filters are easy to service. IMO, servicing cannisters is a drag and I used HOT over cannisters.
Belief it or not, 3-4 large sponges could work for these tanks also.
Also consider wet dry with larger tanks, may be noisy but great filtration and oxygenation.

[marauders30]

you could use aquclear 110's which are HOB, but the media is kind of like a canister. they are a well respected filter so two on a 120 i think will be ok provided you dont have somewhat of an overstock. if u need anymore than the two then I would stick with a canister because ac110's are quite bulky and chances are you wont have room for more of them.