Extra filtration for holding tank

[norfythenorf]

I moved house a few months ago and have my few small fish in a Shoreham Fibreglass tank ~ 450 gallons currently just running their standard integrated filter box which is mostly jap matting. I am a bit concerned that this isn't going to be sufficient until the pond eventually gets built (probably next year now) and was thinking of adding a DIY box filter with K1 to add extra capacity and help keep the water stable. Should I do that or would it be more sensible and indeed possible to start using my new Nexus 200 which is sat in the garden unused? If I use the Nexus, it's got to feed off a 2" drain from the tank or 1.5" after the integrated filter. How important is the flow rate for the Nexus, as for one thing there's small diameter pipe to draw through and secondly the tank itself isn't huge and I don't want to turn it into a whirlpool for the fish so would want to use a lowish powered pump.

Another option I just thought of would be to pump feed the Nexus from a sub pump in the tank itself so wouldn't need to tap into the tank's existing plumbing, although the water return is then more of an issue as I would have to raise the Nexus which could be awkward. Also the water wouldn't be coming through the jap matting so would fines then be an issue with the Nexus (am assuming not at this stage).

[B.Scott]

If you have the space, I don't see how using the nexus will hurt in the least. It would mean you get a head start when it comes to cycling the filter as well. The only down side is the point you remove it and attach it to the pond. This will make the water valuses in the QT dip a bit but as long as you get the pond up and running asap it shouldn't be too much trouble.

B.Scott

[norfythenorf]

Thanks B Scott. Have decided to press the Nexus into service, so the next decision is how best to do it. I have a 2" BD into the integrated filter then 1.5" pipes from the pump back to the tank. Ideally I want to gravity feed the Nexus from the integrated filter so the water has passed through the jap matting first, but that would mean buying a more powerful pump and I am not sure the existing pipework could handle the extra flow. Simplest thing seems to be to leave the existing pump & integrated filter in place and use a new pump to pump feed directly from the tank but then I don't have the jap matting taking solids out before the water reaches the Nexus.

Opinions welcome!