Who Gives A Fish Forums

I'm not new to the aquarium hobby, but setting up my 150g tank for frontosas is a new challenge. I've got two fluval 405s running, but I've learned that frontosas prefer low flow environments. Since my tank isn't drilled and I don't have a sump, I'm considering a filtration change. I looked at the fluval fx5, but it seems like a bulky filter that would be a pain to maneuver during maintenance.

I'm also thinking of replacing one of the 405s with an aquatop cv500uv - I like the built-in uv sterilizer, but I've heard mixed reviews about aquatop. My concern is that the filter might be cheaply made, given the lower price point. A sump would be ideal, but I don't want to drill my tank.

My goal is to have an adjustable flow rate, so I can provide enough water movement without disturbing the fish. This type of care is new to me, so I'd appreciate some guidance. What do you guys recommend for filtering the tank, and how should I go about it? I'm open to any suggestions or constructive criticism.

I'd consider creating a couple of custom spraybars with large holes to dissipate the flow, making it less intense for the frontosas.

I run two FX5s on my tank, no problems so far. They've got spots with calmer flow if needed, but honestly, my fish don't seem to need them.