55G filtration help

[kdblove_99]

I'm getting a 55G tank and it comes with a penguin 330 filter. i will be putting mbuna cichlids in the tank and i have read they you should use extra filtration for these fish. so should i add anything? A canister,like a Eheim 2215?

It also sayd to use very little gravel. my question is would gravel or sand be better? and i knwo lots of rocks!

[jimbo]

A Penguin 330 filter is recommended for tanks up to 55 gal so you’ll be safe, though on the outer limits of its capacity. Some extra filtration wouldn’t be a bad idea with mbuna’s.
An Eheim 2215 could be an option as extra mechanical filtration but if I were you, I would go with a second Penguin 330. They’re good value for money, more capacity, perhaps even better filtration with the bio-wheel and easier to maintain without the hoses and stuff.

As for the substrate; sand would be the best choice when it comes to duplicating their natural environment. But also fine gravel(next to sand) would be a good replacement.
Some hobbyists use crushed coral (or a mix) to raise or buffer the waters pH/KH, whether you need crushed coral as well, will depend on your tap-water conditions.
Although I’ve never heard or witnessed any fatal accidents, course gravel could damage their gills as some mbuna like to sift sand through their gills in search for some food.
I hope you’re not too confused by all this, but if your goal is to create a natural habitat (as close as possible) I would definitely go with the sand.

Lots of rocks creating lots of hiding places are highly recommended.
Make sure not to place the rocks directly on the glass or on top of the substrate, place them on a piece of polystyrene foam like a half inch thick first, than pile up the rocks and after that you can add the substrate you’ve chosen. This will prevent the bottom from cracking (small pressure points with lots of weight) and the rocks from collapsing when your mbuna’s starts to dig, because that’s what they like to do.

Jimmy

[DarthV]

If you're going to do the usual - overstocking the mbuna, then you should think hard about getting the canister :)

[dcallen]

Hi,

I agree, you would definitely want to put more filtration on the tank. I have an Emperor 400 and an Eheim 2213 cannister on my 70 gallon tank, they do very well together and keep my water crystal clear. The downside for the Eheim cannister filter is that it's harder to clean than a HOB filter which is easier to clean and maintain. Having said that I still really like the Eheim products they have done an excellent job for me over the years. I think two Penguin 330's would do also, but the cannister would be what I would recommend. Getting the additional filtration is the important part. I think I would also recommend sand for your substrate, I think it's a better match for the mbunas you are going to have. Good luck with you tank.



HTH

[dave76]

I have a 55 gallon with a pimelodus pictus, a striped raphael, and CAE and a Green Terror Cichlid. I have two penguin 330 filters on the tank. The single 330 was suffiecient for other fish that I had but with the GT his appetite and subsquent waste production left ammonia traces in the tank unless I vacuumed it daily. I added the second 330 and after my biowheel cultures kicked in I have no more probs with ammonia. My water has a slight haze to it, but I attribute that to some zeolite that I tried before the second set of biowheels were established. I am hoping that will clear. I may have to add some poly floss to the filter for water polishing to remove this slight haze. Before I used this my water was also crystal clear. At $23 from big als it was hard to spend $100 or so on a canister. IMHO the second penguin is the cost effective way to go.:D

[kdblove_99]

Hmm,

So it looks like its down to a Eheim canister a Emp 400 or peguin 330, But i think i would take the Emp 400 over the penguin!!!

So Eheim Canister or Emp 400?

Oh one last thing how many Mbuna can i put in a 55G, A guy over at Predatoryfish.net said 15-20 is that right? Thats alot of fish.

[nattybrack]

I have a 55 as well and have an emporer 400 and a whisper 60 and the water looks great. Really no complaints. Now... if I had to do over again, and granted this makes no sense, but, I would get a cannister w/ a HOB. I can't really tell you why, other than I've heard the mechanical filtration is better in a cannister, so combined w/ a HOB for the biological (bio wheel) it would be a really good combo. But like i said, my water looks really good.

I have about 15 3" in my tank, with a lot of rock work.

[kdblove_99]

Any pics?

[Jinks]

ive got 15 + 2 plecos in a 77 Gal

http://fish.stjinks.com

[nattybrack]

no pics as of yet. tried a disposable cam hoping that would work, guess what... it didn't. thinkin' santy claus might have to make a digi cam purchase sooner rather than later.


like the updates to the site jinks

[jimbo]

Originally posted by kdblove_99

Oh one last thing how many Mbuna can i put in a 55G, A guy over at Predatoryfish.net said 15-20 is that right? Thats alot of fish.

This guy is selling fish, he's not really concerned about the tank size you're providing for them.
If you're interested in just the colorful males, I would advise not more than 6 or 7 different species. When you're interested in breeding them, 2 males with each 2 or 3 females would be the limit. Perhaps you could try 3 males with 3 females. Just keep in mind that some mbunas can be pretty “aggressive” when creating and defending their territory when they start to breed.
With 15 or 20 mbunas in a 55, you’re going to create an impressive and stressful battlefield.

Edit: It all depends on the size of the fish you're starting with of
course

Jimmy

[nattybrack]

I've heard from a lot of people that you shouldn't have a lot of fish in a 55. I went the other way though. The way that I combat the overcrowding is by having a lot of rocks. every fish really can have it's own hiding spot, and like Jimbo mentioned, basically all the fish are young 1.5" on average, and will grow to only 3" (also on average). I tried the tank w/an "appropriate" amount of fish for a while and had dominance issues, this way, my 1 bully (female kenyi) is busy chasing evryone a little and then gets tired.

[kdblove_99]

Originally posted by Jinks
ive got 15 + 2 plecos in a 77 Gal

http://fish.stjinks.com

Those look nice jinks. wish you had close-ups any others with pics i need to steal some ideas:)


Also i think i'm going to go with the penguin 330 that comes with the tank and a Eheim 2213 canister

[dcallen]

I'm with Jimmy on this one, I wouldn't suggest more than 7 or 8 fish in your 55 gallon setup. I think 7 or 8 nice males would look very good in your tank. Of course you could start out with more and then move them to another tank once they get larger. Good luck with your tank.



:D