I am planning on stocking a 90 gallon tank with African Cichlids and later on adding a 150 gallon tank with a couple of Oscars. How many times an hour do you all filter the water in your Cichlid tanks? I just wanted to make sure that when I set the tanks up that I am over the top with the filters. Thanks.
Filtering?
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Thank you, I was going to shoot for atleast 7 times an hour. Looks like I will use that as a minimum starting point.
Thanks all. I have an undergravel filter and will have a second Emperor 400 on the 90 by the end of the week. Once the cycle is done and I am positive that the water is good, I will start adding some African Cichlids to the tank.
How many 4"-5" cichlids do you think could eventually live in the 90 by adding them one or two at a time?
Once I get the 150 up and running, I was wondering what kind of filters everyone is running for that size tank for two Oscars. I have been studying them and been trying to do the real world filtration math. I am considering two Fluval FX5 filters or maybe the comparable Eheims. I want to get to 10x an hour and I keep coming up with needing 3 canister filters, or atleast 2 canister filters and another Emperor 400. I would happily provide overkill on the filtration but I don't really want to break the bank to get there.
What kind of filtration are you all running on your 150 gallon Oscar tanks?
How many 4"-5" cichlids do you think could eventually live in the 90 by adding them one or two at a time?
Once I get the 150 up and running, I was wondering what kind of filters everyone is running for that size tank for two Oscars. I have been studying them and been trying to do the real world filtration math. I am considering two Fluval FX5 filters or maybe the comparable Eheims. I want to get to 10x an hour and I keep coming up with needing 3 canister filters, or atleast 2 canister filters and another Emperor 400. I would happily provide overkill on the filtration but I don't really want to break the bank to get there.
What kind of filtration are you all running on your 150 gallon Oscar tanks?
Don't listen to these people they're all wrong. You're supposed to grab a piece of filter paper and a cup. Now every hour you stand over your aquarium- grab a few cups of water and pour it over the filter paper. And then you put goggles on and dip your head into the water... look for and pick up little pieces of fish waste and uneaten food. Filter schmilter this is how it's done.
:thumbsup:
:thumbsup:
c:
I run a wet/dry (200 gallon freshwater) on my 125 that has 2 Oscars. The return pump is a Mag-Drive 950 and the overflow is capable of 1200gph.
Stocking is 2 Oscars, 1 very large Silver Dollar, 1 Gibbiceps Pleco, 2 Convicts. (all fish are rescues hence the odd stocking). No plants unless I toss them in as a treat.
Canister filters are different than HOB in cleaning the water. There is often less by-pass than an HOB and overall more efficient. The same can be said about wet/dry systems. They both have far more media than any HOB could possibly hold. Turnover rate requirement isn't as high on them. On an average stocked tank 3x an hour is usually sufficient but with 2 Oscars, the more the better. Oscars are generally messy eaters creating more suspended waste. Feeding live foods compounds the problem, not to mention the possibility of introducing diseases. I do not feed my Oscars live food unless it is something I have raised. Live foods are not as nutritious as most prepared foods. I use Hikari Cichlid Gold or a quality pellet from Ken's Fish. Occasional fresh veggies are often appreciated.
Stocking is 2 Oscars, 1 very large Silver Dollar, 1 Gibbiceps Pleco, 2 Convicts. (all fish are rescues hence the odd stocking). No plants unless I toss them in as a treat.
Canister filters are different than HOB in cleaning the water. There is often less by-pass than an HOB and overall more efficient. The same can be said about wet/dry systems. They both have far more media than any HOB could possibly hold. Turnover rate requirement isn't as high on them. On an average stocked tank 3x an hour is usually sufficient but with 2 Oscars, the more the better. Oscars are generally messy eaters creating more suspended waste. Feeding live foods compounds the problem, not to mention the possibility of introducing diseases. I do not feed my Oscars live food unless it is something I have raised. Live foods are not as nutritious as most prepared foods. I use Hikari Cichlid Gold or a quality pellet from Ken's Fish. Occasional fresh veggies are often appreciated.
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