New 20G tips for tank cleanliness

[kmano8]

I have a 20G tank set up with a Penguin100 filter, Hydor Koralia Water Circulation Pump, Large Piece of real driftwood and artificial plants. My residents are a texas cichlid, salvini cichlid and a pleco. I've been doing water changes every few days because I've noticed there's quite a bit of fish waste in the gravel. Is there any way to take care of this?

 

[jbradt]

Vacuuming the gravel when you do water changes is the only way to go here.

 

[DAVIDFBT]

Google Gravel Vaccums. Your tank has too many fish in it. The pleco will most likely grow to 18 inches, and will need a 200 gallon tank. The texas cichlid will grow too big for your tank. Not sure about the salvini cichlid though.

 

[kmano8]

I figured this, and it's what I've been doing.

On another note, I was planning on getting some cats to handle the excess food that the cichlids miss.

 

[kmano8]

Google Gravel Vaccums. Your tank has too many fish in it. The pleco will most likely grow to 18 inches, and will need a 200 gallon tank. The texas cichlid will grow too big for your tank. Not sure about the salvini cichlid though.

I understood this when I purchased them, and plan to get a larger tank when I need to.

 

[jpappy789]

I figured this, and it's what I've been doing.

On another note, I was planning on getting some cats to handle the excess food that the cichlids miss.

Catfish are not just scavengers and need to be fed. Don't plan on them cleaning up the mess your cichlids make, that is your job.

I understood this when I purchased them, and plan to get a larger tank when I need to.

How large are you planning an how soon? I don't mean to be rude but often times fish owners will say that they plan on upgrading but it doesn't always happen do to different reasons...

 

[Rbishop]

The fish you have will not miss excess food. It sounds like you are over feeding. The fish you have are big eaters and that results in heavy messes that only a gravel vac will remove.

Most cats will just add more wastes. The upgrade needs to come soon as the water quality in a small tank can go downhill fast.

 

[jm1212]

how often are you doing water changes now? you should be doing at least 25% per week.

also, your tank is underfiltered, especially with your stock. you should really add another penguin 100 to the tank.

 

[kmano8]

I've been doing 2 or so changes/week. Would it be better to have a second filter, or have one larger one?

 

[jpappy789]

I personally like to have two filters of some sort.