4 replies to this topic

[praet1234]

Heya,

i've heard people saying over filtering is best when keeping cichlids. What is defined at over filtering? filtering the tank 10 times per hour? what would you say is the minimum as well?

thanx,
julz

[chuckmeister]

Hi Julz , Filtering is something that lots of people like to argue about. IMO 10 times per hour is way too much filtration on any tank. I like to go for about 3-5 times the water volume an hour. As Important if not more important is WHAT you have as filter media AND what fish you keep. eg messy fish,Does your filter have to buffer your water etc
There are also better and worse ways to filter. You've got a powerhead which IMO is good for nothing but particle pickup...not much biological benifit from these guys, cannisters/HOB which are great and do a wonderful job and trickle/sump setups which IMO are the best as they provide a custom setup as to how your fish like to be filtered.
The minimum I think on any tank is 2 times per hour but the more the better to a limit. dont forget that your fish have to swim in the current you provide

[CommodoreKev]

I agree 3 - 5 times is about the best, but as chuckmeister commented theres water turnover and then there is filtering. I had a 2028 and a internal box power filter running my 4x2x2. You could argue the 2028 will do a 6x2x2, but I always use the extra filtering. I have to admit sometimes with the internal filter switched off you stirred up less crap in the tank. So IMO go more filtering, without too much water turnover; you do not want a whirlpool in the tank.

Kev

[mtchye]

Hi guys,

I think these kinds of rules of thumb can be very confusing. Remember also that pumps under load will often pump considerably less water than stated...

I reckon you can't overfilter - but filtration is dependant on both water flow and surface area of the media.

If you have enough surface area then as long as the flow is not too strong as to be uncomfortable for the fish (fixable with a large pored spray bar) then there really isn't much problems with overfiltration.

Agree with chuck RE what kind of fish you keep too.. some like strong current. Some require additional mechanical filtration etc

I usually use a powerhead with a open pore sponge eg those blue filter foams that you can get at the input. This acts as the mechanical filter. Then I'll have additional bio filtration in the form of other filters eg canisters or connect the output of the powerhead to a homemade box filter that sits on top of the tank.

The best thing is using foam on all inputs regardless of what filter type you have. If you don't mind the ugliness that reduces the gunk that gets into you bio media and cuts down your maintenance heaps!
HTH

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[mrgreen]

hey guys , great thread , i will give u one example that has happend to myself .

After aquiring another canister filter i decided to get it primed (start cycling the filter to get bacteria) in my tang tank (4" x 20' x 16') which has small grain white sand as a substrate , this tank used to be filtered by a hang-on type aquaclear 300(and two intank sponge air driven filters) , the water parameters were always perfect for the fish kept .

What i did notice when both the canister filter and the aquaclear 300 were running together , was absolutely spotless sand , quite unusual as i had been vacumming off waste twice a week to keep a clear sand appearance .

The current in the tank seemed only slightly stronger , fish were not bothered by the slightly greater water movement and everything was doin just fine , after a 2 week period i decided to leave the cannister filter in that tank , and move some filters around to strengthin the general filtration of all my tanks .

Without the aquaclear on the tank i was soon back to removing waste products and uneaten food twice a week , so what i would say is u can never have to much filtration with cichlids , sure angels and more delicate fish mite have problems with current and this needs to be addressed when keeping these types of fish but in general cichlid fish keeping try to "over filter" all tanks , but id say two filters are a lot better than just one , regardless of "surface area in media" and " water turnover rate" , look at it like having a TV in ur house , although u might only need one , its a lot better to have 3
cheers steve green