Filtration for 90 Gallon Mbuna Tank

[twestacott]

I am in the process of upgrading my mbuna tank to 90 gallons. I already have an eheim 2217 cannister which I plan to use for filtration. I am just not sure this filter alone will provide enough flow to turnover the water enough times. Should I add a powerhead or a HOB? Suggestions?

 

[Slade]

For mbuna you should add filtration. An AC110 would work, or another canister. Either would provide enough water movement so you wouldn't need a power head.

 

[haglagwr]

I have a slightly under stocked 90 gallon mbuna tank with an eheim 2217 canister. I use a power head to create more flow towards the intake. I have not had any issues with the filtration but I guess it depends if your tank is overstocked. What is your current stock??

 

[CorallineAlgae]

Another Eheim would be good. You're already used to using them. Personally, I love the Rena XP series canister filters. They're incredibly easy to service and have strong flow. The XP3 would be a great option. For a HOB I agree with the person above, the AC110 is the best there is.

 

[twestacott]

Current stock is only about a dozen yellow labs but would probably be looking to overstock slightly as I would like to add a group of yellow tail acei and either a group of salousi or scolofi depending on what I can find locally in good quality.

 

[gman42]

I bought an emporer 400 off of amazon for 50 bucks and free shipping. I recieved it after just 2 days of ordering, and to be honest it has more room for filter media than my fluval 305 had, and has 400 gph. Its a cheap, but nice alternative.
Aq 110's are also a goood choice.

 

[mohican]

IMO, ur fine. That filter is rated for 160 gal., which is ~2x ur tank size. It has 265 gph too. U could use a little more but it should be ok to start with. Cichlids will need more so a 2nd may have to be in the near future.

 

[rotorhead22]

Recommended flow rate is 6 to 10 times the volume of the tank in flow rate, e.g a 90 gallon would require 540 gal/hour minimum. I have a AC 110 and a Emperor 400 in a 55 gal Malawi tank. I also have 2 AC 50 powerheads and an AC 30 powerhead connected to a sponge filter with the output going through undergravel PVC jets. My tank is overstocked with 18 Mbuna.

 

[Andrew McFadden]

This may help some
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/lake-malawi-mbuna-stocking-dcor-hardware/