135 gallon getting started need help

[nsiomkos]

alright i just purchased my 125gallon today and now im trying to put all the parts together

1. i am going to buy two rena xp3... i am curious as to what i should be putting in each tray as i have never used a canister filter.

2. i am definitely doing cichlids i have a jack Dempsey already and am thing of getting a green terror... good or bad????

3. i am going to use bigger rocks to build hiding spots and what not. but what should i use as the base gravel? rocks? sand?

 

[Andrew McFadden]

alright i just purchased my 125gallon today and now im trying to put all the parts together

1. i am going to buy two rena xp3... i am curious as to what i should be putting in each tray as i have never used a canister filter.

2. i am definitely doing cichlids i have a jack Dempsey already and am thing of getting a green terror... good or bad????

3. i am going to use bigger rocks to build hiding spots and what not. but what should i use as the base gravel? rocks? sand?

1: The rena should come with sponges I have the fine ones in the top tray and in the middle I have bio stars,balls or rings then in the bottom sponges aswell.

2: I can't comment on

3: I vote sand

 

[boadams87]

You should try ceramic rings or bio balls. If you do a GT make sure they're the same size. Sand all the way

 

[AngelWings]

I have a 150gal, medium stocked with fish, lightly stocked with plants, and I use a single Rena XP3 with FABULOUS results. Never have nitrites and nitrates hover around 20. I have the medium and fine sponges/foam in the bottom tray, biostars and filter floss in the middle tray, and ChemiPure Elite in the top tray. I do 50% PWC once a week and rinse the filter materials in tank water every other week.

 

[Fedex3d]

I've got a 125g with the gouramis and bala sharks. I went with the black moon sand substrate. I really like the looks of it, but with darker sand you will see more of the fish waste at the bottom. Usaully do a light vacuuming about 3 times a week. With a lighter color you may not see as much at the bottom or with gravel you won't see it at all. And I agree with all the previous posters on using a variety of media in your canister.