75 gal filtration media???

[Gordinho80]

I will be running my 75 gal with either 2 Fluval 404s or 1 fluval and 1 aqua clear 500...which set up would be best for African Cichlids?

what media should i use for the best set up? currently, the AC500 has a sponge, carbon media, and amonia media...the fluvals have nothing yet...

thanks...
Mario

[docrak]

I have a 60-gallon tank with a canister filter and an Aqua-Clear 500. I almost never clean the canisters filter, but clean the AC500 about every 2 to 3 weeks. Use the carbon to start the tank, and don’t use it unless you need to remove some toxins, like medication. Get rid of the ammonia absorbing stuff, that’s got bad Mo-Jo and is just evil.

Just my two cents, to much filtration is never a bad thing. I also run a Hot Magnum filter ever once and a while with a Micron filter to polish the water, makes it ultra clear. I used to run it all the time but I hate cleaning the filter medium and that stuff costs a fortune.

[Gordinho80]

thanks for the reply, what media should i purchase for my canister filter? i had heard that crushed coral in a media bag will buffer the water and keep the pH at a nice level...

i received the 404s bare...

[docrak]

Originally Posted by Gordinho80

thanks for the reply, what media should i purchase for my canister filter? i had heard that crushed coral in a media bag will buffer the water and keep the pH at a nice level...

i received the 404s bare...

I have no idea, I run an Ehiem. I use some media for mechanical filtration and some bio media, that is. The Ehiem I use only has two trays, keeps things simple. My recomendation is not to go with anything more fancy than the two types of media mentioned above until you determine how the tank will act. I've never really had a problem with pH, why are you worried, are you having pH problems with your other tanks?

[Gordinho80]

not having problems with pH, just know that Cichlids prefer i higher pH then normal...some cichlid keepers actually use the crushed coral as a substrate...i went with pool filter sand...

[docrak]

Originally Posted by Gordinho80

not having problems with pH, just know that Cichlids prefer i higher pH then normal...some cichlid keepers actually use the crushed coral as a substrate...i went with pool filter sand...

Sorry, forgot about that. I haven't kept Africans in a long time. From what I understod back then most people controled their pH through thier substrate, not filter media. I don't know, things may have changed. Personally I wouldn't put anything in a canister filter you wouldn't want to keep in there for months at a time.

[Fishyfanatic]

We are also using pool filter sand as a substrate and have crushed coral in the canister filters. It helped increase our pH to 7.8 (out of tap is 7.0). I just put about 3 cups in a bio-bag and put it in the middle compartment of the unit. It can stay in there for quite a while. We've had it for about 4 months now without any problems. I have heard that you can keep it in for about 6 months before you need to replace it. From what I have been told, the crushed coral is only really useful as a substrate if you use a UGF. That's why we decided to use it in the canister. Plus, it's easy to take out and replace. I'd recommend using it in the canister unit. I personally don't have a Fluval, we use Cascade's so I'm not sure exactly where in the unit the bag needs to be placed, but it needs to be in the middle compartment. We are using filter floss, filter pads, activated carbon (which will be replaced with ceramic things, I can't remember exactly what they are called), and then the crushed coral.

[Gordinho80]

sounds like a good set up Fishy...the Fluvals have 4 baskets for media and one wall for sponges...the water flows through the sponges first then through the 4 baskets...i was thinking doing the ceramic rings in one, crushed coral in one, floss in another...this leaves me with one empty basket...should i leave it empty or double up on one of the other filtrations? i might just delete the AC500 all together and place it in another tank, seeing as the fluval is designed for up to 100 gal...

[Fishyfanatic]

You can NEVER over filter. I would recommend staying with the Fluva, even though it filters up to 100 gal. Our Cascade 1000 filtered up to 100 gal and we used it on the 55 and the water was crystal clear. With Cichlids you will want to over filter anyways.

Ceramic rings, that's what we have. I knew it was Ceramic something and I was too lazy to go downstairs and look.

You could use extra filter floss if your water clearness is looking iffy or maybe extra ceramic rings. I'm not sure what your pH is out of the tap, but if it's very low, maybe extra crushed coral. Activated Carbon really won't do anything for you unless you are removing meds, so I wouldn't put that in there. The choice is really yours. I mean, it will pretty much be a situational thing. If your water is kind of cloudy, fill it with floss. If its crystal clear, maybe add some more ceramic rings. If the pH increased but it is still pretty low for Cichlids, add some crushed coral. If I were you, I'd leave the extra basket empty until you let it run for a while. That way you can customize it to what you need.

[Gordinho80]

sounds good to me...thanks very much...i will be picking this stuff up tomorrow hopefully...do places like petsmart and petco sell fluval parts? the 2 that i received were not complete, i have enough to get one running but i need some more pieces...

thanks again all...

[mattrox]

I use a fluval and use Ceramic noodles BioMax (see link) I run some filter floss in between and change it every couple of months. I think the biomax makes sence for a cichlid tank.

http://www.aquaria.com.au/catalog/pr...oducts_id/5788

http://www.aquaria.com.au/catalog/pr...oducts_id/5380

Snip for Fishyfanatic "If I were you, I'd leave the extra basket empty until you let it run for a while. That way you can customize it to what you need."

I agree. I'd run Ceramic noodles, fliter floss, empty then Biomax.

With the AC just run an extra sponge rather than carbon.

[Gordinho80]

so should i not be running the crushed coral?

thanks...

[Fishyfanatic]

What's your present pH?

[mattrox]

Unless you know you have very soft or very acid water, the fish will be fine without crushed coral.

You could put it in from the start, but find out what your water from the tap contains. Ie pH and GH and KH. If you have a high KH then there is no point adding crushed coral as it will raise KH.