Filter help

[king steve]

Hello all!!

I come to this site looking for some help and to gain some knowledge. I have been enjoying the hobby of fish tanks for over ten years now. I recently upgraded my tank about a year ago from a 55 gallon south African tank to a 90 gallon African Cichlid tank. When I start the tank all of my fish were no larger then two inches. Now I have over 20 fish ranging from 2" to 5". There has been a lot of breeding going on in my tank so I am unsure exactly how many fish I have now. I also have three placo's two which are about 6" and one that is about 12". I am having trouble with filtration. I am currently running a Rena XP3 canister filter and a Marineland 350 power filter. These two filters do not seem to be doing the job anymore. I always have things floating around in the tank now. The canister filter looked like crap after 10 days after the filter change. PLEASE HELP!!!

 

[hdultra]

I would recommended the Hagen Fluval FX5. It will give you plenty of filtration. I'll link The Fluval FX5 - Complete Aquarium Filtration to 400 Gallons!

I would also use in conjunction of what you have. I'm running the 405 and two marineland 280's.

 

[king steve]

Thanks that is the filter I have thinking about. It is an expensive filter so I just wanted to make sure it was my best option and not going to be over kill

 

[hdultra]

Thanks that is the filter I have thinking about. It is an expensive filter so I just wanted to make sure it was my best option and not going to be over kill

Shop around there are sales all over the place for them. I saw them in the mid 200's.

 

[melosu58]

Moved to General Hardware and equipment discussion.

 

[toddnbecka]

Have you considered an Aquaclear 110 hob filter? Much easier to clean/maintain than a canister, and pumps 500 gph for a lot less $$ than the FX5.
If you do want an FX5 you can find them on e-bay for a little over $200 shipped...

 

[king steve]

My FX5 has been ordered and should be here on Tuesday. I was planing on running the new filters with the old filters for a about a week so the biological environment could build up.in the new filter. Is this a good idea???

 

[toddnbecka]

You'll need to run them all together for at least 2-3 weeks unless you put most of the media from the old ones into the new filter.

 

[hdultra]

You'll need to run them all together for at least 2-3 weeks unless you put most of the media from the old ones into the new filter.

Yes I agree. It will take while for the new one to develop the bacteria.

 

[king steve]

Thanks for the advice. I will continue to run my old filters with the new one for three weeks.

 

[king steve]

Hooked up fx5 last night. Tank looked great this morning. Besides the purge valve being damaged on arrival I am very happy with it thus far. Fluval will be shipping me out a new valve this week at no charge

 

[hdultra]

Hooked up fx5 last night. Tank looked great this morning. Besides the purge valve being damaged on arrival I am very happy with it thus far. Fluval will be shipping me out a new valve this week at no charge

That's cool, I got both of mine today. Did yours come with media.

 

[king steve]

It.only came with the foam media. I added Bio Max, pre filter, and Zeo Carb. My only problem is I was not sure of how much of each to add. I bought one box of each and used it all and still have room to add extra

 

[hdultra]

Yes they lack direction on how much of what media to pit in.

I bought the pre filter, Bio max, Polishing Pads, Carbon.

I'll have to look to see what is recommended. I know you can add different types into one basket.

 

[hdultra]

It.only came with the foam media. I added Bio Max, pre filter, and Zeo Carb. My only problem is I was not sure of how much of each to add. I bought one box of each and used it all and still have room to add extra

Look at This site

http://www.marineandreef.com/Hagen_FX5_Hagen_FX5_Media_Hagen_FX5_Canister_Filter_Media_s/228.htm

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=224628&sid=b213f99bcd54158c8085f6cfd8944d66

 

[king steve]

Thanks for the useful information. I don't know how comfortable I am using pillow stuffing as filter media due to possible impurities

 

[hdultra]

Thanks for the useful information. I don't know how comfortable I am using pillow stuffing as filter media due to possible impurities

Me neither, I'll stick with the fluval line myself.

 

[toddnbecka]

As long as it's polyester fiber that hasn't been treated to be flame retardent the only difference between pillow stuffing and filter floss is the packaging and price.