New Tank and Equipment Suggestions

[soccerstud652]

I am looking to transfer my African Chichlids to a bigger tank, around 55 gallons. I wanted to know what type of tank you suggest, I was thinking of a TopFin they had at PetSmart. I am going to use a Rena Air Pump and a Visitherm Heater. What type of filter is the best I can get, I don't care how much it costs because I have learned if you get the best, it pays off in the long run.

 

[Toirtis]

For filter, I would suggest one of the following:

Eheim (classic canister series)

Rena Filstar XP3

AquaClear 500

 

[Fishyfanatic]

The TopFin sounds fine.

Filter wise, I am in love with my Cascade 1000. I had it on my 55 gal and transfered it over to the 150 gal and bought another Cascade to pick up the slack. Here's a link to it from Big Al's.

http://www.bigalsonline.com/catalog/product.xml?product_id=22583;category_id=1711;pcid1=2885;pcid2=

It is for up to 100 gal, but it is best to overfilter a Cichlid tank. IMO, I wouldn't use anything less. Cichlids are very messy fish and can cause your water quality to be very poor if you don't have the proper filtration.

 

[Fishyfanatic]

Also, when you buy the canister, be sure to also buy Ceramic rings (or something similar) and use in place of the carbon. It holds more bacteria than carbon.

 

[bluoval1]

I would go with an Eheim filter. I have a Fluval 404 on my 125 and it does a great job BUT it is a pain in the backside seating area to get going after I clean it up. The Eheim I had on my 75 was a great filter and was easy to get going. An Eheim 2215 would be fine for your 55, overfilter it with a 2217 and you will be quite happy. By overfiltering it you reduce your filter maintenance as well.

 

[soccerstud652]

How do u overfilter it?

 

[chasgood]

I think he means having extra capacity rather than just enough. Not a bad idea with messy fish.

 

[Fishyfanatic]

Overfiltering would be like putting a filter that is made for a 100 gal tank on a 55 gal tank. Which is what I did on my African Cichlid tank beacuse they are MESSY fish. Some fish, like Bettas and Angels, can not tolerate the excess current.