Tang community 180 set-up

[JasonC]

Hi guys -

I've been trying to figure out exactly how I want to filter my new 180 in addition to a Lifereef wet/dry and I'm kind of stuck. Here is my current system configuration:

Reef ready aqueon 180 (6x2x2)

Lifereef 300 wetdry: http://www.lifereef.com/frame.html click lifereef products>wet/dry trickle filters. I ordered the LF2 300 which will be pushed by the Blueline 40 HDX

Caribsea Aragamax select sand

JBJ titanium heater and controller: http://www.aquacave.com/jbj-true-tem...stem-2732.html

Custom stand and canopy (Thanks Justin!)

My biggest issue is my supplemental filtration - I can't decide if I should go with a single large eheim such as a 2080, 2260/62 or if I should go with (2) 2217s. These filter(s) will be used as a method to pull gunk from the water column as my overflows will only pull from what's at the surface. I'll probably add a couple of smaller vortechs or some other power head set on a timer to go off a couple of times a day to help get stuff off the bottom and into suspension.

Tang community consists of:
(5) Mobas from RonR - still juvies right now
(2) A. comps
(7) Enantiopus kilesa
(10-15) Cyprochromis
Possibly a featherfin of some sort - depends on if I can make it work with the Enantiopus

Long story short - what direction would you guys go with on the Eheims?

Hows that stock list look? Anything you guys would add or remove?

Thanks!

Jason

[BassTank]

Big canister

[armthehomeless]

I gave RonR some cyps to go with his Mobas. Ask him how it went. (They got eaten)

There are exceptions to every rule . . . but in the wild, frontosa eat cyprichromis.
Although I've known people that have kept calvus/comp with fronts . . .I'd be very wary of this as well.

I'd suggest keeping larger slow-moving cichlids in with your fronts. Benthochromis would be ideal IMO. Foai/furcifer could work. Larger peacocks/haps would do the trickif you want to mix lakes.

This is just my .02 - take it for what it is worth. Let us know what you end up doing and how it turns out.

[JasonC]

The cyps are a temporary item - with the mobas being 1.5-2" I'd planned on having them a year or two then moving them on. Your mention of Benthochromis with the mobas sounds AWESOME! Didn't even think about Benthos but they would fit the bill perfectly as would the foai/furcifer.

do you think the enantiopus would work with the foai/furcifer? What about O. ventralis?

[armthehomeless]

I've have sandsifters in with my foai without issues. Keep in mind that your fronts are going to take up a fair amount of room once mature.

Ventralis get a bit more feisty in my experience.

Kilesa are pretty delicate - I'd be hesitant about putting them in a community tank at all. I have some in a tank with cyps at the top.

[JasonC]

Ended up getting the 2062 - that is a giant canister I am not looking forward to the bill when I fill that thing with media

[RonR.]

Sounds like you are on your way to a great filtration system. I bet that lifereef system is choice!!!!!

Keep us posted.