Clearer Water in African Cichlid Tank

[CichlidFan]

Re: Clearer Water in African Cichlid Tank

The XP550 is new, it's only be out for a couple weeks now, but I think it does come with the two sponges. That still maybe a bit strong for an average sized tank. I would stay with the 250 or 350 for starters.

CF

[RichardChen]

Re: Clearer Water in African Cichlid Tank

The recommended tank size for EX350 is 60 gal max and EX550 is 80 gal max.  For 120 gal tank I have, I think EX550 is closer to my need.  Somehow I have never used a powerhead so I appreciated your suggestions.  I am more concern about the how EX350 or EX550 look in the tank.  I can't find their dimensions on the internet.  Can anyone give me a rough dimension about these things or even better, if I can see pictures of these filters in action.

[CichlidFan]

Re: Clearer Water in African Cichlid Tank

Do what you need to do buddy, I'm only sharing my opinion's. I haven't tried a 550 yet, but I do know the 350 moves alot of water, so much so, the fish avoid swimming in front of it.

The 550 maybe just the thing for making those lathargic fish, pick up the pace a bit.....

CF

[RichardChen]

Re: Clearer Water in African Cichlid Tank

Hi imagirlgeek

I visit the Our FishHouse website included in your signature.  I saw the picture called "Hallway Entry" has a powerhead with two sponge filters on it.  Is it the Odyssea Internal Filter EX-250 Deluxe?  Is that a 125 gallon tank?  I am trying to picture how the EX550 would look like in my tank.  Please let me know.

[imagirlgeek]

Re: Clearer Water in African Cichlid Tank

Hi Richard,

Yes, that is an Odyssea Internal Filter EX-250 Deluxe with 2 of the sponges on it.  The tank you saw is a 100G, so I think it's about a foot shorter than our 125G.  Another thing I wanted to mention is that the powerheads have a valve to either increase or decrease the flow.  Just something to know.

You may have mentioned it in the thread, but I don't remember what kind of fish you have, other than they are cichlids.  We have some cichlids who like to swim in the current from the powerhead, and others who could care less about it and stay away.  Also, we normally mount the powerheads in a corner, but the canopy and height of the stand on the 100G make it difficult to get into so we trade beauty for ease of use.    

At the end of the day, it's all about the fish, right?  I mean, the fish don't care that you have a hose or powerhead or heater or whatever hanging in the tank as long as it is functioning properly and improving their water quality.  Again, just my opinion.  

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Clearer Water in African Cichlid Tank

I would go with the 550....I had two of the 350's in my 125g for added circulation which put me at about 25x turnover rate.

[RichardChen]

Re: Clearer Water in African Cichlid Tank

Hi EK,
Do you know if the flowrate can be adjusted on EX550 if needed?  The prices between EX350 and EX550 is only $4.00 difference.  Do you use sponges with EX350 powerhead?  Can you adjust the flowrate on EX350?

For the beauty of my tank, I think I should use undergravel filters (just my personal preference.) But considering the digging done by my African cichlids which will degrade the efficiency of the undergravel filtration, undergravel filters also trap waste, which increase nitrate level, and drop the pH value as a consequence, I think I should use powerhead with sponges.  Please let me know if you think differently than me.  I just started learning rasing African cichlids.

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Clearer Water in African Cichlid Tank

I threw all the attachments away on the powerhead so I wouldn't know. Also feel that the sponge/powerhead does not compare to another canister filter especially if you are worried about asthetics. I seriously think you should look into another canister or even a wet/dry.

As for the undergravel....I have a set that I took out of my 6' 135g....it did the job with 3x maxijet 1200's and as long as I did my part with water changes the nitrates never climbed high compared to others that didn't have an ugf. Again another canister would have less pipes then the ugf and be just as if not more efficient in filtration and handling bio-load.