Stocking Advice

[Thomas and Jennifer]

We just bought a 90 gallon tank from Andy at Fishland! It is really nice, with a beautiful stand and canopy. This will be my first cichlid tank and wanted to make sure my plan made sense.

Hardware: 90 gallon Marineland (4' x 18") with 200w inline heater, Eheim 2215
Hardscape: black lava rock with argonite substrate
Livestock:

Metriaclima callainos	4
Pseudotropheus saulosi	10
Labidochromis caeruleus	8
Metriaclima estherae	8
Pseudotropheus acei	4
Pseudotropheus socolofi	1

Is that enough/too many fish? I know the labs and zebras will cross bred, but I do not intend to raise the fry (in other words, let them be eaten). Comments are welcome!!

[gambs]

In my opinion I think you will need more filtration with that many africans. I have 20 in a 135 with a 2217, sump, and xp3

[beto]

Upgrade to a 2250/2260 or add a 2217

[Thomas and Jennifer]

so you are suggesting a 2215 and a 2217? I guess it is stocked twice what should be in the tank. I was using the cookie cutter set ups from Cichlid Forum as a guide.

[gambs]

I would add the 2217 and keep the 2215 as well.

[beto]

having the two eheims, you can also alternate the filter cleaning schedule

[Thomas and Jennifer]

Alright...two new 2217's are on order!

Now...how is the best way to drain and fill a large tank? I saw someone make a carbon canister with activated charcoal filters from HD. Use that to fill from a faucet? And the drain, just use a siphon? Buy some white RV hose for fill/drain?

[Austy16414]

They make pythons (gravel cleaners) with a long tube for draining and filling that you just hook to the sink, works well and pretty cost efficient. Long run I would do a catalytic carbon filter for refills with an rv hose. It'll remove chlorine compounds, which will reduce the amount of conditioner needed, as well as give you peace of mind in doing water changes after heavy rains and such

[Austy16414]

Prostreetcamaro and I made a couple for about $30, plus the carbon ($40) and they work wonders. There's a lot of good designs on here

[Thomas and Jennifer]

Is a python worth it? $80 seems like a lot!

I was thinking something like what hungvanvo made a while back for a carbon bottle. Seems easy enough and less of a hassle than tons of chemicals.

[Austy16414]

If you're handy, I would definitely use Hung Vo's design. His is hardcore. You could always just skip the python, or just find a used one for cheap. They're good for cleaning your gravel and sand

[Austy16414]

If you buy a hose with a large width, like 1", you'll be able to drain a lot faster

[Thomas and Jennifer]

Could I use the discharge on a canister to push water out? I'm thinking a few valves and redirect the flow from the spray bar to the sink. It seems to simple for someone to not have thought of it. Too many very very cleaver people here for that one!

[Thomas and Jennifer]

Add a few more Tees and the pump discharge can act as a pump to pull water from the tank an a siphon cleaner. Hmmm...

[Austy16414]

Absolutley. The only thing is you'd have to T it up on the output hose, or remove all your media if you're just gonna go through the canister. Otherwise, all the crap you vacuum out will get caught in your media