75gl Filtration Advice

[Chiapet29]

I would suggest picking which fish in that tank you couldn't do without or consider a bigger tank.

As for water quality. I have one of the sunsun's on my 30 gallon and I can't see it being enough turnover for a 75 gallon at all. It is rated at 264 gallon per hour but I think they measure those without media and at zero head. This means that if your filter is below the tank and has media in it (were all assuming it does) then you are getting considerably less turnover than that. I would add either a second canister or an aquaclear 110 for starts.

A decent rule of thumb for determining how many gallons per hour you should filter is aiming to turn over all of the water in your tank 5-10 times per hour. I am of the opinion that the manufacturers fudge the turnover rate on the filters to make them seem like they are more powerful so I shoot for 10 times per hour on the turnover. I have a 55 gallon with two aquaclear 110's on it and the current is mild and not crazy at all. The water stays crystal clear.

Get yourself a nice liquid aquarium test kit if you do not have one. You should see what the nitrates are in your tank and because you have crushed coral substrate maybe check the ph. The ph probably isn't messing up your water clarity at all but it might be a tad high for central/south american fish although some of the central american fish come from higher ph bodies of water so you might be just fine.

Thank you, I appreciate the much needed info, I'm looking into getting a better canister, will keep you posted

 

[jaws7777]

Thank you, I appreciate the much needed info, I'm looking into getting a better canister, will keep you posted

You sont have to get a better canister. Just add additional filtration like others have suggested. Ac110 is a good choice.

Really need that liquid test kit to determin if your bio filtration is sufficient

 

[predatorkeeper87]

you need additional filtration, not different. just my .02

 

[ragin_cajun]

Another idea for ya .... go to the fish store, buy a piece of their black plastic type background paper and tape it to back glass (on the outside of the tank). Make it look more "pimp", know what I mean?

I don't know why, but black background on a tank makes it look totally different.

 

[nossalucard]

IMMEDIATE Quickest "temp" solution: Go get you 2-100ml bags(200gallons worth) of prebagged purigen, and put in the TOP basket of your sunsun canister, and cover with blue foam pad. I almost guarantee it will be clear in 2 days.

***Another thing to do in the "interim" is, if you are feeding multiple times per day, maybe cut back to feeding ONCE every other day. It will do WONDERS as it will allow the bacteria to catch up, as you ARE CURRENTLY running very lean on your filtration. I have WAAAY more filtration than I need on all 7 of my tanks, and I still only feed on Tuesdays and Thursdays, offering TREATS (massivore) on the weekends an hour or so before I do my 50% water changes.***


Next best solution(HIGHLY RECOMMENDED): Go Get you an aquaclear 110 HOB filter, and set it up, and put 2 of those same recommended bags purigen INSTEAD in it, between the foam block and the biomax media the Aquaclear comes with. Using the purigen in the Aquaclear will make it easier to get to the purigen when its time to "recharge" it, versus having to open the canister.

BEST SOLUTION: Start preparing for a larger tank of AT LEAST 125gallons or bigger (pref 180 or bigger if you plan to keep all of the stock)

P.S. I love Red Devils/Midevils too, so much in fact I have 3 myself, 1 - 10inch (by himself in a 75 with 2 canisters and 2 Aqueon 75's) and 2 - 6 inch (in a 65 tall with a canister and aquaclear 70) I'm Trying to get a 300gal before summer is over to put them ALL in one tank, with hopes they can all get along...LOL

Hope this helps....

 

[ragin_cajun]

For CA/SA Cichlids -- If you buy the bigger tank--don't get a 125. I have one, I regret it to this day. Get a 180 for the same price. Or a 240. If you have room for a 125, you can do a 180. No reason not to.