Basic fahaka question

[BullyBee]

Hey now. I plan on getting a fahaka in a few month once my Axolotl larvae/babies grow.
I am getting my tank and all my equipment though starting next week with a 120g tank. Then move onto filtration etc.

my question is this:

I have been told by two different LFS’s I trust that even though a fahaka has a huge bio load, it’s only one fish...so going nuts with bio media (I tend to go nuts with how much I use and they know it) is not something I really have to do.

I was also told mechanical filtration isn’t a huge factor because for the most part they don’t make a mess. I fact one of the guys has a fahaka puffer and said he probably won’t have to touch his filter for a long time because it’s not as messy as having a fully stocked tank.

I was just wondering your thoughts on this. This is the difference between having a single fx6, two heaters and a light vs having multiple canister filters and a bit more complicated set up, hell even possibly a sump

thanks in advance

 

[TwoHedWlf]

That advice seems to be at odds with what I've always heard, that they have a huge bioload and are very messy. And they get to 1-1.5 feet. That's a big jump from just having a few axolotls.

 

[BullyBee]

I have one 90 planted gallon (co2 etc), one 32 for axolotls (using a chiller) one 25 cube planted (Co2 etc) and am now doing a 120.

But that is what I’m saying it does seem at odds with everything I have read.

 

[Fat Homer]

Gotta rush out right now but in short, imo you can never have too much filtration, as puffers can be messy eaters (depending whats fed) and fully grown can produce a fair amount of waste...

also, the only way to tell is by really monitoring parameters whether your filtration/ water change schedule is up to par...

 

[twentyleagues]

Well mine is still pretty small, it eats mostly snails and hard pellets. He is extremely messy. Bioload wise it's been good so far. If you can find something that will be small and eat the little bits that the fahaka will allow in the tank with it it may benefit you with the bits and some of the mess. Mine pretty much will not cohabitate with anything else.