Ok this rookie is seeking alittle guidence from the almighty gurus of this wonderful forum. I have a 125 tank, two aquatech 60 pump/filters, a pro clear 125 wet/dry. I am considering adding one more aquatech 60 and a magnum 350 for mechanical filtration. Question is will what I have now work for two 20 inch plecos, 16 inch pacu, two 8 inch oscars. I have always raised koi in tanks and have always went over and beyond with filtration with these fish due to there waste production. So its been a long time since Ive tried warm water fish but after spending some time on this website I cant help myself but to give it a go. thanks Caleb
Bio Load too large??
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Wow those are very large fish in a 125g! It will be difficult to keep up on the filtration. If you got rid of 1 pleco and the pacu, it might be more manageable. If you want to try it with this combo I would reccomend adding 2 aquaclear 110's to the mix.
And of course: "Welcome" to the forum!
And of course: "Welcome" to the forum!
Thank you for the welcome and quick response, yea it seems the plecos are really dirty rascals. Do you need one btw, ha.. So I take it reducing the population to be the quick solution. Being the fish lover I am more work isnt a problem either, I had considered two emporer 400's. Never have tried the aquaclears what do you like about them??
Yep, plecos are messy! But they just have kind of a cool prehistoric thing about them, but 2 large 20" plecos in a 125g is overkill. Besides the fact the tank is only 18" wide. I think this is also an uncomfortable situation for the pacu also. These guys really need a bigger tank to thrive. The Oscars should do great in the tank.
The emp 400's are good for bio and the aquaclears are good mechanical filtration. Both are cost effective means of filtration. I personally use canisters in my set up but if I was to add any more filtration I would add the aquaclear 110 for added mechanical cleaning.
How about it, any aquaclear owners out there? Help out a fellow MFK decide on filtration.
The emp 400's are good for bio and the aquaclears are good mechanical filtration. Both are cost effective means of filtration. I personally use canisters in my set up but if I was to add any more filtration I would add the aquaclear 110 for added mechanical cleaning.
How about it, any aquaclear owners out there? Help out a fellow MFK decide on filtration.
Aquaclears kick ***! I have two on my 125 and they work great.
On a side note, get rid of the plecos and pacu. The plecos can barely turn around I'm sure, and the pacu will soon be in the same situation.
On a side note, get rid of the plecos and pacu. The plecos can barely turn around I'm sure, and the pacu will soon be in the same situation.
Adding filters won't make up for the need for water changes. People keep posting that adding more filters will allow you to keep more fish in a tank. The main benefit of filters is to house bacteria for the nitrogen cycle conversion. However, gravel substrate provides a good portion of housing for BB. I have run tanks with nothing but gravel and power heads (no filters).
Keep in mine that solid waste is only a small percent of the ammonia generating source in your tank. Fish gills and urine make up the vast majority. Only way to eliminate the high-quantity of nitrate generated by all that ammonia is through water changes.
I would even suggest you eliminate a filter and replace it with two power heads. You would reduce your solid waste bio-load more effectively by vacuuming the waste off the top of the gravel each week during a water change than letting the waste sit for weeks, and for some; months, trapped inside a filter.
Bottom line is that you can only keep the fish you mentioned if you are willing (and able) to perform the necessary water change regime needed to maintain nitrates at a reasonable level.
Keep in mine that solid waste is only a small percent of the ammonia generating source in your tank. Fish gills and urine make up the vast majority. Only way to eliminate the high-quantity of nitrate generated by all that ammonia is through water changes.
I would even suggest you eliminate a filter and replace it with two power heads. You would reduce your solid waste bio-load more effectively by vacuuming the waste off the top of the gravel each week during a water change than letting the waste sit for weeks, and for some; months, trapped inside a filter.
Bottom line is that you can only keep the fish you mentioned if you are willing (and able) to perform the necessary water change regime needed to maintain nitrates at a reasonable level.
Perfect info guys, I was hoping the proclear wet/dry would aid in some of the ammonia production issues, but I had no clue gills had such an affect good info for sure. I think Ill try the AC's because Im thinking the proclear should handle the bio load and really Im just left with mechanical. I think a magnum 350 would help also. So, guess I need to unload a pleco and a pacu any body feel like driving to Valdese?? ha
) the wife will be excited haha
vfc;3894888; said:
Agreed.... if you have 0 amonia and 0 nitrates then adding another filter would be pointless and a waste of cash. The bacteria only breaks those two down to nirties . Then water changes remove the nitrites. No filter will fix nitries... So if your nitiries are to high , your overfeeding , overstocked , not enough water changes ....