Dovii - Breeding Pair

[Finksburg]

I've been a member here for coming up on 2 years. I've learned a lot from the folks here. I'm currently keeping a 14" Male Midas, that I grew out from about 2". He is an awesome fish and I want to keep him solo forever. Since I started this hobby again 2 years ago, I've been having my eye on Dovii. They seem like a lot of fun. In addition to that, I'm really interested in breeding out cichlids. I know there is no guarantee of success.

I've done some early research and the information can seem all over the place. I figured I'd ask for a fresh perspective and ask a few early questions. The timeline for this is about 12 months.

I know there are a lot of good guides on making sumps on this forum.

1. Am I right in assuming that the most efficient way of filtering a 540g tank is with a sump?
2. Can I build a channel for some plants to remove nitrates out of the water inside the sump?
3. This will be my largest fish tank. Any advice on where to go/what to look for when looking at tanks that size?
4. Does anyone have any good references on automating water changes?
5. What size sump should I be planning for with a 540g? Should I compliment it with a cannister?


I'll have more questions, but this is where I'm at in the process for now.

Thanks in advance!

 

[duanes]

Because filtration and sumps mean different things to different people....there will be many equally effective concepts
I use a 125 gal tank, as a sump for my 185 gal tank. I run the sump almost full, and other than a Porrett foam pad, that covers 1 end , I don't use baffles, I find them physically awkward to pull maintenance around, and are more bother than they are worth
About 1/8th of the 125 is used for mechanical, and biological media, (the Porrett, some bags of rings, and a porous brick)
.
Other than that, the sump is dedicated to 75% plants (terrestrial and aquatic, which I consider the most important part of the system.
To do water changes I open a valve that normally sends water to the sump, sends water outside to the lawn.
When in the states I could do a few hundred gal purge of old water to the lawn from 5 tanks, in 10 minutes (they were all hooked up in a line to one sump).
When the sump was almost dry, I'd turn on the tap that had a line to the sump to refill, maybe another 10 minutes.

 

[Finksburg]

Because filtration and sumps mean different things to different people....there will be many equally effective concepts
I use a 125 gal tank, as a sump for my 185 gal tank. I run the sump almost full, and other than a Porrett foam pad, that covers 1 end , I don't use baffles, I find them physically awkward to pull maintenance around, and are more bother than they are worth
About 1/8th of the 125 is used for mechanical, and biological media, (the Porrett, some bags of rings, and a porous brick)
View attachment 1477564.
Other than that, the sump is dedicated to 75% plants (terrestrial and aquatic, which I consider the most important part of the system.
To do water changes I open a valve that normally sends water to the sump, sends water outside to the lawn.
When in the states I could do a few hundred gal purge of old water to the lawn from 5 tanks, in 10 minutes (they were all hooked up in a line to one sump).
When the sump was almost dry, I'd turn on the tap that had a line to the sump to refill, maybe another 10 minutes.

Thank you much! This is what I was looking for!