Filter Recommendation

[nickc]

I've been having no luck with filters for my 30 gallon cichlid tank. I am probably on my fifth filter in 8 years as they always wear out quickly and pump water with no force. Ive gone through fluvals, eheims, and am now using a marineland.

Can anyone recommend a good filter for a heavily stocked cichlid tank?

(Im most likely upgrading to a 36 gallon bowfront by the way)

 

[Jimmy16]

Ac110

 

[mike dunagan]

Are you using sand?

 

[nickc]

No i'm using a special gravel mix made especially for african cichlids with shells that keeps the ph at a high level

 

[m1ste2tea]

I can't think of why your filters give up on you, I'd say the safest choice would be a canister filter that has the impeller after the filter media, where any impeller damaging particles would be trapped by the media. that being said, make sure that your media is not breaking apart and damaging your impeller.

 

[nickc]

I really wish I knew too. With the current Marineland filter, even if I do a full clean out (new medium, blow out the tubing, even took the head from a brand new one that was supposed to be used for a different tank) it lasts for 2 days max. First comes out full force and then just dies off after a few days

 

[Willz]

Ac110

+1 AC110 is a beast. I have 4 and don't regret a dime I spent.

 

[andy1985]

When you say heavly stock. what is your stock list?

 

[cichlid_ man]

hi do u have any snails they can breack them real quick
and mybee you should make a sump they last for ages

 

[dhardwick]

rena xp 4 the impeller is after the media I have them on all but one of my tanks have snails in one tannk never had any problems