For the schooling experts

[Richie_ELP]

Canisters are great because they move water through a closed pressurized system, but they are expensive and largely inefficient compared to other types of filters.

Compared to?

 

[buck_wildest]

imo that tank is not overstocked...if he keeps up with water changes!

and some more mechanical filtration would not hurt, and would get some needed water movement in the tank.

 

[Jc1119]

Compared to?

Ac110, emperor280 or 400. Fluval 405 is $199 at petsolutions and moves about 180 gph. Ac100 is $84.99 at the same place and moves more like 400 gph.

I like canisters and I do use them, but I also use hob filters and it's hard to beat them for flow, price and ease of maintenance.

 

[Mr. Rain Cloud]

I like rosalines.

Get yourself a new filter.

For natural, do you use gravel?

I do use gravel with flourite underneath it

 

[Mr. Rain Cloud]

imo that tank is not overstocked...if he keeps up with water changes!

and some more mechanical filtration would not hurt, and would get some needed water movement in the tank.

I currently do around 20% water change per week, is that enough?

 

[kdrun76]

Up that to 50% and you will be better off. The best way to know if you are changing enough water is to monitor your nitrates.

If you can keep them under 20ppm with 20% you are fine. Most of us can't.

 

[Jc1119]

I don't think his tank is overstocked either, but schooling fish IMO look better and act more naturally in larger numbers. Increasing three separate schools could lead to being a bit crowded since all three species are constantly on the move and two of the three get quite large considering the tank size.

 

[jc420]

Who needs a filter anyway right? Just dump your water though a box full of river rocks with a plant and some worms in it... MUMBLE MUMBLE NOM NOM I LIKE PAN CAKES..

 

[Valous]

that might not be enough depends on what your nitrate readings are.

 

[Valous]

I don't think his tank is overstocked either, but schooling fish IMO look better and act more naturally in larger numbers. Increasing three separate schools could lead to being a bit crowded since all three species are constantly on the move and two of the three get quite large considering the tank size.

so keep the Roseline sharks and a couple more, grab some cories for the bottom and ditch the rest. sounds like a great plan to me.