Heavily stocked tank service interval ?

[dawnmarie]

If you have a large , heavily stocked FW tank preferrably around 250 gallons I am looking for feedback on how often you service/clean your filter(s).Would like to know what filter(s), number/type of fish(prefer Cichlids) and how often service is neccessary. Not looking for a flame war or a Ehiem versus Fluval discussion just trying to assemble a database to make a real world comparison not so much by brand as by method.
Thanks in advance for you help.

 

[Bderick67]

At least weekly 50% water changes, increased to every 3 or 4 days if required by nitrate levels. Weekly cleanings of AC110 filters and canisters are cleaned either every month or 2 months depending on the tank and number of canisters.

 

[dawnmarie]

At least weekly 50% water changes, increased to every 3 or 4 days if required by nitrate levels. Weekly cleanings of AC110 filters and canisters are cleaned either every month or 2 months depending on the tank and number of canisters.

What type of fish do you have ?
How big is your tank and what level of Nitrate will you tolerate ?
Thanks