How to improve mechanical filtration on 55 with two emperor 350s

[Oscarum monstruoso]

Allrighty, I have a 55 that houses my 7 inch kamfa and 4 inch blood parrot. I have two 350s fully loaded. I also have an AC powerhead with a biomax cartridge and a big (for 125 gallon tanks) sponge filter. The problem is I have to vacuum poop every other day because the kamfa is a big eater. The filters turn over a lot of water, the powerhead pulls through about a cups worth of biomax and the sponge is running as well.

Currently the powerhead is at the top left of the aquarium shooting straight across the top, I have thought about repositioning it so the flow hits the bottom but Id rather not move it but if thats my best option I will. Other than agitating the bottom with the powerhead what are my other options? How big a problem is poop? If the tank is well filtered (which I think mine is, but am I wrong?) can it handle it?

 

[aclockworkorange]

Even if you manage to get the poop in to your filters where it's out of sight, the poop is still there. It doesn't just magically disappear (it will break down a bit eventually but there's really not much difference).

Mechanical filtration is primarily for the fishkeeper's benefit, not the fish.

Your choice is either to create enough current or additional filtration so that the waste in the tank is drawn in to your filters (which will need to be cleaned at some point), or to clean it out like you've been doing.

 

[Oscarum monstruoso]

Even if you manage to get the poop in to your filters where it's out of sight, the poop is still there. It doesn't just magically disappear (it will break down a bit eventually but there's really not much difference).

Mechanical filtration is primarily for the fishkeeper's benefit, not the fish.

Your choice is either to create enough current or additional filtration so that the waste in the tank is drawn in to your filters (which will need to be cleaned at some point), or to clean it out like you've been doing.

Thanks. I guess Ill just keep vacuuming it up in that case.

 

[Redearsunfish]

physical removal, or put a power head on the bottom.

 

[ziggy2]

Yeah, I would move the powerhead.