do any of you guys think I should do something with the filtration set-up that I have on the tank? It currently has just a 30 gallon capacity hang-on-back filter with undergravel filtration set up to it. Internal filter, canister filter, etc. and with or without undergravel filter?
NEED HELP! African Cichlids are not looking too good!
- Thread starter Vobs56
- Start date
I would put more filtration on your tank since it's overstocked. Mbuna need a 3 foot tank minimum IMO and that's for dwarfs which you don't have.
The acei will get huge and zebras get pretty big too(for mbuna). Also zebras don't form pairs so I would get more females so the male doesn't end up killing the one you have.
The acei will get huge and zebras get pretty big too(for mbuna). Also zebras don't form pairs so I would get more females so the male doesn't end up killing the one you have.
Blue2Fyre;4234091; said:
Regarding the red zebras, at the end of this whole ordeal (which has been solved thanks to all of you here at mfk, and thank you all a ton!) one of the red zebras has been doing somersaults in the tank. All of the other fish are perfectly fine, swimming, and eating very heartily, but one of the red zebras is missing the majority of his pectoral fins and tail fin. His dorsal fin is also "chewed up a bit" but his pelvic fins are fine. The resulting effect has caused him to do flip end over end in the tank, opposed to swimming naturally. Is it possible that this is due to my mistake or is someone else picking on it? He has been like that for 3 days now but still readily moves around the tank. This is now the only fish that concerns me...
I have found spinning to usually be caused my water quality. I have had missing their tails and still swim normally. Keep the water super clean and it should all grow back. Most likely one of your other fish (possibly the other zebra) has given him quite a beating. You might need to remove him so he can heal fully.
With concerns to the water troubles i am having, I have 2 options for filtration set-ups for the 29. Which should I do? Stay with my current set-up with a 30g capacity h.o.b. filter and an undergravel filter with 2 airstones and an air pump OR combine the same 30g h.o.b. filter with a Marineland H.O.T. Magnum Pro Canister Filter with filtration up to 30 gallons and a flow rate of 250gph. I am able to purchase the canister filter for $40. I'm assuming the 30g hob and the canister...? Also, if I were to go that route with the canister, should I just disassemble the undergravel filter entirely?
zennzzo;4235662; said:
okay, i just wasn't sure cuz I read "The Undergravel Filter Controversy"
http://www.bestfish.com/ug.html
And under the "dual filtration" paragraph they mention something of the UG filter "competing with the canister filter and pulling much of the solid waste into the gravel - out of the reach of the canister." so i wasn't entirely sure on that one...
you can run the UFG's in reverse...put a small powerhead on the lift tubes and flow water under the gravel, pushing debris and ditrus up into the water colum for the canister to filter out...Vobs56;4235673; said:
zennzzo;4235681; said:
Yeah I guess that would work well, but I'm on a limited budget as a college student. I would have to buy new powerheads, etc. Then I might as well opt for a larger canister than the $40 one that I would be getting a deal on...
zennzzo;4235681; said:
in fact, I actually am getting that right now with my set-up. if you look at this diagram: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Undergravel_filter.png
I have the set-up to the left with the air pump and I am assuming you are referring to the one on the right...? Now that I think of it, I have the 2 anubias plants and the 6 amazon swordtail plants, which would make it more beneficial to have the canister to prevent the loss of CO2. Having this UG filter long term may prove detrimental to the health of my plants...
