poop problem :(

[smjack]

I will make this message short because I had brain surgery which led to aphasia > language problem.

180 Gallon. I have a big overhead filter. pumps is 1700 liter / hour.

Cut a section of the aquarium / 6 inch and / made an internal filter. 2500 liter / hour.

Thouse filter are filled with 5 layer of polyfill and lots of ceramic rings.

The problems is the poop. I want it clean and it is baretank. I have 3 red severums. 1 rotkiels and 1 temporalis chocolate cichlid all sub adults. I would assume that my pumps would clear the mess and that I will just wash the polyfill every week. Not the case.

I don't overfeed. 1 minute the bulk of feeding is given. 2nd minutes they deal with they leftovers. Feeding is given 2x a day due to cold weather in Philippines.

Can anyone help with the poop problem?

 

[Alexxxxsv14]

Get a wavemaker and point it down towards bottoms of tank and and airstone to help debree push up towards your filter intakes. I do weekly water changes bc I hate seeing poop on my sand

 

[Stanzzzz7]

+1 on above, place a power head near the bottom of the tank so the poop can't settle.This will help make the mess find its way to the filter intake.

 

[Stanzzzz7]

You can keep a tank just as clean with a substrate.Digging is part of a cichlids natural behaviour so they should be allowed to do so.
It also has the advantage of any unsightly poop won't show up as much.

 

[smjack]

Thank you every for the replies. Stanz and Alexx. I forget this is a baretank. And yes, the poop does stand out. I had blacksand and poolsand ( white) . I had to elevate to pumps from the bottom to the medium level. The sands might get caught in the impeller.

Unfortunately no more digging for the cichlids which I feel should me normal for every cichlids. Again poop still on the tank.

I have black sand , white sand, pea gravel and currently the barebottom driftwood look.

I have airstones. If i use a wavemaker, how much korolia should I use? liter per hours. Won't the severums get dizzy from the currents ?

I will convert it because all I get are china made brands. Thank you much much

 

[Stanzzzz7]

I must say I have always used sand as a substrate,along with power heads and external filters.I have never had a problem with it causing blockages.
The only drawback with sand is it can scratch glass.

 

[smjack]

how many wavemaker should I use? 1 or 2? liter per hours. Won't the severums get dizzy from the currents ?

 

[Stanzzzz7]

Just a gentle current is all that's required. Fish mess is quite light and will be moved without too strong a flow. You can get power heads that you can adjust the flow rate on to suit your requirements.
The fish will probably enjoy a gentle flow through the tank.

 

[smjack]

We have a sunsun wavemaker here. Didn't know you sell them there. some are duds and some are ok. What can you expect. No warranties.


https://www.amazon.com/SunSun-JVP-110-528-GPH-Wavemaker-Pumps/dp/B00CFW82PG

Might try to pcs. as those parrots don't seem to mind .... Thank you very much.

 

[markstrimaran]

If you ever get a sump, a full length return. Work s great and provides very gentle water movement.