fishtankfactory;1337803; said:
here...easiest way is use regular peat moss and nylons for bags:
click here for more info
**Suggestions for Peacock Bass Set-up?** Thx
- Thread starter fishtankfactory
- Start date
here...easiest way is use regular peat moss and nylons for bags:
click here for more info
fishtankfactory;1337845; said:
black-Just my opinion, blue is better for saltwaterfish as it simulates ocean backdrop...black adds depth to the tanks look and also is good in bringing out the fishes color.
a sump system is best, but if you do not have experience in using an overflow or sump set-up stay away untill you gain some experience with one or you could flood your housefishtankfactory;1337850; said:
best canister IMO is an FX-5 by fluval, it is more expensive than most,but is huge and can handle alot of bioload and filter a 150gal easily,plus you have alot of room in it to mix different filter media if you want to or use it as a large bio-filter like a sump system....also make sure you have a good heater...cichla temps should be kept between 85*-86*F ...if your heater fails you can lose your fish...especially to ICH as cichla are very prone to it when the temp is below what they are comfortable in.I use stealth submersable heaters in all my tanks as I have never had one fail and they are shatterproof.
fishtankfactory;1337876; said:
They are ok..I have 2,but I hate the blue intake pipe (looks like $hit)and I really havent ran them long enough to judge their reliability in the long term..I run my xp4s on a 90gal and a 70gal tank.....never go by the specs they give you on a filter ie gph as that is in ideal empty running...once the filter is filled with media and runs for about a week you can cut that number in half...so a filter that says it runs 300gph...in all reality will be significantly lower after running for about a week...for that reason I always filter higher than the reccomended tank size stated on canister filters...even moreso if you are dealing with predatory fish with a heavy bioload output....always go overkill on filtration as its better than not filtering enough......but back to your ?...xp4 is OK..but has its flaws and drawbacks for me personally...dislike the color of the intake(gotta look at it everyday and is an eyesore)...the output is only adjustable side to side and not downward where you really should have it to stir up debris, the spraybar is junk and when above the waterlevel adds a priming problem to restarting the filter and removing air from it.
good things: its very quiet...easy to clean..and has a decent amount of room for media with no bypass.
any substrate will work.
i dont use any additives for my fish.
and my pbass are doing fine.
any fish thats big enough to get eaten and any fish that wont kill or eat the pbass works.
although you could always use blackwater extract for your tank.
and add peat into the filter.
i dont use any additives for my fish.
and my pbass are doing fine.
any fish thats big enough to get eaten and any fish that wont kill or eat the pbass works.
although you could always use blackwater extract for your tank.
and add peat into the filter.
Carbon doesn't take the effectiveness of the peat does it? Also, as far as peat, I went to Petsmart and all they have is regular peat moss for reptiles, is this what I would use, or do you know a recommended brand?
btw, I put more plants in the tank and a few floater plants to block the light, and they love it!
I bought 2 P. bass one and a half years ago at 5" long and in 8 months they grew to one foot in a 150 72x18x28. Thet would eat every thing, worms. cocktail shrimp, silverslides and maybe leftovers if you want. They sure were hardy fish but were getting to big for my tank as they would go after smaller fish and tear themselves up on the rocks trying to get to them. As for the ph level I am on well water where I live and it come out of the tap at 7.2 and never had problems with fish dying or disease over the years, used peagravel from home depot and worked just fine, but always did plenty of water changes.
