Hi guys, I currently have a 5feet 120g hap tank running on an fx6 (packed with matrix in 2 tray and sponge on top) with a sump (dc return pump up to 1040gph) and a jebao cp40(aka cp120, delivery up to 4000gph)
There are currently 32 inhabitants in this tank, ranging from 4~8 inches
We all know African cichlids are poop machines, and in order to get the debris suspended and get filter out efficiently, I kept my filter on full power all the time and put the powerhead on about 2000gph on random slow-wave mode.
Due to the nature of the setup, there are no deathsopt in the tank, all inhabitants have to always swim against some level of current no matter where they are. But it keeps the tank spotless. I have absolutely no need to do any gravel vac.
But recently after a visit, someone suggested to me that I have too much flow constantly because the fishes are always swimming against the current and not playful enough(? I don't get this since they are open water fish, I thought all they do is swim in the middle water column of the tank)and it is stressing my fish.
But if I dialled down the powerhead, I started to see debris collecting on/around the rockscape.
My question is do hap really get stressed with constant flow and if so how much flow is considered too much
Any educated advice and idea on keeping the balance between having and clean tank while keeping stress low are also appreciated
Thanks
There are currently 32 inhabitants in this tank, ranging from 4~8 inches
We all know African cichlids are poop machines, and in order to get the debris suspended and get filter out efficiently, I kept my filter on full power all the time and put the powerhead on about 2000gph on random slow-wave mode.
Due to the nature of the setup, there are no deathsopt in the tank, all inhabitants have to always swim against some level of current no matter where they are. But it keeps the tank spotless. I have absolutely no need to do any gravel vac.
But recently after a visit, someone suggested to me that I have too much flow constantly because the fishes are always swimming against the current and not playful enough(? I don't get this since they are open water fish, I thought all they do is swim in the middle water column of the tank)and it is stressing my fish.
But if I dialled down the powerhead, I started to see debris collecting on/around the rockscape.
My question is do hap really get stressed with constant flow and if so how much flow is considered too much
Any educated advice and idea on keeping the balance between having and clean tank while keeping stress low are also appreciated
Thanks