Will this filtration be enough for my new tank?

[terd ferguson]

I've posted this question in the setup forum, but since it's african specific, I thought I might post it here as well to get responses more specific to my preferred fishes.

I''ve had a 54 corner tank for a year now with a bunch of africans. I love them so much, I started scouring craigslist for a deal on another tank. Well, along comes a used 55 long with a nearly new Emperor 280 bio wheel hang off. Now, at first, I started with too much enthusiasm and not enough knowledge. I am, and have been learning. If money were no object, I know exactly what kind of setup to run (we all have our dream tanks set up in our minds).

So, onto my question...

I want to put around 20 africans in this 55 long. I plan to have the same kind of maintenance/feeding for the new 55 as in my 54 corner. That is, light feeding twice a day and a 20% water change once a week. Will the Emperor 280 be enough to handle this? The 280 is rated at 50 gallons and after rocks, gravel, wood, plants, fish, etc., I'm sure my capacity will be 50 or less.

If this is not enough, how about another 280? Also, the 280 with bio wheel was run for about 3 months by the previous owner, but has been dry for a couple of months. I've got 5 tetras and a gourami to go in the tank to get it started (if it needs to be cycled again). Will the biowheel's bacteria have been killed by the dry spell? Will I need to cycle it again for a month or so with the tetras or will I need a new biowheel and start over?

Thanks in advance for any and all help and/or suggestions. And thanks for this great forum.

 

[ikevi]

Well first off, what actual africans are you planning on getting? smaller afra's medium zebras, of peacocks/haps.. IE 20 3 inch fish will do a lot different than 20 6-8 inch fish. (And of course one wouldn't really suggest anything larger than 6 inches in a 55.)

Anyways I will say why not just get an Aquaclear 110, and put in some more bio media instead of the charcoal. I honestly wouldn't suggest the 280 as your soul filter. (IE with cichlids the rule of thumb is usually twice the filterage suggest for the tank at least.)

And yes the biowheel is dead, and you will have to do a cycle like you said. the bacteria will grow and such on there own so you wont have to put in more, you just have to give it time to cycle (for best time saving, put half of the water in the 54 into the 55, and grab some of its filter media to jump start the filter in the 55). It really shouldn't take more than a week that way, likely less just watch water parameters (nitrates, ammonia and such).

There is a ton more one can say on the issue but there is a ton of advice already out there.

 

[terd ferguson]

Well first off, what actual africans are you planning on getting? smaller afra's medium zebras, of peacocks/haps.. IE 20 3 inch fish will do a lot different than 20 6-8 inch fish. (And of course one wouldn't really suggest anything larger than 6 inches in a 55.)

Anyways I will say why not just get an Aquaclear 110, and put in some more bio media instead of the charcoal. I honestly wouldn't suggest the 280 as your soul filter. (IE with cichlids the rule of thumb is usually twice the filterage suggest for the tank at least.)

And yes the biowheel is dead, and you will have to do a cycle like you said. the bacteria will grow and such on there own so you wont have to put in more, you just have to give it time to cycle (for best time saving, put half of the water in the 54 into the 55, and grab some of its filter media to jump start the filter in the 55). It really shouldn't take more than a week that way, likely less just watch water parameters (nitrates, ammonia and such).

There is a ton more one can say on the issue but there is a ton of advice already out there.

I'm just trying to use what I have, if it's possible. I don't want to spend a lot more money if I don't have to. With that said, and in the spirit of monster fish keepers, the bigger the better ( I guess that goes for fish as well as filtration).

As to the Auquaclear 110, they're around $60. I'd rather buy another Emperor 280 or 400 to add to the already present 280 at a cost of less than $40 (if they'll do the job, that is).

And thanks for the tip of using the water from my old tank. I never thought of that.

 

[ikevi]

Yah, I understand the cost side of things, but honestly if you decide to buy a better filter just get the AC 110. Trust me it is the way to go. You don't have to buy new filter media so it will be cheaper in the long run. (IE you just clean out the sponge with old tank water.) And it is only 10 bucks more than the emperor 400 with 100 more gph. Anyways you will quickly find out if you need a stronger filter if you watch your water parameters. And good luck.

 

[terd ferguson]

Yah, I understand the cost side of things, but honestly if you decide to buy a better filter just get the AC 110. Trust me it is the way to go. You don't have to buy new filter media so it will be cheaper in the long run. (IE you just clean out the sponge with old tank water.) And it is only 10 bucks more than the emperor 400 with 100 more gph. Anyways you will quickly find out if you need a stronger filter if you watch your water parameters. And good luck.

Well, when you put it that way, it makes a whole lot more sense to get the AC 110. After all, I could sell the Emperor 280 to offset the cost of the AC 110. I will do some more research on the AC 110 (I just don't know that much about them), but it sounds very promising. I'm still relatively new to this hobby and am learning all the time. Thanks very much.

 

[fish head )'>]

AC110 is a work horse. Probably the biggest "bang for your buck" filter. If you have any doubts, do a search on this forum regarding filters.

 

[mike dunagan]

I use a 110 to clean my turtle tank and I have three red earsliders, I only remember to clean the tank because the students get bored... It never smells or looks dirty...