Another Filter?

[LeeAberdeen]

I'm setting up a cichlid tank in my 270-litre aquarium as soon as it's cycled and, as I'll be overstocking the tank in the usual cichlid tank way, wondered if I'd need another filter? I already have a powerful Fluval 305, but as there could be up to 20 cichlids in there, I was thinking of adding the best internal filter I could along with the external (I can't work out how to run two externals in my aquarium set up, so a secondary internal seems like the only option). Is this necessary, or superfluous? 

 

[the_lock_man]

I'm assuming you are talking about African cichlids here.
 
As you probably know, the 305 is rated for a 300l tank, so you have a little leeway there, but not a huge amount, so it's a difficult one to call. I would be inclined to test your water every day for about a month after you've got the fish in, and see how well the filter copes with the bioload. If you see readings for ammonia or nitrite, then use a secondary filter, but if you don't, then the filter is coping, and no need to add the second.

 

[bricko]

If you are going African and overstocking then you deffo need an extra bit of filtration.  As the_lock_man stated 305s are rated for 300l tanks but I would take 30% off any ratings to take into consideration the media (most filter ratings are minus media).  There should be no reason why oyu can run 2 extrenals.  I have done this previously on a 24o l bowfront tank and do currently on m 400l.
 
Intake of filter 1 on leftside of tank and outtake spraybar on right - vice versa for filter 2.  The sray bars on mine almost touched in the middle, you do almost get 2 opposite cycles of water but I dont believe this is detrimental.  I have a hydor external heater on one filter and the water mixes well as I dont have any temp variations througout the tank.
 
You other option is to get a decent internal filter, I would assume if you are keeping african cichlids and have a lot of rocks going in the you could direct this at the rock formations to ensure they stay free of detrious.
 
Hope this helps

 

[LeeAberdeen]

I'm assuming you are talking about African cichlids here.
 
As you probably know, the 305 is rated for a 300l tank, so you have a little leeway there, but not a huge amount, so it's a difficult one to call. I would be inclined to test your water every day for about a month after you've got the fish in, and see how well the filter copes with the bioload. If you see readings for ammonia or nitrite, then use a secondary filter, but if you don't, then the filter is coping, and no need to add the second.

 
Sounds like a sensible way to proceed. Thanks. Was minded that way, so will give that a go. I'll be adding the fish in one go when cycled, and a second filter seemed like a good way to avoid the initial spike, especially as there might be 20 new fish going in. But as they'll all be smaller fish (say about 5-7cm), that would initially be an understocking anyway, so maybe the filter will be just fine on its own. Would certainly like to avoid the extra hassle, and electrical wire, of a second filter.

If you are going African and overstocking then you deffo need an extra bit of filtration.  As the_lock_man stated 305s are rated for 300l tanks but I would take 30% off any ratings to take into consideration the media (most filter ratings are minus media).  There should be no reason why oyu can run 2 extrenals.  I have done this previously on a 24o l bowfront tank and do currently on m 400l.
 
Intake of filter 1 on leftside of tank and outtake spraybar on right - vice versa for filter 2.  The sray bars on mine almost touched in the middle, you do almost get 2 opposite cycles of water but I dont believe this is detrimental.  I have a hydor external heater on one filter and the water mixes well as I dont have any temp variations througout the tank.
 
You other option is to get a decent internal filter, I would assume if you are keeping african cichlids and have a lot of rocks going in the you could direct this at the rock formations to ensure they stay free of detrious.
 
Hope this helps

 
Thanks for that. Must say, as a newbie, I didn't understand some of what you said, namely the bit about spray bars. I'm assuming that's some form of attachment which allows connection to a secondary external filter? I don't really want to clutter the tank up any more because there'll be loads of caves going in, so a secondary external is of interest, rather than putting an internal one in. If it's going to be unduly complicated though, I'll just go with the internal.

 

[the_lock_man]

A Spraybar is the long bar with holes that allow the filtered water back into the tank - it means the water re-entering the tank does so across a wider area of the surface of the water, allowing greater oxygen exchange.

 

[LeeAberdeen]

A Spraybar is the long bar with holes that allow the filtered water back into the tank - it means the water re-entering the tank does so across a wider area of the surface of the water, allowing greater oxygen exchange.

 
Thanks. Yeah, Googled it, but not sure how that helps me fit a secondary external filter? Been looking and some of the internal filters are up to 200litres which, as it's only a secondary filter, would be fine. Some of them aren't too bulky, also.

 

[noobgamers]

I'm setting up a cichlid tank in my 270-litre aquarium as soon as it's cycled and, as I'll be overstocking the tank in the usual cichlid tank way, wondered if I'd need another filter? I already have a powerful Fluval 305, but as there could be up to 20 cichlids in there, I was thinking of adding the best internal filter I could along with the external (I can't work out how to run two externals in my aquarium set up, so a secondary internal seems like the only option). Is this necessary, or superfluous? 

when in doubt go safe