Cichlid Advice - Missing His Tail! My Filter Died A Month Ago Whic

[electric yellow]

I use to have an internal filter going aswell as an external one but took it out a couple of months ago because it was an eye sore. But if i got more plants i could hide it better.

My readings before a water change today:

ammonia 0.25ppm
nitrIte 1.0-2.0ppm
nitrAte 20-40ppm

So still high...

Readings after morning 30% water change as instructed and 14hrs of filtration...

ammonia 0.25ppm
nitrIte 0.5-1.0ppm
nitrAte 1.0ppm


SO its come down a little bit....

Should I do another water change tomorrow or leave it a day or so?

 

[WILDER]

I would do another water change today as the filter not coping with the fish load.
I know its a pain but it has to be done.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

Thanks Wiggles (thanks for always coming to my help to Wilder)

Really?

Thats the filter it came with...

This is what it says about it...

Aqua One CF1000
Water turnover: 1000Lph
* Filter media capacity: 6.5 litres in 2 baskets
* Media included: ceramic noodles, coarse bio-sponge, fine poly pad
* Max distance below water level: 1.8m
* Power consumption: 20.5W
* Filter dimensions: 22.5cmx22.5cmx43cm including taps
* Impellor Shaft: ceramic
* Suitable for freshwater aquariums of 150 to 300 litres, marine of up to 200 litres

* Ceramic impellor shaft for smooth, silent running & long impellor life
* Shut-off taps & quick-release clips to make cleaning quick and easy
* Complete with all hoses and fittings, including spray bar
* Designed for optimum filtration volume in a compact size
* Removable cap in canister head for priming or bleeding air

Im happy to go and shell out for a new filter but i a bit disappointed this one is not doing the job when it is meant to be right, if not better than needed.

Im going to do another water change now before i go to work and take readings before i do it..then when i get home to.

manufacturers recommendations of suitable tank sizes and flow rates are optomistic at best, this filter by the standards above say's it's suitable for a tank of 300 litres, you can read that as around 250litres real max tank size. your tank is 561 litres going by the dimensions you gave above so clearly the filter's not up to the job for that size tank.

then you add in the factor that african cichlids require a lot of filtration as they are big waste producers so going on manufacturers recommended tank sizes you should be looking for a filter (or combination of filters) which is suitable for a tank around 800 litres.

 

[dthoffsett]

With a fully stocked (well, overstocked) mbuna tank you want a total tank turn over of 8-10 times per hour. So you'll want your filter(s) rated for 4500 - 5600lph (or 1200 - 1500gph). So, Miss Wiggle is absolutely correct in advising you to add filtration as soon as possible.

You are currently a bit understocked for 150gal tank, so for now, you could get away with a turn over of at least 5 times per hour, so you'll need 2800lph or 750gph.

 

[electric yellow]

Id like to stock up some more, but if my filter needs to be upgraded then i need to do that first. I guess as the fish get older and bigger the filtration needs also increase.

I understand what your guys are saying with the lph and will go visit my aquarium today after work and get some pricing for a filter that turns over more water.

I will change the water whe i get home. Started work at 5am today so didnt really want to do it at 3am!

 

[electric yellow]

So my readings for today are as follows:

ammonia 0ppm
nitrite 0-0.25ppm
nitrate 0-5.0ppm

So its nearlly back to normal

 

[WILDER]

Ok the stats look better.
Still keep up with the water changes.
Good Luck.