Filteration For Africans

[Matt_northants]

The key is not really turnover but a large volume of media. Most Malawis, especially mbuna, dont really appreciate a high flow rate. But they do need clean water, so ideally a trickle filter would be the best option however IMO a large external filter suffices. The level of dissolved oxygen is also important so as a return use a spray bar set above the water level to cause a large amount gaseous exchange.

 

[jakeroberts]

hi well i have been looking at ug j and i am wondering if i should build one for my tank as i already have the power head from somthing else

are you talking about pvc pipe under the gravel with x amount of jets or are you talking about the big plates that cover the bottam with a uplift in the corner?


this is what im one about
[URL="http/www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/ug_jets.php"]http/www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/ug_jets.php[/URL]

chris

hi i am talking about the pvc pipe under the gravel i was thinking of doing 4 jets using one power head because my tanks is only 35 gallons but because i am doing 4 jets on 1 power head i was only going to use 1/2 inch pvc so i could still get a decent flow what do you think?

 

[darrel69]

Most Malawis, especially mbuna, dont really appreciate a high flow rate. But they do need clean water, so ideally a trickle filter would be the best option

That is totally opposite to what i have learned, been told and read about many of times. According to my sources, many Lake Malawi cichlids are accustomed to strong currents in the wild so they require powerful filteration systems. Vigorous water flow promotes vitality, natural resistance and growth of young fish.

Adding additional rapid filteration is a good idea as strong sea-like currents are imporant in a Malawi aquarium. (Not too strong as to cause a whirlpool though!!)

Also, according to a book i have, trickle filters arnt really suitable for Lake Malawi set-ups due to the high ph of the water.

 

[Matt_northants]

Most Malawis, especially mbuna, dont really appreciate a high flow rate. But they do need clean water, so ideally a trickle filter would be the best option

That is totally opposite to what i have learned, been told and read about many of times. According to my sources, many Lake Malawi cichlids are accustomed to strong currents in the wild so they require powerful filteration systems. Vigorous water flow promotes vitality, natural resistance and growth of young fish.

Adding additional rapid filteration is a good idea as strong sea-like currents are imporant in a Malawi aquarium. (Not too strong as to cause a whirlpool though!!)

Also, according to a book i have, trickle filters arnt really suitable for Lake Malawi set-ups due to the high ph of the water.

Quote from Mary Bailey in answer to a a question in PFK Issue 9 2007

"Finally, please dont make the mistake of thinking that Malawi cichlids require a lot of water movement. Except during major storms or at the very surface during a gentler blow, the water is quite calm in most places. The wind normally drops in the late afternoon and the lake can be like a mill pond. Even when the surface is moving and waves are breaking on the rocks, if you go down a metre or so (as the fishes do!) it is quite calm.
What Malawi cichlids require is efficient biological filtration and a high oxygen content. This can be achieved with low turnover undergravels or even box filters - it is not necessary or desirable to pump water like mad, just circulate the water gently amd ruffle the surface to allow good oxygen uptake."

Is the book you've got Lake Malawi Cichlids by Peter Bredell?

 

[Ferris]

The key point is certainly not the flow - plenty of biological and mechanical filtration are the important things. Of course - all 3 things tend to go hand in hand unless you run filters with no media.

 

[Matt_northants]

The key point is certainly not the flow - plenty of biological and mechanical filtration are the important things. Of course - all 3 things tend to go hand in hand unless you run filters with no media.

Agreed or using trickle filters, but they are so damn ugly and hard to conceal.

 

[jakeroberts]

Thanks for all the help everybody. today i built and installed my under gravel jet sytem at the moment i am only using a 400lph submersible pump so their is barly any flow but in about a month i will be upgrading to a 1000 or 1400lph submersible pump to power the jets

 

[darrel69]

Is the book you've got Lake Malawi Cichlids by Peter Bredell?

Its not really a book, its just a bunch of 'fact sheets' stapled together that i printed off the net months&months ago... I have heard what you are saying before though. I guess people have their own views, opinions and way of doing things. Trouble is, you dont know whats right and wrong ??? even thought there's plenty of aricles on the net & books ect but each one says completely different things... gets confusing

 

[Matt_northants]

Thats true and I suppose just because something works for one person doesnt mean it will work for another. IMO the best thing to do is to try what the general consensus suggests is best see if it works and if it doesnt tweak it until it does.