Powerhead In New World Cichlid Tank

[fishprotector]

I am about to buy a hydor koralia 2800 for my tank in order to try and reduce the build up of pleco poop and keep the sand clean. I do water changes weekly but it builds up very quickly and looks a bit messy. I hope that it will push the poop to the filter intake. I did post this in tropical discussion the other day, but wanted to know if any cichlid owners could think of any problems with this?

 

[onidrase]

I can't think of anything that could go wrong. Only fish that come to mind that would possibly be bothered by a powerhead are bettas, killifish, and gouramis.

 

[fishprotector]

Thanks for that. I have not got any of those. It's my big tank so cichlids barbs and plecos only. Oh and some hillstream loaches temporarily but they should love it

 

[michaelh]

I was thinking of doing this. Due to my way OTT stocking i do 2x 50% weekly changes and still plec poop persists lol. Glad to hear it seams ok. What fish you using it with out of interest?
EDIT: meant what cichlids? Lol

 

[fishprotector]

I was thinking of doing this. Due to my way OTT stocking i do 2x 50% weekly changes and still plec poop persists lol. Glad to hear it seams ok. What fish you using it with out of interest?
EDIT: meant what cichlids? Lol

It will be used with a JD, Sev, Ellioti, Jewel, three pleco, four pictus, a large shoal of barbs and a few randoms. probably not far from being over stocked myself! I will be getting one on sat morning so will let you know. Just not sure if the 2800 model will be too much but we will see.

Whats your stocking list?

 

[mattlee]

trying to push the poo into the filter intake will mean more filter maintenance. just because it may end up out of sight doesnt mean its not there....

 

[fishprotector]

Hmm that's a thought. I have two externals and clean / maintain one every week. So each one gets done bi weekly. hopefully this would still be enough to keep them running sweetly.

 

[mattlee]

i would be carefull cleaning the filters so often tbh. there is no real need to clean them unless your nitrates are rising too much or your flow is reduced.

its probably best to leave them for much longer than 2 weeks unless one of the issues i mentioned occurs. i clean my FX5 filters about once every 5 months and they arent clogged or losing flow.

 

[fishprotector]

Fair enough, point taken. I have always done it to be honest. I normally clean the impeller and rinse the sponges and media in tank water. I think it comes from years ago when I used to breed a lot of shrimp and aim to keep the water crystal. I have never had any outbreaks of diseases or illnesses (touch wood) apart from one burn from a heater. I can see where you are coming from though due to bacteria colonies etc.

 

[michaelh]

I was thinking of doing this. Due to my way OTT stocking i do 2x 50% weekly changes and still plec poop persists lol. Glad to hear it seams ok. What fish you using it with out of interest?
EDIT: meant what cichlids? Lol

It will be used with a JD, Sev, Ellioti, Jewel, three pleco, four pictus, a large shoal of barbs and a few randoms. probably not far from being over stocked myself! I will be getting one on sat morning so will let you know. Just not sure if the 2800 model will be too much but we will see.

Whats your stocking list?

Nice. I have 3 different plecs 3 oscars and 9 honaraun red points. Bad mix i know but i have 2 other tanks for O's if and when i need them lol.

 

[fishprotector]

I was thinking of doing this. Due to my way OTT stocking i do 2x 50% weekly changes and still plec poop persists lol. Glad to hear it seams ok. What fish you using it with out of interest?
EDIT: meant what cichlids? Lol

It will be used with a JD, Sev, Ellioti, Jewel, three pleco, four pictus, a large shoal of barbs and a few randoms. probably not far from being over stocked myself! I will be getting one on sat morning so will let you know. Just not sure if the 2800 model will be too much but we will see.

Whats your stocking list?

Nice. I have 3 different plecs 3 oscars and 9 honaraun red points. Bad mix i know but i have 2 other tanks for O's if and when i need them lol.

Oh wow yes that is a lot of fish. What Plecs do you have?

 

[michaelh]

I was thinking of doing this. Due to my way OTT stocking i do 2x 50% weekly changes and still plec poop persists lol. Glad to hear it seams ok. What fish you using it with out of interest?
EDIT: meant what cichlids? Lol

It will be used with a JD, Sev, Ellioti, Jewel, three pleco, four pictus, a large shoal of barbs and a few randoms. probably not far from being over stocked myself! I will be getting one on sat morning so will let you know. Just not sure if the 2800 model will be too much but we will see.

Whats your stocking list?

Nice. I have 3 different plecs 3 oscars and 9 honaraun red points. Bad mix i know but i have 2 other tanks for O's if and when i need them lol.

Oh wow yes that is a lot of fish. What Plecs do you have?

My fav fish is my 11" common,hes always out during the day now.Had from less than 1". Then i have a fairly red gibby plec at about 8" and somthing that looks exactly the same as my common but is blueish. Not a blue phantom though lol.