some advice please

[mattdabat]

after upgrading from a 30gal tank to a 60gal tank yesterday i killed my tree cichlids. i spent a few hours reading up on how fix the mistakes i have made in the past. i was reading about filtration and i found alot of talk about canister filters. i have always used the filters that hang over the back(they are very loud and it is hard to get to sleep at night). what is the difference? which are better? should i switch up my filtration since my tank is empty? i am thinking that once i get my water conditoned to the proper specs i want the put only yellow lab cichlids in my 60gal. i like their bright yellow color. any feedback or links with info would be apreciated.

 

[The-Wolf]

IMO cannister filters are only second best to sump filters.
I have a ehiem 2213 and it is extreamly quiet.

 

[semper fi]

i like canister filters. i use the magnum pro on my tanks. you have the ability to change out the media, use the micron filter to polish the water and with the pro, you have an attachment to hook up a vacuum to it. it does hang on the back, but i don't find it noisy at all as long as the water level is up.

sumps or wet/dry filters are ok. imo, for them to be effective you have to have the tank drilled for the hoses though. i had a real problem with not having the tank drilled and the devils playing with the hoses. many times they knocked the hoses out. big mess when they are on a 180 and 240!

if you like the yellow of the labs, another species to check out is psuedotropheus daktari. it is not as common as the labs but you can find breeders of it online. same yellow coloring as the lab, but with no black markings. peaceful fish and a great community one also. it is also an mbuna. gets to be about 5" adult male size.