whats a good filter???

[PiMpPiStOl]

im starting up my 55 for now, and im gonna do africans. so im wondering the best filter i should use... masroberts has 2 hed sell me...forgot what they are...maybe hell step in sometime and name em.

but yeah, im gonna need something good this weekend since im gona be in dallas and all. and how much would whatever you recommend cost?? and sands a good substrate right?? how much is that?? 1 more thing...i forgot...wow...i completely forgot. my mind went blank! oH! duh... can i have just a bare tank with the sand and all? or would i need driftwood or rocks and stuff?? like...ill definately get soem later, but for now...would that be ok or should i just get those too??

[tsunderl]

I would not do a bare sand only tank for cichlids. They like to hide and some can be territorial so they need the rocks and other decor.

What you really want to do is mimic their natural habitat as much as you can. Study up on the fish you're getting and try to duplicate where they live in the wild. Having decor in the tank really cuts down on the aggression too.

As far as filters, you can never have too many. I don't know what Mason is selling you, but I'm sure he's not going to steer you wrong if you tell him they are for a 55g. On a 55, I'd run a minimum of two filters of any kind.

[masroberts9]

dude, yes sand is great. dont do driftwood....do limestone or holeyrock (which is limestone). i am setting up my 75 as an african tank this week I should know by this weekend if i have extra rock or not. I bet i will. I have a lot of rock. the basic idea is to get the pH upto 7.5-8.0, and limestone will help that. you can also use crushed coral as a substrate and that will raise you pH to that range.

also i noticed that glostik was selling a brandnew emperor 400 for like $40. that is one of the filters that i offered you, but supposedly his is a newer version. it is rated at 400 gph which would be plenty for your tank. I ran an emperor 280 on my 55 african with no problems. i always have crystal clear water. but you will need some biomax to put into the extra media tray. also i saw.... that pitterpatti found some xp3's on ebay for a good deal. if read enough you'll see that xp3's are many peoples favorites. The other filter i had offered was the penn pax cascade 300 that i ordered just before the petsmart rush where i bought the xp2. once i move my africans, i will probably be able to let one of those hobs go.

[bra8ndy8]

Does this thread go in African's or setups.....equipment?

[masroberts9]

setups probably.....hell i dont know either.

[PiMpPiStOl]

i didnt think of that... thats the second time i didnt think tonight.... i think i need to sleep... but i dont wanna!!! but i should... i dunno

[tsunderl]

It is covering both subjects, but more about setting up an african tank, so I opted to leave it here.

FYI, I have a couple Cascade 300s and they are very good as well. I'd compare them to the XPs. They are set up on my cichlid tanks and are doing great. No noise either!

[masroberts9]

oh yeah. i think i have sand and cq you can have too.

[bra8ndy8]

Well you're the MOD.....wherever you want it! lol:brandy:

I love my FX5......but I have had a Rena....and love it too!

[PiMpPiStOl]

Well you're the MOD.....wherever you want it! lol:brandy:

I love my FX5......but I have had a Rena....and love it too!

yeah i know what im doin! booyah!:tease:

[bra8ndy8]

Ummmmm if you think so!:p: You're asking about a filter..........that has nothing to do with African's

[PiMpPiStOl]

actually it does....if i were to ask for a filter for any fish, then it would go in equipment...but in this case, im asking for a filter for africans...

so yes, i do think so

[masroberts9]

yeah.....i dont think it matters what you think pimp. :hehe:

[biggin]

Perhaps we could get back on subject and not worry about what section it is in?

Personally I wold go with 2 filters vs. 1.

I like a canister(I use XP3s on my 55g tanks) and 1 or 2 HOB....

If you want it to be an African tank, I would go with some holey rock or something. Holeyrock is nice for the buffering effect but clay pots or anything will work.

[130galcichlid]

Perhaps we could get back on subject and not worry about what section it is in?

Personally I wold go with 2 filters vs. 1.

I like a canister(I use XP3s on my 55g tanks) and 1 or 2 HOB....

If you want it to be an African tank, I would go with some holey rock or something. Holeyrock is nice for the buffering effect but clay pots or anything will work.

Good choice HOB are getting old and not as good. I just got my FX5 yest...so that means im selling my Mag 350 here n a couple days