Equipment & Supplies • Enough filtration for bio load?

[thegraacks]

I have a 40g tank I'll be stocking with saulosi. I'll have 12-15 after they're adults and I have my ratio I want. I'm currently running a marineland penguin with bio wheel and two filters at 150 gph and an Aqueon quiet flow at 250gph. Is this ok?

[countryboy814]

I think 12-15 adults are too many for a 40 gal.

[thegraacks]

It'll be 10 with a 1:4 ratio and maybe 2 BN plecos

[13razorbackfan]

400gph total sounds fine and remember the nitrifiers will attach themselves to the rocks, substrate, plants, etc...

You may add a small powerhead for extra circulation if you want or need.

[Fishy_Cichlid]

The water turnover is adequate. But biological filtration depends on the type of Media used and type of filtration. More surface area means more places for more bacteria to settle down. A sump (with proper media) is a more effective Biological filter in comparison to say a canister. Again, your bacteria will grow to the optimum level based on the Biological load of the tank. So less load means lesser bacteria even though your filter surface area is capable of homing more quantities of bacteria. The reverse isn't the same though since you are limited by the surface area of your media.

However, 12-15 numbers are way too many in a 40 G.

[countryboy814]

It'll be 10 with a 1:4 ratio and maybe 2 BN plecos

Okay that's 12. Too much of a bio load for a 40 gal.

[thegraacks]

I was following the cookie cutter setup from this site. Instead of having two species of cichlids i am doing one species tank with the two BN plecos. http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/c ... er_40g.php

[countryboy814]

It'll be 10 with a 1:4 ratio and maybe 2 BN plecos

You can do whatever you want but this is too many fish for a 40 gal. They don't stay juvies for ever.

[GTZ]

If it's a 48"x13" 40g, 10 should be fine. It's the same footprint as a 55g. I'd probably go with a single BN.

[countryboy814]

If it's a 48"x13" 40g, 10 should be fine. It's the same footprint as a 55g. I'd probably go with a single BN.

It may be the samie foot print but not the same volume. It's 12 fish. Twelve 5" fish

[GTZ]

If it's a 48"x13" 40g, 10 should be fine. It's the same footprint as a 55g. I'd probably go with a single BN.

It may be the samie foot print but not the same volume. It's 12 fish. Twelve 5" fish

At best, Ps. saulosi will reach 4.5 inches in the aquarium, the average will be closer to 4" or less, particularly with females. I don't see anything wrong with stocking 10 in a 48"x13"x16" tank.
Also, 10+1=11.

[countryboy814]

I was following the cookie cutter setup from this site. Instead of having two species of cichlids i am doing one species tank with the two BN plecos. http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/c ... er_40g.php

I don't know.....seems like 12.

[AulonoKarl]

That should be enough biological filtration, but it's kind of on the low end of what I think I would do. I would probably aim for two HOB filters that would combine for about 600 GPH. I like to have plenty of water movement under the surface to keep the waste off of the substrate. I don't think what you have will do that, so you will probably end up vacuuming a lot. You could probably use the two filters that you mentioned in conjunction with an underwater powerhead or two, as razorbackfan mentioned, for much better results.

[Jmanolinsky]

Just to throw some more opinion in the matter, it really depends on your maintenance schedule as well.