Filter for Mbuna Tank - Canister/Sump

I want to start a Mbuna tank. I have a 4ft long tank 250Litres. I would like to know what would be the best to use, a Canister filter which cycles my tank at least 5x an hour or a sump filter?

When using a sump filter is a skimmer refugium needed? {not really sure about this setup.}

One problem I do have is transporting the tank if it should be drilled and my stand is pretty basic and unsure if a sump should be used or not.

Below some images of my tank as I did the Leak test.

 

I'm not a sump fan. I feel they make a lot of noise and use more electricity due to cooling in winter. I'd use a canister that can turn over about 4-5 times the water volume per hour. I'm not experienced in malawi cichlids though and if you intend overstocking your tank to disperse aggression, then I'm not sure whether a canister will suffice. Personally, I would never deliberately overstocked one of my tanks though.

 

Thank you @Broder, At this moment I was also thinking of a canister, but wanted to be sure before I go ahead.

So far I decided getting the following for my tank:
Cuckoo Catfish x2
Electric Yellow Labs x3 or 4

Still need to pick some between the following:
Acei
Red Zebra
Blue Zebra
Clown Lab
Kenyi
Demasoni
Johanni
Auratus

Thought of getting maybe 3 more different ones off about 3 or 4 a group, but not yet sure about the totals I should keep. Making it more difficult is selecting the above mentioned out of a mixed malawi group at our LFS.

 

I tried identifying fish at my lfs, but eventually gave that up. Spend a little more and get fish of know origin in my opinion. You don't want to raise some juvi just to find out that it's actually a hybrid. Jack Stone at stone aquatics is your go to guy.

 

Hi guys.

In my experience with Malawi's is that unfortunately you have to over stock the tank.

I must say for me the sump is the best way to go. Lots of place for media and, larger water volume.

 

My tank before I set it up

 

@Orteaga

A large canister filter will usually do the job for a slightly "overstocked" Malawi cichlid community.
Where "overstocked" means stocked with enough of the right species to properly distribute their aggression.

You shouldn't need any more than a canister sized for a 250 liter or slightly higher tank or I would say the tank is properly overstocked.

More filtration media is not going to give you the ability to add more fish unless coupled with more frequent and large water changes because while you will be able to convert lots of ammonia and nitrite you still need to manage the nitrates in the system.

I can definitely recommend the lesser known but very effective filtration method which has been dubbed the "planted HOB", similar to the filter design of natural swimming pools, this uses bog plants to absorb huge amounts of nitrate which you can then export from the system by pruning the plants. It's important to note that this is not a solution to not do water changes, these have other benefits such as replenishing trace elements in the system. The system is great for Mbuna tanks where you can't otherwise keep many plants.

As @dash says - the sump filtration is advantageous as you can add huge amounts of filtration media to help convert your ammonia and nitrite into nitrate and it can add a lot of water volume to the system which will help keep your nitrates lower and more stable.

 

Jack is correct. I do 2 50% water changers a week on my 300l

 

@Jack Stone & @dash, Thank you for the input!

What would be deemed as properly stocked in my case?

I spoke to the owner from the lfs in Benoni and he said he will drill the tank as well as build me a sump for my tank for +/- R650.

Only problem is will also then have to modify stand or get a different one as do not have space to put the sump unless I put in in the front somewhere, but then my Fiance would kill me as the tank will take up allot more space.

 

Some things that will help to reduce aggression:

Buy the biggest tank that you can.

Aquascape in such a way that that there are lots of caves and holes. Apparently stacked slate is excellent for this. Break the line of sight.. Out of sight, out of mind

select species that are of a similar disposition. Personally, I would not buy any fish that are known to be pugnacious.

Adhere to the correct male/female ratio. I've read that you should have at least 2-3 females to one male per species. Can you imagine how chilled we would be if this was the case? The ladies maybe not so much

introduce cer the fish in the correct order. I would imagine that you can't introduce a small, docile fish into a den of pittbulls. Either introduce all at the same time so that they can establish territories, otherwise bigger and more aggressive fish last.

Many people like to stick their tank heavily if they haven't succeeded with other means, but I read that the fish no longer display their natural behavior under these conditions. Obviously you need to have adequate filtration for this and some experience in fish keeping and the nitrogen cycle.

Im just rehashing what I've read, so anyone with criticisms, please direct them at the facts and not at me. I don't have the experience to argue.

 

A sump with a "refugium" would be perfect. Can add one or 2 papyrus plants and some other plants with a led spotlight

 

Thanks @Broder & @Ryno.

I might have to do the canister filter route but will first think it through properly before I make a mistake. My problem is mostly space and with my current tank and stand setup putting a sump/refugium will be extremely difficult.

Should I go the canister filter route Im stuck at deciding between the Dophin C1600 and the Aqua One cfx1200 at this moment.

Then a more stable/reliable heater as well as proper testing kits and water treatment products which I still net to have a look at.

 

Hi mate. If you are going the canister way take a look atthe sunsun range of filters. I think they have one called the 304b ask@haihachi he is using one on a Malawi tank.Good luck and keep us posted

 

Thanks @dash, Still got allot to purchase and read up on before the Final products. Will keep everyone posted and will most probably ask allot of questions still {apologize in advance :tongue:}.

 

Can`t Wait!!! Picking up my Dophin C1600, Heater + Air pump tomorrow!!!

 

Cool! As I started of with malawi and had a mbuna tank, I say the canister will be enough. Lekke! Remember the very important pics!

 

Thanx @Ebrahim, Will post as soon as tank is cycled and I add fish!

 

Update, Just Started to Cycle my tank, bit empty at the moment. . .

 

Sorry, this might be a stupid question, but do you really need the air pump if your canister filter will be doing all the circulation? I ask this because I generally find air pumps a bit of an irritation so personally would do without it if I had the choice.

Very cool thread, I'm enjoying it!

 

Hi,

Air pump was just an extra for another tank I'm going to mess around on later. Plus my Fiancé wanted to see some bubbles in the tank so until I can convince her that I will not need it, I'm going to let it stay for a short while :tongue:

The Dophin C1600 is powerful and easy to setup. I never had a canister filter before of any sort and could quite figure out quickly how it work. It came with 4 trays of which 3 already had stuff in.It is very quite as well.

@RoGe, thank you for the interest