Thinking of starting a new tank - Cichlids

I really appreciate this suggestion and the info, already looking into DIY'in this sump and tank ... XD

 

Thank you so much, will PM Dolphin a little later (Kinda need to work instead of staring at fish)

I am really thinking that the suggestion to get my tank drilled and a sump made is a better way to go. Canister filters with heaters are ranging from R3k upwards, and I am sure that for a similar price I can get my tank resealed and potentially drilled with a sump.

I didnt realize how close I am to PetshopSA, and I have seen their name mentioned a lot so will give them a call or visit to see if they are able to assist with estimated pricing.



Never used a sump before, anything I should know ? (estimating I would need around 100L sump for a 300/330L tank)

 

Okay my 2cents here

Regarding sump systems:

Its more of its for you or its not.
Marine tanks are a different story

Filtration:
I am an old believer of the good old sponge filters

My malawi tank has one in and works like THE boss.
What works for me is my maintenance that happens clockwise.
Went away for 2 months came back did a quick test and nitrates was a bit high at 33ppm. Water change and back to normal.

Not really sure why people are avoiding the sponge filters.
Look? Noise?

Now for the scary one
Dirt substrate tanks.

Have not tested it with cichlids, yet, have heard it has been done succesfully.

Have a 3ft planted DST with BN ancinstrus, false kohaku swords and now sakura shrimp
Tested water yesterday, ALL parameters are on point. Last water change on this tank... Has not had one since startup 6 months ago.

Depends from person to person

Regards

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Absolutely no issue with sponge filters, used to have one in my last tank but ran it along with a canister filter. (Oscar with a live feed regime was pretty messy)

I just wanted to try get a super clean look. That's why I want to try the lilly glass tubes or the sump ...

The main swinging factor for me was that a sump is a good filter otherwise people wouldn't use it and if it costs the same as a canister filter and looks as clean as a canister filter, let me try something I haven't done before.

But I do agree with you, if you don't mind the look of sponge filters, they do amazing work (those big double sponge ones are insanely effective)

 

If i have to choose between canister and sump i would run a sump system

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Since I have never used a sump before, are there inherent advantages over canister filters ?

 

sumps are the best in my experience
you can increase your water volume, house far more filter media, have far more space for sponges and foam to clean water, they are easier to clean if set up well, you can hide all equipment out of tank.
sumps in most cases cost more than a canister filter but you will have far more media, better flow rate and more water
6 times water volume turn over per hour has always worked great for me.

 

Thank you very much for the information.

When you say sumps are more expensive, is that the cost of the sump alone or with filter media ?

 

mean the complete package when bought from a retailer. sump may cost more than budget canister. sumps also require drilling of tank witch aint cheap if you not going to do it yourself.
if you buy second hand 4 foot tank, do panels of sump yourself and only use cheap media you can save a fortune, get benefit of a good filter and add better media as time goes buy.
i have never finished filling sumps with expensive media

 

I still have a bunch of the ceramic rings, do they have a shelf life ?

I thought you meant the sump was more expensive before media, I dont mind it being more expensive once media has been added since I have a ton of media left over from years ago.


Do you maybe have a size recommendation for the sump ?

I wouldnt be able to get another 4FT (just dont have space for it), would a 2ft or 3ft work ?

 

Would always go as large as possible

So for a 4ft tank will run a 3ft sump

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Thank you very much

 

as stated above bigger is better,
you need to calculate how much water will flow out of the tank when the return pump stops, and that there i enough space to accommodate this water, as a absolute minimum size. think joey diy does a video on this

 

Going to have to rethink the whole idea, just got the tank home (what a mission to move a 4ft tank on your own in a Q3)

Stand isnt great and tank needs some serious work.

 

@top dog ... ... Sorry for tagging you in what seems like a completely unrelated reply at 1am.

Was a long day and I have no idea how I managed to quote you when I just wanted to add a post. XD