Re: Filter question

That's a *cough* interesting mix of South & Central Americans (and
African riverine).  I count,
(2x7)+(2x5)+(4x2)+(5x1)+(3x2)+(1x4)+(1x6x3)+(1x3x3) (pleco/Oscar/GF
multiplier is 3)= 74 fish inches as your current biological load (which
helps determine filtration requirements).  Knowing how much larger some
of these fish get, I'd plan on filtering as a 150g-200g tank.  Biological
load does not take into account any behavioural or territorial
requirements, which cichlids tend to have ;~)  If the fish have all grown
up together, then you probably have an established equilibrium (of sorts)
in the tank, however, I would not get too relaxed.  When/if the
equilibrium comes undone, if will happen fairly quickly.  Your first
victims might be the larger fish which have no cover (smaller fish which
know where to hide will be too much effort at first).  IMO, expect
trouble from your Jacks at some point, and any spawning groupings
(especially if your pairs are pairs) will put pressure on the others.  I
believe that you're in for some 'interesting' times, far beyond your
current filtration concerns ;~)

NetMax


"Rob MacCara" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Thanks - that's pretty well what I was convincing myself of <g>. I
would
> imagine that I'd keep the Magnum's micron filter on to remove the fine
> particles that seem to cloud up the water. The tank (80gal)is not too
> overstocked (I don't think - just a little):
> 1 pair 7" Mozambique
> 1 pair 5" Blue Acaras
> 2 pair 2" Jack Dempsey
> 5 each 1" Blue Eyed Cichlid
> 3 each 2" Rainbow Cichlid
> 1 each 4" Bolivian Ram
> each 6" Raspberry Plecostomus
> each 3" Sailfin Plecostomus
>
> Any suggestions for the tank at this point? I do 25% water change every
> other weekend and gravel the vac at the same time. I'm probably guilty
of
> over-feeding too. Some pics from earlier this year can be found here:
> http://dvs.ca/fish/
>
> Thanks,
> Rob

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