bb1252

I am overwhelmed with trying to find the cheapest way to filter my new cichlid tank. It is a 90 gal. and I want to keep it slightly overstocked with african cichlids. I have thought about getting a canister that does about 300-400gph and a HOB that does about 300gph, combined with a large sponge filter I could hide behind the rock work. Can you use a sponge filter with silica sand? Does this combination sound like enough filtration, or does anyone have a better (more cost efficient) idea?
PS- I have an extra tank I considered using as a sump, but that seems very complicated and expesive too...

Allie

We have a canister filter on our 120g which is for a 350g and a hang on back for oxygen.

Shawnie

IMO filtration should not be the cheapest but the best...when thats not working properply, is when you have many issues

steveangela1

for my cichlid tanks I use a canister filter (over-rated for the tank size) and a hob filter (penguins are on mine) that combo seems to work really well w/ my large overstocked cichlid tanks

bb1252

Thank you all for your imput, but I would like to rephrase my question. I would like to have very sufficent filtration and reliable equipment but I also need to keep my budget in mind (as I am still in college ). From what I have seen you can save some money by combining a HOB with a canister, rather than buying a really powerful canister. My main questions though are 1. How many GPH should I be looking for on each filter? & 2. Can I use a sponge filter as a supplemental filter with my silica sand?

steveangela1

We def didn't save money buying our canister filters they are eheim eccos. But you need the highest gph you can find w/ the filters. The penguins have really good gph readings.

outlaw

What is your budget?

I don't have as large a tank or the saving capacity as steveangela1 but I did go the "knock-off" route. I have a canister filter rated at 317GPH or up 75Gal per the specs. Here is the one I have. It's an Odyssea CFS4, It comes as a "kit" with everything needed to start it (Filter Media, Hoses, fittings). I've had this for about 4 months now and can't say I have had an issue with it since getting it. And for the price $60 online + shipping(I'm local so there was a $10 charge) I don't think you can go wrong.

Pros-
Quiet
Quick connect hose fittings for easy clean
Big primer "button"
Comes with all filter media to get started
Can use just about anything you want in any tray

Cons-
Not name brand
I don't have 2
I don't have the room for 2

I use this with a tetratec pf300 w/heater on a 46Gal along with some ugravel jets and can't say I have had any cleaning issues and even when I got lazy, it was still cleaning like a champ. It does get slightly louder when its really dirty but if you have it in a cabinet (under the tank) you probably wont even know its on unless its dead quiet in the room. I had to put my hand on it until I got used to it just to make sure it was still running. HERE is some reviews on cichlid-forums. They have a little comparison to the Eheim 2026 too.

I would recommend it for someone on a budget.

Hope this helps, good luck!