How Many African Cichlids?

[Marc]

I have a 1200 Litre display tank.

I am using two Fluval 403 Canisters, and 3 x air driven sponge filters.

In your opinion how many average size (~8-9 cms) cichlids do you think the system could cope with?

[matt_Frontosa]

You can stock up too 12 - 16 I think

Just a guess though

If you don't want to maintain alot don't stock too much keep the bio load down:)

[Marc]

Hmmmm ... last count at about 24 .... http://www.thefishtank.com.au/forum/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wacko.gif

I think I&#39;ll do some trades / sell a few off in the coming weeks now I sorta have an idea what I want and what looks good.

[cjborgman]

you need more filtration for that size tank.......you should of outlayed more money for 1 big eheim canister and gone power heads with it.

[wombat1100]

I think i prefer the idea of 2 canisters , then u will always have a backup of the second filter, oh and by the way cjborgman this is a very old post , hes not even in the same house any more!!!

[Woodsy]

Just for arguements' sake though, using two canisters rather that one big one is a much safer way to run a big tank like that. It allows you to do rotational filter cleans, hence avoiding tank crashes, and leaves you with one filter running should the other break down.
In retail terms, I'm pretty sure that two 403's would cost more than a large Ehiem Classic as well. Fluvals generally have stronger pumps in them too, able to more more water per hour (from what I've seen).

[Stu]

1200 lt tank you could have way more than just 12 to 16 africans!!!! how about running 2 fx5's or something similar

[cichlidboy]

one fx and his fluvals would do the trick.
crystal clear water.

[Woodsy]

LOL, and a whirlpool where you'd have to feed them 4 times a day.

[cichlidboy]

hahaha, point taken. still.