Setup Of New 3ft Tank + Filter

[jrc0001]

Hey guys, i'm just starting my first tank and after a bit of advice(sorry for being a noob)

I have recently got hold of a 3ft tank along with a Fluval 403 canister filter and heater. My intention is to set this up as a tropical tank with mainly cichlids or tetras. I understand the the filter is really to much will this cause problems? Also the tank came with undergravel plates, I have checked and it is possible for the canister to be hooked up to the UG, is this recommeded or a waste of time?

Also I am wondering which combination of filter media is the best option for this setup as there are recomendations for BIO-MAX, prefilter and carbon, I was thinking that having the prefilter or Biomax at the bottom, carbon in the middle and a foam on top, is this advisable?

[bettamuse]

You can never have too much filtration. You can however have too much water movement for some species of fish, so if the canister comes with a spray bar then you should use it.

I don’t think you gain much by running the canister through the UG. You may put too much restriction on the inlet of the canister and reduce its flow rate.

Also ( plant people please correct me if I’m wrong) plants and under gravel filters don’t mix. Very few plants like water being pulled past their roots and show it by stunting or simply dyeing off.

Also on the undergravel filter side of things. If you put cichlids into the tank and they dig a hole in the gravel, they will render just about the entire undergravel filter useless as all the water flow will go through the hole and not through the filtering gravel.

With putting gravel into a tank. If you do not intend to plant directly into the gravel and opt for plants attached to rocks or wood then just use a thin layer of gravel so it won’t build up any toxic bacteria.

The filter medium combination you are thinking of using is fine. If you don’t over stock your tank you should only have to clean the canister one every 6 months or so. Most the people I know only clean their canisters when they notice the water flow significantly reduced. Then they only replace the carbon and clean the sponge, and never touch the medium in the bottom.
Cheers
BM

[joz]

Hi BM,I'd say your right about plants and under gravel.

But then most cichlids would make short work of plants aswell.

But you could connect the outlet of the cannister to your undergravel inlet,.
This would keep your gravel very clean as the water flushes up and does not suck down through it.Also get extra bio filtration this way.
Youd just need to keep an eye on oxygen levels because there is no water disturbance on the surface this way.(an airstone)!

Btw I tend to stay clear of activated carbon or charcoal these days as a permanant fixture.I only use it when necessary.
I still find sponge and dacron wool to be the most effective cannister material,I tend to leave bio-balls and porous cylinders for wet and dry applications as I find they work better not submerged. Only IMO of course :)

[wombat1100]

Interesting comments about plants and under gravel filters, might start a thread in the plant section, please comment in there guys,
Dazz