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DaveK · 05-03-2007, 09:29 PM

The blue bio balls would indicate that the system has a trickle filter on it.

Actually this is just about ideal for cichlids. May are large, eat a lot,and produce a lot of waste. (Consider oscars) Trickle filters are excellent at converting ammonia -> nitrite -> nitrate. The reason you don't see them used more often in SW reef systems is that they are too good at this, and then all that nitrate needes to be dealt with. In FW it's easy, just make water changes, no expensive salt to purchase and mix.

BTW, if by cichlids you mean discus, the higher water quality maintained by trickle filtration can do wonders for them also. Since they are a bit on the delicate side, it may also be worth using RO/DI water with them, and adding some "discus salts" to the pure water. You shouldn't use RO/DI water for FW unless you put some minerals back into the water. Some people do stuff like use 20% tap water, and 80% RO/DI to get very soft water.

05-03-2007, 09:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
DaveK Neon dottyback Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Philadelpahia, PA Posts: 653 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: cichlid and sump The blue bio balls would indicate that the system has a trickle filter on it. Actually this is just about ideal for cichlids. May are large, eat a lot,and produce a lot of waste. (Consider oscars) Trickle filters are excellent at converting ammonia -> nitrite -> nitrate. The reason you don't see them used more often in SW reef systems is that they are too good at this, and then all that nitrate needes to be dealt with. In FW it's easy, just make water changes, no expensive salt to purchase and mix. BTW, if by cichlids you mean discus, the higher water quality maintained by trickle filtration can do wonders for them also. Since they are a bit on the delicate side, it may also be worth using RO/DI water with them, and adding some "discus salts" to the pure water. You shouldn't use RO/DI water for FW unless you put some minerals back into the water. Some people do stuff like use 20% tap water, and 80% RO/DI to get very soft water.