Adequate filtration is crucial when it comes to bringing your aquatic pets into breeding conditions. And when it comes to fish as messy as cichlids, this is even more important.
But, is there a type of filtration that serves this purpose best?
Filtration Types
"What type of filter should I use?" That is probably the most common question I hear. That is especially the case when a hobbyist has advanced to a new stage in the hobby and feels he logically should also change his filtration. Is this true? Well, that depends on a variety of factors. Firstly, the dimensions and size of your aquarium can play a role in selecting the right type of filter. The type of inhabitants you keep may also play a role in your decision process. Even where in your home your aquarium is placed may play a role in the type of filtration an aquarist chooses. So what are the advantages of the different types of filters?
Power/HOB Filters
Power filters or HOB (hang-on-back filters) have been in existence for decades. When it first hit the market, it quickly became the mainstay of freshwater aquarists the world over for many reasons. One major reason was convenience. Its easily accessed media trays made maintenance a breeze; a quick rinse or replacement of whatever media sack you were scheduled to clean and you were done. It also was relatively inexpensive when compared to other types of filtration, which made this an attractive option to new entrants into the hobby or for hobbyists on a budget. It also aided in oxygenation of the water column by disturbing the water surface as the clean water poured into the aquarium.
However, HOB filters also have their disadvantages. For one thing, HOB's have a relatively small media capacity when compared to canister filters. This translates into two major disadvantages: 1) more frequent cleanings, and 2) the need to use two or more filters for larger tanks. Another disadvantage is the space that it takes behind the aquarium. As silly as it may sound a first, this can play a major role when space is at a minimum and the tank needs to be place as close the wall as possible. On custom aquariums that fit into corners or between walls, this becomes an even larger problem.
My recommendation would be to use HOB's on tanks no larger then 75 gallons. This may save you time in maintenance and most likely save you from buying two filters. Also, the larger the HOB and the more HOB's you have, the greater the potential for somewhat noisy aquarium setup. This proves especially true if you don't keep up with the evaporation levels.
Box or Internal Filters
Arguably the oldest type of filtration, the internal filter has probably entered the bedroom of almost every guppy keeping child across the globe. Up until no too long ago, nearly every aquarium kit came with an internal filter. This was either powered by air or by an electric pump. It was relatively reliable, and very easy to setup. However, cleaning these filters involves reaching into the aquarium to pull the unit out. Besides the obvious inconvenience of getting your arms wet, it also can disturb the aquarium unnecessarily. Also, because the size of these filters are purposely limited (you want to see fish when you look into your tank, not equipment), it limits the amount of media it can hold.
Therefore, although many have had success keeping fish with internal filters, the fact is that it isn't possible for these filters to support the bioload of a cichlid tank consistently. Therefore, if internal filters are used in a cichlid setup, it should only serve to supplement the primary filtration.
Canister Filters
Canister filters seem to be the filter of choice for hobbyists and enthusiasts across all niches of the aquarium hobby. And with good reason.When properly maintained and installed, canister filters can be real work horses when it comes to aquarium maintenance. The fact that it usually is hidden from sight (usually inside and under an aquarium cabinet) means a larger capacity canister can be chosen and the larger the capacity, the better; especially when it comes to messy cichlids like mbuna. The going "rule-of-thumb" says that the filters' capacity (gallons-per-hour or litres-per-hour) should be 4-5 times the aquarium's water volume. With mbuna, its closer to 8-10 the aquarium volume. This is because cichlids like mbuna are voracious eaters and therefore, produce large quantities of waste.
Another reason is it is preferred by many hobbyists is that a sufficiently sized canister filter can go longer between cleanings; this can be anywhere from 4 months to even a year, though most often its about 6 months. Compared to the HOB's monthly cleaning cycle, that's music to a hobbyists' ears. Also, water bypass (water that escapes being filtered by the media) is reduced considerably in a canister filters when compared with other filter types.
A major downside of canister filters is their price. A well made canister can easily double the price of the best HOB, and as they get bigger, the price increases exponentially. Add a few bells & whistles (built-in heater, electronic controls, etc), and a canister can take up to 80% of your setup budget! Another downside to canister filters is if you're a complete dunce when it comes to anything technical, or if you're just not one of those people who's good with their hands, reassembling canister filters durring cleanings could prove very frustrating. This is especially the case when it comes to more delicate parts that can easily break if some finesse isn't used when putting back together. It must be said that this can happen to anyone; even the steadiest of hands have accidentally snapped a ceramic shaft or broken a plastic clip (yes, I've done it). Its almost inevitable that something will break after years of dismantling and reassembling.
Which Filter?
When choosing a filter type, make sure you clearly know what type of fish you plan on keeping, and what size tank you have. Having these aspects planned in advance, and knowing what they mean for your water and maintenance routine will help you make the best decisions when selecting a suitable aquarium filter.
