cannister filter or sump?

[deadeyedennis]

    

Ok I will write this one more time.It seem that ever time I write on this forum it disappears not sure why.

So I have a 72gallon oceanic bowfront aquarium. Not drilled. I have a lot of cichlids in it and all the females are now holding so more on the way. I have a fluval 404 on this tank now.it's not doing the job properly.I have a lot of particulate in the water. I have been looking for a fx-5 or6 but way to much money.I will keep an eye for one thou. I need another filter on it maybe a canister or build a sump.I have been looking on ebay at the Sunsun 304b with uv light in them.Anyone know if they are any good?Should I try my hand at building a sump wet/dry?what size of tank or supplies would I need?The open area I have is aprox 13x28 because of area being used by 404 and fish supplies.If anyone has any good ideas let me know.Thanks in advance

[deadeyedennis]

A couple more things I know that the pic shows 2 filters but one was from my other tank. I put it on it to cycle the tank faster.It has been put back.Also would I have to worry about a sump and water on my nice hardwood floors?I also don't like HOBs because of the noise.I have tried a few in the past.Thanks again folks for any info.

[gabor129]

Hello there! First off sorry about the disappearing posts!!!! If the noise from an HOB is bothering you, I would not get a sump!

[deadeyedennis]

Thanks gabor129.

[Andre]

Hi Dennis,

I would agree with gabor129 on the noise of a sump, they can be noisy but looking at your stand you could insulate the sound.
Regarding the particulate and the fluval404, do understand that cichlids are messy type of fish and depending on the type of substrate you use (especially sand), they are like a construction crew always working and moving sand around thus will disturb and have particulate moving around.
A fluval404 on your size tank will turn over your tank nearly 5x an hour, that is very good flow.
I would check your media in your filter, maybe add more filter floss to it for more filtering.

[deadeyedennis]

Thanks Andre, The substrate that I am using is crush coral. The Media that I use in the 404 is bottom pillow floss 2nd and 3rd bio max rings and 4th pillow floss. Maybe I am feeding them to much. I feed them twice a day what they can eat in about 2 min or less. Maybe cut it down to 1 time a day because I have live plants in the tank and I think they may be eating them. thanks for the input..

[bonbob]

I bought a SUNSUN canister fileter (505) off ebay and I love mine, so far.....

[freshwater]

I have heard good things about the SUNSUN canisters and for the price it looks like a nice filter. Does your have the built in UV light. others that have the SUNSUN said to be very careful when cleaning not to crack the housing, they said it is a bit thin. Keep us posted on how it is working for you.

[bonbob]

Yes. Mine does have the uv light. Definetly keep you posted!

[deadeyedennis]

Update on this. I found 2 fluval fx-5 cheap .So I put 1 on this tank and 1 on another.These filters are awesome.So quite and what a work horse.Does a great job.