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FILTRATION Petrochromis is a fish that produces a lot of waste, mainly because they are big and never stop eating. As a matter of fact the poop is all over the darn place and that is putting it mildly. They can Shxx up a storm. Because petrochromis are so clean &$%!* they require a lot of filtration. They also require nice water changes.
There are many approaches to keeping a tank of petrochromis filtered properly. Your total filtration should turn the water over 10 times in an hour and provide air at the same time. I am only talking about filtration turnover, not water movement. . Some hobbyist use little if any landscaping (the easiest way to keeping that petro tank clean), thereby not allowing the poop to be trapped under landscaping objects in their tanks. Some hobbyist use gravel, sand , rocks , pvc, etc. So water movement is important here. Filtration of a petro tank can be accomplished by using Hang On the Back power filters, Canister Filters, Undergravel Filters using power heads, Even Sponge filters using power heads, or one of the most efficient ways to filter a tank containing petros is to use a sump filtration system.
I personally use undergravel filters with power heads that move 300 to 400 GPH. By using these nice power heads I attach the airline to the power head providing a jet stream of turbulent bubbles shooting across the tank. This keeps debris moving around thereby allowing one of the filtering devices to pick up debris. I also may use HOB filters in addition to the power heads. I have noticed that my Canister filters get clogged very fast… Perhaps it is the way that I have them packed…. It is so much easier to use Power heads that are mounted on the tall stems of the under gravel filter. Twice a year I insert a hose into the tall stems and siphon the junk that has collected under the undergravel filter plates. The hose is attached to a MAG 2400 which really sucks out the junk. The best way to use an undergravel filter is to hook it up to a MAG 6 or MAG 7 water pump. The return flow hose goes back to the tank. The return flow hose will have a small hole so that the an airline tubing can be attached. This airline tubing will suck in air to the return hose that goes back into the tank. This will give you a jet stream of bubbles. I have always been in favor of using undergravel filters because of the massive bacteria stored in the gravel bed you can perform massive water changes.
My XP5 canister filter works well on my 240 gallon tank ( 8 X 2 X 2). I have under gravel filters with power heads(Aquaclear 50, JBJ 400 GPH) attached to the tall stems. I also have a Koralia 8 for more water movement in that 240. I remove the sump from the 240, as IMO was not needed. I have to change the XP5 3 times a year, which is not too bad. I also have 3 Rena X3 they seem to work well if the various chambers are packed right. I am still experimenting with the packing process for these Rena X3 .….
My Hang On the Back power filters are Emperor 400 , AquaClear 110 and AquaClear 70…. These can be cleaned and put back in service rather quickly. That is the joy of HOBs.
With all of this filtration you must still provide for a source of good aeration… that is why I like the power heads with the air line attached to it to provide a jet stream of bubbles …. This agitates the surface of the water releasing the gases that have built up in the tank.
And last of all don’t forget those water changes…. You lazy bum …..
Good luck and enjoy one of the more challenging and rewarding fish
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