dogface puffer

[piccasotrigger]

I have a decent size dogface puffer which is in a 55gallon tank at the moment. I have a magnum H.O.T filter the one with out the biowheel and also a emperor 400 which i bought about 3 days ago . I thought this would be more than adequate filteration, But have noticed that although they are pumping because the fish is 5inches the waste is so heavy it just sinks to the bottom. I was wondering what i can do to get this sucked up. So i can get the crystal water that i want. Any reply is greatly appreciated and thank you for your time.

 

[lion_crazz]

Well, with that sized fish in a 55 gallon tank, weekly gravel vacuuming will be a neccessity to maintain safe nitrate levels in that tank.
What is your nitrate level?
Do you run carbon in your filters?

 

[nm reef]

Increased circulation will help keep the waste suspended in the water column so your mechanical filters can get it. But....with that type fish in that sized display mechanical filtration alone may not be adaquate.

 

[piccasotrigger]

I know eventually it will be to big for the tank but at the moment is is 1inch of fish for every 10 gallons of water. The circulation idea i was thinking about but i have sand and was thinking if i put a power head there the sand would all get sucked up by the filter is there anyway to prevent that.

 

[surfinusa]

Originally Posted by piccasotrigger
I know eventually it will be to big for the tank but at the moment is is 1inch of fish for every 10 gallons of water. The circulation idea i was thinking about but i have sand and was thinking if i put a power head there the sand would all get sucked up by the filter is there anyway to prevent that.
whoa where did you get that 1 inch of fish per 10 gallons its 1 inch of fish per 5 gallons

 

[lion_crazz]

Actually, both are not really accurate, but the 1 inch per 10 gallon rule is MUCH better because it does not over-populate the aquarium.
If I went by the 1 inch per 5 gallon rule, I could have a 12" panther grouper in a 60 gallon tank. That is obviously wrong because a foot long panther grouper is way too big for a 60 gallon, but that is what that rule deems "safe".
Inch per gallon rules do not take into account bioload, width of the fish, and how much it eats (and therefore, wastes).