Filtration Concern

[jeeves_17]

I have a 55 gallon African Malawii Cichlid tank. I let the tank cycle for about 2 months before I added the fish about a week ago. I currently have a Fluval Canister 204 as the primary filtration system. I've had this filtration system for over ten years and I'm aware that the model has been discontinued. Last time I went to the Local Fish store they told me I could consider possibly run a dual filtration system with also a power filter (Fluval C4 Power Filter) to reduce the cleaning. I've pasted below the two filtration links to show what they are. I just wanted a second or even third opinion about this idea before I go forward. P.S The Fluval C4 Power Filter is on sale at my local fish store at $27.97 atm so if this works, I wanted to pick it up before it's gone.

Thanks in advance!

http://www.marinedepot.com/Hagen_Fl...er_100_Gallons-Hagen-HG10205-FIFRCFUH-vi.html

http://www.petsmart.ca/fish/filters...catid-300019?_t=pfm=category&pfmvalue=faceted

Take Care!

 

[Rbishop]

Canister for sure for me.

Curious.. how did you cycle it for two months?

 

[jeeves_17]

I've had 5 Zebra Danios since Week 3 after water parameters settled. I do have two Java Fern plants in the tank during the first two months but I shifted them out about a day after I introduced the Cichlids (Week 9) because I noticed they weren't going to survive. Would be open to any ideas to how else I could have done this.

 

[FreshyFresh]

IMO, it's fine establishing a nitrogen cycle with zebra danios provided you are measuring your water parameters often (with something like the API Master Test Kit) and are doing water changes when ammonia is readable.

There's nothing wrong with the filters you mention, but I'd go with an AquaClear if you want a hang-on-back unit. As far as canisters, you can't beat Eheim classics.