Filter Help

Wyapit

I have a 29 gallon coffee table aquarium that I am trying to get set up soon. I just recently purchased the Marineland Sponge Filter from Amazon thinking this would do a good job for several cichlids (don't have the fish yet - thinking yellow labs and maybe damasoni). I do need a submersible filter considering there is no option for a filter that hangs over the side. This sponge filter does not have carbon in it. I read that this filter can handle tough jobs. Would this be a bad filter to use over time for the cichilds? If so, what submersible filter would be best? Any recommendations or reviews on the filter I have purchased? (Also, I would like a filter that is fairly quiet considering it will be in the living room.)

orb4me

What is a coffee table aquarium? sits in or on the coffee table? Where do all the wires go? There will be 3, right? Please post pictures when you get it up and running

Wyapit

It is an aquarium that also serves as a coffee table. The base consists of the aquarium and has a glass top that slides off for cleaning. The wires get hidden underneath my rug. (I had to cut a small hole in the rug so it can slide underneath.)

jwurm

That's cool... but it seems like the easiest way to view them is looking straight down (unless you plan on laying on the floor)... I think I prefer my tanks at around eye level

RustyNut

Bad move! That is very dangerous as wires under carpet can wear much faster and become exposed causing a considerable fire risk! There are plastic cord "tracks" that they use in office spaces that will prevent tripping over the cord and allows routing without fire hazards.

As for your stocking plan... Demasoni are colonial fish, you need to have only 1 or 12+ for it to work.... also I really don't recommend mbuna in anything smaller than a 3ft tank and then only as a single species tank. Your tank would be better suited for small Tanganyikan Cave Spawners, or shelldwellers.

You could also do Neotropical cichlids, or some african riverine species.