circulation pump?

[ChrisH]

I am taking advantage of petco's $1 a gallon tank deal to pick up a 20 long. Most likely I won't set this up for a long time but I eventually will house some cacatuoides in it along with serpae tetra and probably cores. Would a circulation pump be needed to create the necessary water flow on such a long tank? I have two hob filters, a top fin power ten and a fluvial c2 but I'm not sure if they would do the job. Also would a circulation pump like an aqueon 500 be too strong for apistogramma?

 

[regani]

most apistos prefer water with low flow and will not enjoy a strong current. I run all my breeding tanks with an air-driven sponge filter with the air going through fairly slowly. but any type of filter will do the trick provided the volume of the media is large enough to provide sufficient biological filtration. the flow can be turned down or diverted so that there are enough areas in the tank sheltered from the flow.

 

[Apistomaster]

I think the filters you have are fine for this tank.
About the Serpae Tetras. They are a very attractive species but they also act a lot like little piranhas. Look closely at their jaws and you will clearly see their teeth.
I f you wish to successfully breed the A. cacatuoides I'd recommend keeping some Nannostomus eques Pencilfish or some Hatchetfish because they will not prey on any fry the Apistos may produce. I would also use sponge or screens over the power filter intakes to prevent losing fry to the filters.