Wet/Dry filtration and new tank set up

[Brandonbjp]

I bought a 65 gallon tank from my Aunt and Uncle that Im just now starting to set up. It used to be a Salt water tank and has a wet/dry filtration system with a skimmer. Before they sold the tank to me they had it set up successfully for freshwater. I filled the tank tonight, but cant get the water to "syphon" into the U tube that goes from inside the tank to the outer "Pre Filter" box, and then ultimately into the wet/dry collection container underneath. I've tried sticking a hose into the U tube and syphoning myself but cant get a constant flow of water into the pre filter. Can someone point me in the right direction?
The tank, when set up at their house, always looked clean and spectacular. I want the same thing for the future African Cichlids that will be living in the tank. If anyone thinks that I should ditch this system for something different or more efficient and effective please let me know.
Thanks in advance for your help.

[Fishguy2727]

Try either a small air tube in the U-tube to suck the air out, or a powerhead to push water into the U-tube. Obviously the powerhead would just be to get it started, not permanent use.

[Brandonbjp]

Thank you Reptileguy.
I actually ended up getting it started last night by inserting the tube. I guess I just didnt have it pushed up into the U tube far enough to get good suction.
Now, another question. Since Im very new to the Wet/Dry filter system, how should I have the filtration media set up? Currently I have a pre filter "sponge" in the pre filter box, filter pad in the first level of the collection container, bio balls in the second level, and a charcoal bag on the bottom of the collection container. The charcoal bag is fully submerged. Since Im going to be adding Mbunas, mostly Kenyi's, Auratus', and Johanni's (sorry for the lamen's names) is this ok?
I have kept these cichlids before, in a 20 gallon tank, one of each species, but had a regular bio wheel type filter. Other than the fighting amongst themselves, I never had any problems with filtration or water quality or fish health.
I guess Im just a little concerned about the filtration system since I am not at all familiar with it. It doesnt seem to circulate and filter as much water as my current systems in my other 2 tanks. Penguin Bio Wheel 200 in the Dempsey tank and an Aquaclear 300 in the "docile" community tank.
Maybe its just because its not as loud and visible as the other filters...

[Fishguy2727]

Flow is important to the Mbunas, so if it is not high enough you can either add another filter (a nice big canister never hurt anyone) or at least a powerful powerhead. That layout sounds fine for the wet/dry. Are you going to fishless cycle? If you have yet to add any fish you want to strongly consider it.

[Brandonbjp]

I am going to cycle the tank with some fish, but I wanted to make sure that everything was working properly and that the tank was up to temperature.
I can adjust the flow rate of my pump but the pre filter, filling the collection container, cant keep the water at a suitable level if I turn the pump up anymore. Maybe I will look into a canister.

[Brandonbjp]

So I got the Wet/Dry to work properly, had the pump up too high at first. I have the proper flow adjusted now, and everything is up to my standard. Except for the water being a little cloudy. Ive put a few small danios in the tank (survivors from non hungry dempsey's), and all looks good. How long should I let the danios swim around un-bothered before I introduce about 10-15 Auratus, Johanni's, Zebras, yellow labs, and a couple pleco's? I have a 65 gallon tank.

[Fishguy2727]

No plecos. And if you are wanting to add all those at the same time you need to remove the danios and do fishless cycling with pure ammonia.

[NorthernBoy]

Definately no pleco in that tank. But if all the other fish are juvenals you should be ok cycling with all of them (if they are juvenals!). I would think twice about adding yellow labs with mbunas as well. Yellow labs do not cycle well either so leave them out of the mix entirely. I would also wait to add fish until you have stable kH and pH. While you are adjusting your tank you should go ahead with the fishless cycle as reptile says. either way you need to be a little pacient right now. I would add your malawi buffer(if you need it) and wait at least 3 days for the tank to balance. Then start your fishless cylce.

[Fishguy2727]

10-15 could throw off a 65 pretty badly, especially a new one. So they would have to be the little micro ones you can occasionally find. yellow labs are mbunas. In the 90 at work our 3-4" lab pushes around our 6" utakas and the mbunas that are larger than him/her, so although they are generally more passive than other mbunas, they can hold their own, especially if raised with the others.