i have bought a filter i have a 2ft tank how much time i should run it?

i have four chiclids should i add a betta or a oscar in my tank
Answers:
Your filter needs to run 24/7 to be effective. The only possibly safe things to add into a chiclid tank are plecos, barbs, loaches, sharks and other chiclids.
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adding a betta not a good idea you should add a Oscar depending on what kind of cichlids you have and run the filter all day how big is the tank in gallons?

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1. Aquarium filtration should run continuously, 24/7.

2. Your aquarium is too small for an oscar. They're very large fish.

3. Your cichlids will kill a beta.

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it should run all the time.
unless the cichlids keep pace with the oscar, I wouldn't do it.
the oscar will void your tank of other fish and the betta may not be aggressive enough to keep the other cichlids at bay.

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Well, oscars get big - over 12 inches long. Even if you buy the oscar at the commonly available pet store size of two inches he'll grow up! You can really only have 2 full grown oscars by themselves in a 55 gallon tank. When they get to that size they will eat your yellow labs and any Bettas around. I would not get an oscar for this tank.

The Betta would probably get its fins nipped and get picked on./harassed by the yellow labs because bettas are peacful towards other fish and slow moving.

I would try to stick to other rift lake cichlids, especially since many other tropical fish do not have the same requirements as rift lake cichlids such as the high water pH.

Filtration should run 24/7.

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Is this a new tank? Or just a new filter? Either way you are probably going to see some changes in your water parameters. I would not add any new fish at this moment.

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Firstly the answer to your filter
there are two types of filters Bio or Under gravel filters and others are box/sponge type filters. Once the under gravel filter is put it has to run 24/7 otherwise there will be a backlash of bacteria and the aquarium will be infected. The box type filters can be switched off but recommended that filters run 24/7.

For keeping Oscars you need a minimum of at least 3ft x 2ft x 1.5 ft tank and Oscars are aggressive fish and do not fair well in community tanks.

Fighting Betta males are a shy fish and two males cannot be kept together or they will fight. If you want to keep a single male Betta recommended keep in a Fish bowl.