maxthedog123

I have a 55g tank. Currently running a Whisper 60 and an Aquatech (Aquaclear?) 55. I am having trouble finding what the gallons per hour rating on these filters are. Does anyone know where I can look that up?

I saw this link that discusses the correct parameters for a planted aquarium, and it recommeneds 3 to 5 times the tank volume for filtration with little surface turbulence.

http://www.sfbaaps.com/articles/barr_02.html

I think I may have more than 3-5x the volume being filtered per hour. What does evereyone else use for filtration rate in a planted tank?

atmmachine816

Whisper 60=330gph
aquatech=330 I believe, it's a marinland bio-wheel without the wheel.

Currently you have 12gph. If it's not heavily planted then it's fine, if it is then it might be too much removing too much junk etc. Do you have a pic of your tank?

maxthedog123

This is a picture from the night I set it up - it's before it cleared up. Also, it's not a great picture - it's from my phone not my digitial camera. I've added 3 hygrophila corymbosa since then.

It didn't seem to need to cycle - got the gravel and filters from a friend. Added 6 tiger barbs and had 0 nitrite and 0 ammonia after nearly a week. Nitratrates were maybe 10ppm a couple of days ago before water change. My pH is 7.6. I need to retest my KH, but I think that's about 80ppm (~4.5 degrees) which is low. Looking at the CO2 chart above, that is 3ppm - well below the 10-20 desired range. (I also need to upgrade my lighting.)

I digress - the 2 filters do make a decent amount of water turbulence as soon as the water level dips even a 1/4 inch. Should I take one of the filters out?

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maxthedog123

There is also carbon in the filters, but as I mentioned, I got these from a friend.

Should I take out the carbon as well and just use the filter sponges?

atmmachine816

I would take the carbon out, not helpful in planted tanks. Main reason for carbon is to keep clear water in SW tanks, remove odors, remove tanins, and remove meds which I'm assuming you have none of. Your tank is not that heavily planted yet so I wouldn't be too worried about it. If your aiming for a dense cover of plants then yes I would take out the whisper, keep it for a spare. I would keep testing and if you need another filter I would buy a 100gph aquatec filter.

vin

Carbon won't hurt the plants at all.....I've got carbon in my planted tank and my plants grow out of control....Carbon is not just meant to keep water clear for SW tanks....It's used to polish water in all aquarium tanks. It helps to remove impurities and minimalize odor. It's also used to purify drinking water.......More often than not, the reason plants do not grow is because of low light levels and a lack of a food source. They also need to be thinned or pruned to promote healthy regrowth.

griffin

if you're doing plants, depending on what plants you have, the carbon could be bad. if you want to do dense planting and use ferts, the carbon will have a negative impact because it will tend to take up some of the nutrients you're putting in for your plants.

if you don't do ferts or you don't want dense planting, it's not such a big deal, but it's also not essential

vin

I guess it all depends upon how you do things....I'm moderately planted, run AC and h ave no plant growth issues....And I don't and have never fertilized.....

griffin

i'm guessing that's because you don't add fertilizers?

Butterfly

I always run 10 x the tank gallons. So on my 55G I run 550 GPH or better. I always have heavily planted tanks and don't notice any problem with the plants and the fish really do well. If there is so much turbulance that the fish are disturbed or have to fight the current then you know you have too much current.
Here is a discussion at www.plantgeek.net that asks and tries to answer your question.
carol