maxthedog123

When I got my 55 gallon tank, I bought the filters that a friend was running on his 55 gallon.* Right now I have a Whisper 30/60 (set at about 1/2 speed) and an Aquatech 55 running.* Is there such a thing as too much filtration?* I have a pretty good current going in there and my Tiger Barbs seem to really like it.* Also running a Red Sea system to put CO2 in the water during the daylight hours.

Thoughts?

poppet

I don't think there can be too much filtration. But i could be wrong.

griffin

i don't think there can be too much filtration, but you wanna be careful about too much current possibly

darkwolf29a

Do you have live plants in there? If so, that's probably too much filtration for the plants. If not...why are you adding CO2?

maxthedog123

Yes, I have about 10 live plants in there. This is my first attempt at live plants, so I admit that I'm flying a bit blind right now (but reading A LOT).

I didn't do a scientific test on O2 or CO2 levels, I took the advice of the dude at the LFS who said he thought I needed CO2 based on my setup. From what I've read, the 2 filters are creating quite a bit of churn which will oxygenate but will lower CO2 in the water.

What makes sense for filtration/CO2 based on my setup?

maxthedog123

Based on reading, I also thing I dont' have enough light for my plants. I have a brand new 40w 18,000K light that is supposed to be for plants, but at 55g of water that is probably on the low side.

griffin

at 40 watts for 55 gal, you're really very low light. i think 18000 K is also a bit high for plants. usually i think you want to go for around 6700 K or 9783 K (i forget the exact number, but i know it starts with a 9).

i think the amount of filtration is fine as long as it doesn't cause too much surface current. that's what'll kill you on the co2. however, since you're very low light, you probably don't need co2. co2 is usually used for higher light systems with lots of plants.

mlinden84

I was just wondering how the 55 gallon setup w/ the 2 filters was doing... i just got a 55 gallon that has the whisper 30/60 as well, and was thinking about getting another filter to increase water currents for my african cichlids. how is this working out for you?

darkwolf29a

I've only heard about cichlid needing a lot of filteration. Personally, I have an Oscar in a 55 and have enough filteration for 160 gallon tank. It works like a charm, since osacrs are notoriously messy.

Also, as far as CO2 goes...10 live plants don't need a lot of CO2. I have that many in my tank, and haven't added CO2 yet. With the introduction of Ody, the Osacr, I won't be planting any more in there for awhile, to see how well he reacts to them.

If your plants don't need a lot of light....they won't need much CO2.