Coffey5030

I am using an over the side filter for my 55g tank (aqueon55) my tank is 4 feet long and it is at one end. would it be wise to buy another filter for the opposite end?

sirdarksol

Probably a good idea to do something to get the water moving. The only way you can over filter a tank is if you produce too much current. You could buy another HOB filter, or just put a powerhead in one side or another.
This doesn't mean you'll be able to put extra fish in, as no amount of filtering will make extra swimming room or reduce the amount of nitrates.

HatchetHaven

It's impossible to overfilter - but possible to have to much current!

Coffey5030

How much current is too much current? I now have 2 H.O.B filters (one at each end).

MissMTS

That should not be too much current. Usually the amount of current that is appropraiate depends on what fish you have in your tank. Some fish prefer a strong current, while some prefer none at all. I have at least two filters on all of my tanks. I think that you will be fine with the two filters.

HatchetHaven

Depends on the king of fish, for instance, a hillstram loach enujoys extreme currents, but thois simply is not true for Betta, who originate in rice paddies!

sirdarksol

Keep an eye on your gourami. If they start looking sluggish or exhausted, they might be getting tired out by the two filters. If this happens, just add something a little bit in front of one of the filter output spouts to baffle the current. This will created dead areas around the tank.
I don't think the gourami will have problems, but they aren't built to be the most streamlined swimmers, so they might.