Adding 2nd Aqueon Quietflow to 20 gal tank? Side-by-side OK?

Hi! I got a 20 gallon aqueon tank and it came with a quietflow 10. I spent the next 2 days reading up on cycling/filter media/etc. so I feel like I'm ready to start cycling before I grab fish.

However, it sounds like the QF 10 that came with the tank is the bare minimum filtration? So I was thinking the easiest thing would be to add an extra 10 in there. However the hood of the tank only has an aperture for the filter in the center. I can expand it so it is twice as wide, and therefore fit the 2 filters in side-by-side, but wondered if that was going to cause any issues (vs. them being at opposite ends of the tank/etc? See pic for where I'd stick the extra filter.

--Sam

 

Yes, they will work fine side by side. It would be similar to having one larger filter in the center.

 

What are you going to stock with? The amount of current in the tank with a second HOB is something to consider depending on which fish you are getting. You could also "trick out" your one filter by adding a sponge to the intake to increase media and/or replacing the cartridge with different filter media. Or add an internal filter or sponge filter rather than a second HOB. I have the same tank and that HOB (with sponge over intake and filter cartridge replaced with coarse sponge and filter floss) is fine for me.

 

Hi mrsambarlow
Welcome to fishlore .
Yes two fil can be used side by side. Depending on if you intend to stock with extremely long finned fish , like the man made long finned betta that would not be good at swimming.

Yes you need to fill that gap in the lid with something or fish will eventually jump out it.

The reason I reply.
As it’s a new tank that has not really begun to be cycled toss out the cartridges NOW and replace with a chuck of sponge sheet cut to size. They last many years where as the cartridge only lasts 8 months or so before falling apart.

Whatever you decide to use for filter media it is not to be replaced for many many months/ years.

 

Thanks for the replies! Yes, I'd figured out that I need to have my head around the filters *before* I start the cycle so that's I'm locked into something maintainable. I have the media arriving tomorrow so I will start the cycle with the filters set up with that. Haven't locked in the fish yet -- I saw a small black ghost at the LFS and they were being encouraging about that, but 10min research shows me that I'd need to move it to a new tank pretty quickly!

 

I saw a small black ghost at the LFS and they were being encouraging about that

As in a knife fish? Did they know you have a 20 gallon? If so... oye I'd personally have a hard time going back there.

 

While you are cycling the new tank and thinking about what species to have you might ask your “ best” local aquarium shop about your local water supply. Finding out if your local water supply is hard or soft ( has lots of minerals or very few) may help you decide on what you can keep now and in the future. While soft water ( Amazon river) fish can make do with any amount of minerals ( hard water) fish from high mineral content water or most livebearers will die without the necessary minerals.

If you are lucky you have water that can be a home for almost any fish except African cichlids ( very hard water). Yes it’s possible to add powdered minerals to any water if you want African cichlids.

Its not extremely important that you do this research but it may save you losing fish . Understanding minerals in water is only relevant for those of us who have almost none in their town water supply .

 

As in a knife fish? Did they know you have a 20 gallon? If so... oye I'd personally have a hard time going back there.

My 48 hour deep device into aquariums after an impulse purchased tank has led me to believe there is generally a lot of bad/silly advice/instruction in this space by manufacturers and pet stores? Not always in the interest of the fish or the customer, but I guess long term they make more money?

 

My 48 hour deep device into aquarium's after an impulse purchased tank has led me to believe there is generally a lot of bad/silly advice/instruction in this space by manufacturers and pet stores? Not always in the interest of the fish or the customer, but I guess long term they make more money?

Yes exactly. Which is why I choose not to fund the blatantly money grabbing stores that are trying to make profit at the expense of the livestock they are caring for and selling!

 

Am I doing this right?

* I added a pre-fillter sponge to the inlet.
* I removed the carbon filter cartridge and replaced it with 1 piece of Aquatic Experts Aquarium Filter Pad followed by 1 piece of Polishing Filter Pad, reusing the blue cradle
* Then I replaced the ammonia pad with a bag of Aquaclear biomax

I tried a few other bits but it seemed to cause the water to back up too much and I guess that was going to circumvent the filtering.

 

Am I doing this right?

* I added a pre-fillter sponge to the inlet.
* I removed the carbon filter cartridge and replaced it with 1 piece of Aquatic Experts Aquarium Filter Pad followed by 1 piece of Polishing Filter Pad, reusing the blue cradle
* Then I replaced the ammonia pad with a bag of Aquaclear biomax

I tried a few other bits but it seemed to cause the water to back up too much and I guess that was going to circumvent the filtering.

Looks great!

 

Looks great!

Thanks! Onwards!

 

It looks like you have to much stuffed in the filter?

If the flow begins to slow as the water backs up when the filter begins to become a little dirty it MIGHT lead to issues ?

As long as the water can bypass the overflow and still flow into the tank when blocked it’s possible ok?

It sure looks full in the picture?

 

mrsambarlow , here is a link to a long thread on the forum regarding adding filter media.

Diy Media Guide For Top Fin Silenstream, Aquaclear And Other Hob Filters | Aquarium Filter Forum | 385506

I think you are definitely on the right track with the additions you made

Only thing I can suggest further is to add a sponge filter off Amazon powered by an air filter. A Tetra Whisper 40 would work well for example.

Adding a sponge filter is an excellent way to add secondary filtration and keep cycle going incase you lose too much beneficial bacteria when you clean the main filter.