Fluval 306 On A 55??

Hey there.
I currently have my Fluval 306 filtering a 38 gal tank and it's crystal clear.
Ammonia and Nitrites are 0; Nitrates are around 60.
I have 13 African Cichlids, 2 Bristle Nose Plecos, and 2 Synodontis.
It's apparent that they've outgrown the 38 and I'm thinking of getting a 55 to give them more room.
Is the Fluval 306 up to the task of filtering a 55, or should I get a 406 instead?
Also, does anybody know if the Aquastop Valve is exactly the same between the 2 filters?
If so, I can just plug and play the existing hoses into the 406.
Thanks

 

The general rule of thumb is your fish tank should turn over your water volume at least 4x per hour for best efficiency. All manufactures rate their pumps at the head level only. This means their ratings do not include head pump lift (canisters typically 3 feet), filter media baskets, filter media itself, tubing length, U bends from the input tube and output tubes or even the 90 degree bend for your spray bar. All this alone will reduce the flow by at least 25% right out of the box.

Now add all your media which is jam packed with course, medium, fine pads, bio ceramic rings, hard media like Matrix or lava rock and now it gets dirty and clogged in weeks. This adds another 25% reduction. So now you have a 50% restriction in water flow. Which now leaves you at 2x your flow rate and you need 4x to run correctly. This is why you should get a filter with at least 8x-10x flow rate (manufactures spec) because of this 50% reduction will bring you to the 4x recommended flow. Canister filters hold more media than a HOB, they can have a little less flow if you want (5x-6x) but 8x will cover both types of filters. Always best to have less water flow over your media than more, so the water stays in contact with the media longer to promote maximum bacteria growth and still keeps good water movement in your tank.

With that said…

Your new 55 should have about 440 gph to maybe about 550 gph.

 

Yes the aqua stops are the same I left a link to the fluval manual site this should help you in the future for cross checking parts and part numbers.
The 306 should give you the bare minimum on turn over with 206 gph filter circulation but the 406 would be a better choice the optimum route would be to use both 306 and 406 on the 55 gal if that is a option.
I use 2 fluvals on my 75gal a 204 and 404 and they keep it crystal clear and clean maintenance is I clean each filter every 4 months with one at a time so I have a filter to clean every 2 months. Water changes every Sunday amount depends on readings on my test which I do befor I do water change. Hope this makes sense for you.


https://ca-en.hagen.com/File/b3378f42-51ae-42e9-8c10-44fdc858d921

 

I am certain that the aqua stop is the same I just upgrade to a 406 from a 206

 

I have a fluval 406 and 2 fluval 206 on my 75G

 

Same filter, same bioload, but with larger water volume. In conjunction with keeping to your regular water change schedule, I think you'll be even better off.

 

Thanks everyone.
I just don't have the floor space to put 2 filters in the same area.
Yeah, my house is small.
Looks like I'll stick with the 38!

 

You don't need two filters that's just a suggestion you will get away with only one just the two will help with bioload on the larger tank.

 

Well you can alwa

Thanks everyone.
I just don't have the floor space to put 2 filters in the same area.
Yeah, my house is small.
Looks like I'll stick with the 38!

Well looks like you can always use the Fluval 306 and maybe add a HOB like a Tidal 75 to the new 55. That will work just fine.