How Much Filtration Is Enough?

[onelovie]

I have a 55 gallon freshwater tank with a canister filter but I was thinking of adding a second (power) filter. Is it possible to have too much filtration on a tank? It doesn't seem like it...but I'm relatively new to this hobby. Thanks for your help.

 

[Mike]

One of my 55's is utilizing a canister and power filter. I use the two filters with the intake tubes situated on opposite ends of the tank, because I have some larger fish in that tank (a few large angelfish and a pleco). It lets you have more surface area for biological filtration and the bonus is better mechanical filtration.

 

[onelovie]

Wow, thanks for the quick reply! I'm new to this site, this is awesome.

 

[Mike]

Hey onelovie, welcome to the site!

 

[Butterfly]

Usually you try to filter 10 times the volume of your tank, on the filter box it comes in it usually will say --- gph(gallons per hour). Two filters makes a world of difference.
Hope that helps.
Carol

 

[Jessie_Lynn]

Exacty... you should always have a more powerful filter for your tank. For example instead of getting a 10 gallon filter for your ten gallon tank you should get the next more powerful filter available maybe a 20 gallon filter.

 

[dano569]

this is very true I have 2 330 gph filters on both my 55's.it does make a lot of difference.on my 20 I have a 125 gph and then a whisper 5-15 which i'm guessing is a 60 gph.I have the smaller one running in case I ever have to use it on the hospital tank,it will already have the bacteria on it.[thanks butterfly and isabella for the advice] ;D 8) :-*

 

[wilfie]

short of causing a "Tsunami" in your tank

the more filtration (thus turbulence) you have the more surface turbulance
you'll have allowing more dispersion of carbon dioxide
ant more absorption of oxygen
this will give you a cleaner tank

and will allow you to add more fish

Wilfie

 

[Butterfly]

You still don't want to overstock your tank. While it may have a higher levels of oxygen concentration with more filtration an over stocked tank will have a higher level of disolved solids(or waste) and these will raise your Ammonia Nitrite and Nitrate levels which are lethal to your fish.
Carol