How Much Filtration Is Enough?

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

Hey onelovie, welcome to the site!

 

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

 

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.

 

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) :-*

 

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

 

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