Is there such a thing as too much filtration?

When I got my 55 gallon tank, I bought the filters that a friend was running on his 55 gallon.  Right now I have a Whisper 30/60 (set at about 1/2 speed) and an Aquatech 55 running.  Is there such a thing as too much filtration?  I have a pretty good current going in there and my Tiger Barbs seem to really like it.  Also running a Red Sea system to put CO2 in the water during the daylight hours.

Thoughts?

 

I don't think there can be too much filtration. But I could be wrong.

 

I don't think there can be too much filtration, but you wanna be careful about too much current possibly

 

Do you have live plants in there? If so, that's probably too much filtration for the plants. If not...why are you adding CO2?

 

Yes, I have about 10 live plants in there. This is my first attempt at live plants, so I admit that I'm flying a bit blind right now (but reading A LOT).

I didn't do a scientific test on O2 or CO2 levels, I took the advice of the dude at the LFS who said he thought I needed CO2 based on my setup. From what I've read, the 2 filters are creating quite a bit of churn which will oxygenate but will lower CO2 in the water.

What makes sense for filtration/CO2 based on my setup?

 

Based on reading, I also thing I dont' have enough light for my plants. I have a brand new 40w 18,000K light that is supposed to be for plants, but at 55 gallon of water that is probably on the low side.

 

at 40 watts for 55 gal, you're really very low light. I think 18000 K is also a bit high for plants. usually I think you want to go for around 6700 K or 9783 K (I forget the exact number, but I know it starts with a 9).

I think the amount of filtration is fine as long as it doesn't cause too much surface current. that's what'll kill you on the co2. however, since you're very low light, you probably don't need co2. co2 is usually used for higher light systems with lots of plants.

 

I was just wondering how the 55 gallon setup w/ the 2 filters was doing... I just got a 55 gallon that has the whisper 30/60 as well, and was thinking about getting another filter to increase water currents for my african cichlids. how is this working out for you?

 

I've only heard about cichlid needing a lot of filteration. Personally, I have an Oscar in a 55 and have enough filteration for 160 gallon tank. It works like a charm, since osacrs are notoriously messy.

Also, as far as CO2 goes...10 live plants don't need a lot of CO2. I have that many in my tank, and haven't added CO2 yet. With the introduction of Ody, the Osacr, I won't be planting any more in there for awhile, to see how well he reacts to them.

If your plants don't need a lot of light....they won't need much CO2.

 

Hello friends,

I wanted to know if there is a such thing as too much filtration?
My thoughts on this are no—I mean better water quality is…better right?

Reason for this is because I was able to purchase two Aquaclear filters from a guy on LetGo and there are slots for two filter on my tank ( these are already installed as I’m cycling the tank right now.)
Also, I’m installing my sponge filter into my tank tomorrow because it’s been sitting inside my local fish store’s sump for a few day and that’s going to really help kickstart my bacteria cycle.

Tank: 55 Gallon going to be filled with Clown Loaches. (Upgrading to 150 gallon next year or so when they need a bigger tank.)
Filters: Two AquaClear 70 and one Bacto- Surge sponge filter.

Thanks!

 

You can't over filter a tank, just have too much flow and start blowing your fish around. Which Aquaclear models did you get?

 

The more filtration you have, the better.

 

You can't over filter a tank, just have too much flow and start blowing your fish around. Which Aquaclear models did you get?

I have the AquaClear 70

I have heard that Clown Loaches like a lot of water flow so I guess that’s good too.

 

HI and welcome to the forum.

Also, I’m installing my sponge filter into my tank tomorrow because it’s been sitting inside my local fish store’s sump for a few day and that’s going to really help kickstart my bacteria cycle.

The bacteria grow in the filter media and not the water - If I were you, I would put the sponge from your LFS in with the media of your filters. By setting up the sponge filter in your tank, you will cycle your tank to the ability of the sponge filter, but it will still take a while for the other two filters to cycle.

I wanted to know if there is a such thing as too much filtration?
My thoughts on this are no—I mean better water quality is…better right?

There is actually a problem of over filtration. The thumb rules are 3 times the flow rate for a canister filter and 5-6 times for a HOB i.e. if you have a 50 gallon tank, then you need a HOB that has a throughput of 300g/h or a canister filter with a throughput of 150g/h.

The thing about filters is that they perform two-three functions:

1. mechanical filter to remove particles and debris from the water - there is no limit on how much mechanical filtration you have unless of course the current in the tank produced by the water flow in the filters produces a tidal wave in the tank and your fish just cannot cope with it.
2. chemical filtration - if you use something like active carbon to extract chemicals out of the water
3. bilogical filtration - that is having bacteria that will oxidise ammonia into nitrites and another set of bacteria that will change nitrites to nitrates. If you overdo it, then you get to the point where you need very little bacteria in the filter to cope with the amount of ammonia & nitrites because the flow is so high. The filter then becomes fairly unstable as it cannot cope with sudden changes in the amount of ammonia it has to deal with.

The other thing to consider is the water flow (current) in the tank. If you have too much filtration, then the water moves fast and not all fish like that environment.

And finally, keep in mind that the specs that filter manufacturers give on their filters can be misleading. Some give the water flow for an empty (no loaded) filter i.e. the pump through put while others give the true throughput with loaded media...... and of course when your filter is completely clean it will have a certain flow rate and once it starts getting bogged up, the flow rate will flow. In a real-life situation I have measure my flow to drop by 50% and then I need to change the floss and rinse the sponge media.

I hope you find this useful

 

I have the AquaClear 70

I have heard that Clown Loaches like a lot of water flow so I guess that’s good too.

They do like their flow, are you aware that they play dead sometimes?

 

They do like their flow, are you aware that they play dead sometimes?

That is true.

 

ThatMikeHill
I started with Aquaclears. Good Choice. Agree, it will be fine. I also keep a sponge filter in the tanks.
Good Luck!

 

They do like their flow, are you aware that they play dead sometimes?

I have heard and saw some pics

 

I have heard and saw some pics

Cool, just making sure

 

With those two HOBs you will be at 600gph turnover rate. That should work pretty well.

The sponge from your LFS you can put in the tank or in the filter for now as it won't matter with regard to bacteria colony start. As long as it is in the water and you have a good circulation ratio then the colony will jumpstart and your media will be a grow bed. Saying you have to put it in the filter is just not true, for starting tanks I frequently just seed a sump with a bag of lavarock and presto chango its cycled almost immediately.

As far as rules of thumb go with water turn over, those are as about as scientific as the "inch per gallon" "rule".

Flowrate is important yes but bioload capability is more important an circulation ratio is more important. If you increase the turbulence within the tank then the filtration capability will be much more enhanced than worrying about 300gph or 700gph or 10x or 3x. If you use a sump then installing a venturI chamber in the sump will enhance this even more.

 

I recently purchased a 90g that came with a fluval Fx4 canister and two Fluval 110 HOBs. All of that is roughly rated for 450g. My question is, is there a point where it is overkill and may become harmful, or at least is there a point where it does make any difference other than using more power and creating more current?

 

People who tend to keep cichlids love over filtration due to the number of fish they cram in to avoid/spread out aggression. It comes to a point on a standard community tank where its just flow and probably not needed pending the fish you keep, the fx4 would probably be sufficient. Something like angelfish would struggle in that tank with all of those filters. So I'd say its harmful/stressful for certain fish.

 

I don't think there can be too much filtration, mainly because I don't see how having more ammonia-eating bacteria could ever be a bad thing. A lot of people recommend over-filtering your tanks to give you some wiggle room for stocking and to prevent ammonia spikes.

The only reason tons of filtration would cause any stress would probably be flow/current related.

 

I can't see it creating a problem unless there is too much current.

 

i always go by "you can never have too much filtration, but you can have too much flow"

 

Not harmful at all. There's probably a point where it's overkill and you're paying for the unnecessary wattage and have additional filters to clean but I do get some peace of mind having at least 2 filters per tank. In case a part breaks on one I know that it's not a disaster. The remaining filter will maintain the tank well enough until I get the other one fixed.

 

I don't really see any problem with over filtering besides current. The only other thing that even has a remote chance of happening is, all of the bacteria start up in your filters and then there isn't enough ammonia and some die off of starvation. And there is the slightest of chance that they all die of starvation at almost the same time. That is the only thing that could probably ever happen, and is like .00001% chance of happening.

 

Yeah it seems fine, just keep low flow in the tank. My 40 gal filtration is rated to 150-300gal

 

I know this is an old thread but I don’t think so because I wayyyyy overfilter my tank in my 75 I run a canister and 3 sponge filters along with a hang on the back and it seems fine lol

 

What fish are you keeping OP?

 

I don't think there is such a thing unless you are running like a Fluval FX6 on a 10g. That would be really dumb tho lol

 

It depends. if you keep a betta or other nano fish, yes you can over filter. But if it is cichlids then there is a max to filtration but you can def over filter more.

 

I agree you can never have to much filtration,but you can have to much of a current,its always good to have more then what you would need for a tank,but I agree with the other post also if you where to use a FX6 on a 10 gal that would be waaaayyy overkill and stress the fish out.i also noticed that when fish sleep they tend to pick a spot in the tank that has less flow and still water,to much of a flow would would bother them imo.

 

What fish are you keeping OP?

Haven’t set the tank up, at the time it was going to be SACA cichlids, but now I’m thinking of going for an African River Biotope

 

Well, the more flow the better then. That sounds like fun. Have you figured out any way to get the current going in one direction?
What kindof stocking would you do?