Question about Running a 2nd Filter

If I add a 2nd power filter to my 55 gallon freshwater, does it need to be the same size as the other one?

 

Not really. A lot of people do, though.

 

What filter do you have now? You could always keep a sponge filter or 2 going. Then you have seeded media for another tank if need be. Like QT etc.

 

I have a Top Fin Silentstream 75 (I believe it is). It came with the aquarium from PetSmart. I just thought that having more filtration might be good with the Rainbows.

I have a Top Fin Silentstream 75 (I believe it is). It came with the aquarium from PetSmart. I just thought that having more filtration might be good with the Rainbows.

I have a sponge filter in it right now that I've been seeding for a 10 gallon QT tank. I don't really want to add any more inside the tank because it takes up room.

 

Understandable. No it doesn't have to be the same size. More filtration won't hurt anything.

 

Understandable. No it doesn't have to be the same size. More filtration won't hurt anything.

I had purchased a 10 gallon tank and sponge filter to quarantine my rainbows in. I put the sponge filter in the tank about 2 weeks ago. I am concerned that it won't be seeded enough by this Sunday when I go get my Rainbows. I am wondering if I will just be better off to go ahead and put them in the main tank with my cherry barbs.

Any advice on this?

 

What else is in the 55? How many and what type of rainbows?? How’s the pet store your buying from? How do the fish look now at the pet store. If sick looking fish in tank I would pick the best looking stronges ones and qt with 10 g changing water as needed. If they all look healthy I would just add to main tank. Do an extra water change the day after you get them.

 

is there a reason for a 2nd filter? What I mean is, is there a water quality issue or a water appearance issue you think another filter added would solve? it's like water changes, people mostly do them to do them, not because it's necessary necessarily, Another filter won't hurt anything, but, will it help anything though?

 

What else is in the 55? How many and what type of rainbows?? How’s the pet store your buying from? How do the fish look now at the pet store. If sick looking fish in tank I would pick the best looking stronges ones and qt with 10 g changing water as needed. If they all look healthy I would just add to main tank. Do an extra water change the day after you get them.

There are 10 cherry barbs and a mystery snail in the tank. I buy from PetSmart because that's the only place around my area -- and that's 45 minutes or so away. I'm not sure yet as to type. I'm looking at Boesman and Turquoise.

is there a reason for a 2nd filter? What I mean is, is there a water quality issue or a water appearance issue you think another filter added would solve? it's like water changes, people mostly do them to do them, not because it's necessary necessarily, Another filter won't hurt anything, but, will it help anything though?

No there's no water quality issue. I just didn't know if running 2 filters would make the tank any better or not. Just want the best quality tank water...if there's really no additional benefit, then I will save myself the money.
I do have another question though. I think I have decided to stock this 10 gallon after I finish using it to quarantine new fish for my 55 gallon and get something else for a hospital tank. Will the seeded sponge filter instantly cycle the tank or will I need to do a complete fishless cycle before stocking it?

 

There are 10 cherry barbs and a mystery snail in the tank. I buy from PetSmart because that's the only place around my area -- and that's 45 minutes or so away. I'm not sure yet as to type. I'm looking at Boesman and Turquoise.

No there's no water quality issue. I just didn't know if running 2 filters would make the tank any better or not. Just want the best quality tank water...if there's really no additional benefit, then I will save myself the money.
I do have another question though. I think I have decided to stock this 10 gallon after I finish using it to quarantine new fish for my 55 gallon and get something else for a hospital tank. Will the seeded sponge filter instantly cycle the tank or will I need to do a complete fishless cycle before stocking it?

It should. You still will need to keep an eye on it though when stocking it.

What are you keeping in the 10g for a filter?

 

It should. You still will need to keep an eye on it though when stocking it.

What are you keeping in the 10g for a filter?

I haven't set the tank up yet, but I have purchased an Aqua-Tech filter for 10-20 gallon tank. I was planning to do that Friday or Saturday in order to put the Rainbows in it Sunday. I wasn't sure about how long the bacteria would survive without fish in the tank and how far in advance to set it up.

Since I have had my cherry barbs for 2 weeks and there has been no sign of disease, I may just go ahead and put the Rainbows in with them. I want to do whatever is better for the Rainbows.

I'm not sure what I want to stock in the 10g. I have considered a dwarf gourami or 2 and/or maybe a small school of something else like neon tetras. I think they're beautiful fish, but I don't want to put them in my 55 due to the risk of dwarf gourami disease.

 

There are 10 cherry barbs and a mystery snail in the tank. I buy from PetSmart because that's the only place around my area -- and that's 45 minutes or so away. I'm not sure yet as to type. I'm looking at Boesman and Turquoise.

No there's no water quality issue. I just didn't know if running 2 filters would make the tank any better or not. Just want the best quality tank water...if there's really no additional benefit, then I will save myself the money.

yes, the parameters don't get better than perfect

if it's clear and catching the small particulates, and it's testing fine, don't fix it if it ain't broke. if you want to add a filter on the cheap, add a sponge filter and airpump, and buy one of those battery run airpumps for bait buckets, at least then it's going to solve a problem you might face down the road if the power goes out for a while.

 

yes, the parameters don't get better than perfect

if it's clear and catching the small particulates, and it's testing fine, don't fix it if it ain't broke. if you want to add a filter on the cheap, add a sponge filter and airpump, and buy one of those battery run airpumps for bait buckets, at least then it's going to solve a problem you might face down the road if the power goes out for a while.

Thanks for the advice!