Switching to canister filter, would this be ok?

I'm having problems with my Elite Stingray submersible , my fish keep jamming themselves behind it and it's just an overall pain design wise and takes up too much space for the size of my tank, I really dislike it.
So I'm switching to an external canister , going to purchase it today! I understand the LPH/GPH just wondering if a 650L/142GPH would be too much for a 20G heavily planted freshwater tank?
I can't seem to find anything in between in my LFS it's either too low or a little high, I figured higher is better than inadequate right? Or should I seek something out online?

Also! bonus question Lol
Does Alfa grog (wont let me type that word for some reason?) help with KH at all? it's the media that comes with the filter and I was just curious as my KH is still a little low and causing wobbly PH , I was going to add limestone chippings for it but don't want to if the Alfa grog will have an effect on KH/GH also.

Thank you so much in advance for any replies! And apologies for my newbie questions

 

Flow rates 7x more than your tank size isn't bad at all. I would go ahead and grab it. And besides, you could always add taps to your outlet to reduce flow rate of you so desire.

 

Ah! excellent, thank you
I've never used a canister filter before so I just wanted some opinions. I didn't even know you could reduce the flow rate haha! even better, just in case my fish don't enjoy the current.

 

Yup! Most canisters would come with taps at both the inlet and outlets. You'll need to turn them off when you do filter maintenance. Use those to control your flow rate.

 

I don't think the Alrog will increase your KH. The website says it's inert. I'd still add limestone.

 

Yup! Most canisters would come with taps at both the inlet and outlets. You'll need to turn them off when you do filter maintenance. Use those to control your flow rate.

Ok Perfect! Thank you, I'll make sure to read through the manual anyway , I'm accident prone and pretty sure I'd end up drowning my carpet somehow otherwise

I don't think the Alrog will increase your KH. The website says it's inert. I'd still add limestone.

Ok! thank you
I bought the limestone after you recommended it on another thread I had, sad part was I didn't have enough room in that silly filter to get my KH above 3, this one has far more room so I'll be sure to get it to 5 or 6 this time!

 

If you're not super particular about it, you could always do what I do, and dump the limestone straight to the substrate. Just maybe hide it behind ornaments and plants. It'll take longer to be effective, but works as well nonetheless

 

You can even modify the out put from one large one to a spray bar across the surface (some canisters even come with the option). That will help spread the current with plants.

 

If you're not super particular about it, you could always do what I do, and dump the limestone straight to the substrate. Just maybe hide it behind ornaments and plants. It'll take longer to be effective, but works as well nonetheless

Oh! Excellent, I don't mind doing that at all, I have river gravel so you probably couldn't even notice it if it was just buried a little

You can even modify the out put from one large one to a spray bar across the surface (some canisters even come with the option). That will help spread the current with plants.

Perfect! thank you
I actually opted out of the original canister I was going to get. After reading some reviews on it , it doesn't sound very trustworthy, it was Jebao brand .
What do you think of maybe the FLUVAL 106 instead? It's 125 Gal/ 550 LPH so A little less powerful but from what I've read , many more can vouch for it. Would this be adequate or a better option?
I've heard a lot of good things about Eheim too, but those are a lot pricier impe

 

Fluval is a good brand and the output is very easily controlled with a single master valve. However the 206 would be better. Overfilter is always better.

 

Ok! thank you, I'll grab the 206 instead then , first thing tomorrow

 

Btw RedSolace, if you find that your source water's pH or KH is noticeably lower than what you desire, it'll be a good idea to have the limestone within the canister. The agitation and aeration from the water flow really speeds up the buffering effects of the limestone.

I keep the larger limestone chunks scattered in my substrate just for long term, zero maintenance buffering. But because my tap water has close to zero kH, I also add it to my filter to "quickly" equilibrate the parameters during water changes.

I have a intense paranoia with KH because I had a crash once, and it caused some ammonia mayhem

 

Ok! thank you, I'll grab the 206 instead then , first thing tomorrow

If you haven't already got the cannister, you may take a look at an aquaclear or fluval c series HOB filter. Cannisters can be expensive and a little overkill for only a 20gal tank. These specific HOBs mimic cannisters with the separate spaces for each type of filtration. Although a cannister will allow you to scale up in tank size easier (if you predict this in your future )

 

+1 for an aquaclear. Love those hobs. You won't find another hob with bigger media compartments. I have mine stuffed with the coarse sponge it comes with, about 70ml of Purigen and a fat bag of seachem matrix.

That said, I would say better to over filtrate than under. I run a Ecco pro 300 on my 20 gallon hahahahahahahahaha

 

Btw @, if you find that your source water's pH or KH is noticeably lower than what you desire, it'll be a good idea to have the limestone within the canister. The agitation and aeration from the water flow really speeds up the buffering effects of the limestone.

I keep the larger limestone chunks scattered in my substrate just for long term, zero maintenance buffering. But because my tap water has close to zero kH, I also add it to my filter to "quickly" equilibrate the parameters during water changes.

I have a intense paranoia with KH because I had a crash once, and it caused some ammonia mayhem

Oh yes, unfortunately my tap water also has little to no KH or GH for that matter, I have very soft water x.x
I took your advice though and also added limestone to one of my canister trays .
It's only been overnight and the KH has already increased to 4! So I'll keep monitoring it over the next few days and see whether I'll need to add more or not.
My GH hasn't raised any higher either so that's excellent too! Currently at KH 4, GH 6.
Thank you guys for all your advice , it's helped a bunch!

If you haven't already got the cannister, you may take a look at an aquaclear or fluval c series HOB filter. Cannisters can be expensive and a little overkill for only a 20gal tank. These specific HOBs mimic cannisters with the separate spaces for each type of filtration. Although a cannister will allow you to scale up in tank size easier (if you predict this in your future )

Oh! Thank you for the advice. I did however nab the fluval 206, so I've got that hooked up now. The water is noticeably clearer already! not that is was cloudy before but it's crystal clear now! And I'm glad you said that as I do plan on upgrading to a 30 gal long for my lil guys soon , so this filter can be used with that tank and still be over

+1 for an aquaclear. Love those hobs. You won't find another hob with bigger media compartments. I have mine stuffed with the coarse sponge it comes with, about 70ml of Purigen and a fat bag of seachem matrix.

That said, I would say better to over filtrate than under. I run a Ecco pro 300 on my 20 gallon hahahahahahahahaha

Hahaha! I'm glad I'm not the only one . With the new 206 I'm WAY over, probably about the overkill as you and your Ecco haha! but imo as long as the fish are happy and can swim fine , all is good eh?

Again thank you everyone, you've all bee an huge help and I really appreciate it!