Too Much Filtration? Is there such a thing, within reason?

Is there such a thing, within reason? I currently have a HOB filter running at 300gph on the back of my 36g bowfront. I realized my lid has a cutout space for an additional filter, and I'd like to add a second HOB, or a small internal canister with a few kinds of media in it. The second HOB would probably be rated at ~200gph or so, and would be used to quickstart a quarantine tank when I get around to setting a 20 or 29 up for that purpose. Any downside to this? The fish in this tank are fine with a strong water flow.

 

There is no such thing as too much filtration. There can be too much water flow however. If your fish are fine with the flow, go with it (the flow that is).

Also, please remember that while it may say it is rated for 300gph, the actual flow is probably half of that due to lift from the intake, going through the media, etc.

 

Thank you! Also, there is another very similar thread on this subject in this forum, so this thread can be deleted or combined with that one.

 

Is there such a thing, within reason? I currently have a HOB filter running at 300gph on the back of my 36g bowfront. I'd like to add a second HOB, or a small internal canister with a few kinds of media in it. The second HOB would probably be rated at ~200gph or so, and would be used to quickstart a quarantine tank when I get around to setting a 20 or 29 up for that purpose. Any downside to this? The fish in this tank are fine with a strong water flow.

Hello nbal...

You could add another filter, but the water wouldn't be much cleaner. If you're in the habit of removing and replacing most of the tank water weekly, you don't need a filter with more than a gph of 150 for your 36 gallon tank. That's because the filter, besides adding oxygen to the water, is simply filtering water that's already clean. But, if you have the money buy a couple of filters. The tank water won't be any cleaner, but the water will have a good mixture of oxygen.

As for a quarantine tank, if you keep the water in the main tank especially clean and maintain the filter system, the fish in there will be healthy. And, if you do a good job selecting your fish, you don't need to quarantine them. The chances of anything infecting a healthy fish in pure water conditions is very remote.

Old

 

Adding a sponge filter is the easiest method of having a cycled filter ready to go for use in a QT. Also helps eliminate your cycle crashing if something happened to your main filter or its media.

I like ATI Hydro Sponge filters. Models with "Pro" in the name are made with a coarse foam sponge, that allow for more water flow through them. Jehmco, Ken's Fish are the best online retailers for ATI products in regards to both price and selection. For some odd reason, ATI products are of limited choice and higher price on Amazon.

I run an ATI sponge filters in all of my tanks. They also make great sponge pre-filters that attach to the intake tubes of HOB's and canisters. Their Hydro-Max III model is great for that.

 

Thanks islandvic. I'm going to add a sponge prefilter to my 45 (currently running an HOB rated to 300gph) and also add a small internal canister filter (nothing expensive or fancy, just to add supplemental filtration) to boost overall filtration in that tank. For the 36 I will probably end up installing a sponge filter if I don't go for a small HOB secondary filter on that one.

 

Petsmart sells a 3-pack of sponge refills for one of their internal filters.

I find them perfect to use a pre-filter on the intake tube. They have also worked very well for me.

Top Fin Silenstream Intake Assembly w/ Top Fin Sponge Filter

• Islandvic
• Dec 24, 2018

Top Fin Silenstream Intake Assembly, Top Fin Sponge Filter and zip tie (impeller is upside in...

Top Fin Silenstream w/ Sponge Pre-Filter

• Islandvic
• Dec 24, 2018

 

That's what I just got! Also adding some Biomax to my HOB filters now.

 

Yep, those work good.

Occasionally I will pull the whole intake tube and swish the end around in a bucket of tank water, leaving the sponge zip-tied in place.

I try not to mess with removing it from the strainer, unless it's really mucked up.

I use a zip-loc bag and reach into the tank and slip the sponge pre-filter into the zip-loc.

Then I lift everything out. The zip-loc bag helps retain all the muck that may dislodge and keep it from floating around in the tank.