Two Or One Filter(s)?

I have a 20G long tank and I currently have an AquaClear 20 filter for it. I want more filtration so should I get another AquaClear 20 (run two filters) or should I get one new filter that has more filtering capabilities? I’m afraid that one strong filter will create too much current. I have 10 young Tiger Barbs and 7 young Bronze Corydoras (plus live plants).

Thanks!

 

I'd go with another ac 20. you won't need much more gph and you can only have as much biological filtration according to your stocking level

 

Try a at 250 gph but can reduce to 80% or 50 gph at 10% decrements. Now just pick what you want.

 

I keep two or more filters on all our aquarium but the 10 gallon Betta.

 

Awesome, thanks a lot! I’ll go for the double filters. Should I put half of the old Bio-Nodes in the new filter and add new Bio-Nodes to the old filter?

 

Either would work since the current filter can already support the tank

 

Awesome, thanks a lot! I’ll go for the double filters. Should I put half of the old Bio-Nodes in the new filter and add new Bio-Nodes to the old filter?

it wouldn't be necessary, but you can it if you want to.

 

You can also add a sponge filter if you're concerned with increasing the flow in the tank.

If you want to get a second HOB though, either the AC20 or an AC30 will work great.

I have 2x AC30's on my 20 gallon tall.

I just ramp back the flow slightly and all is good.

If you Amazom Prime, the AC30 is $22.86

Or just get a cheap Top Fin 20 HOB for $10-$15 and omit the cartridge and shove a large sponge it's reservoir.

My Top Fin 20 on my 10 gallon works great.

They have adjustable flow outputs also.

 

UPDATE:

I got another AquaClear 20 and the Tiger Barbs seems to be constantly swimming in place, the Bronze Corydoras are getting pushed around. Well, that's when both filters are at 100% (intake). When both filters are on the lowest, it seems to be better but they aren't the same as when there was only one filter.... They used to always play with each other towards the center of the tank and now they are focused on swimming. I will try adding a sponge to the outtake tomorrow and see how they do.

Will leaving both filters' intake at the lowest setting affect how much the tank is filtered?

I have 2x AC30's on my 20 gallon tall.

Did you have any flow current issues? Were they set to 100% on the intake?

 

At the lowest setting should not be an issue, it will just take longer to filter the tank completely.

Filtration is the name of the game....... Your water can’t be too clean.

 

Although you can't have too clean there is a point that more filtration is a waist. Bio load wise once you acheive 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite anything beyond that is unneeded. Same with mechanical filtration once you have clear water your simply pumping clear water threw your filter.

 

Trust_Power, no I don't keep my 2 AC30's on max.

I keep them at around 1/2 flow.

But mine is a 20 high, so it's taller than your 20 high. Mine may be easier to disapate the discharge because of the depth?

You may want to raise the water level to right at the level of the filter's discharge chute.

That way, the exiting water doesn't plunge into the tank, thus reducing the current flowing around in the tank.

Also, when the Aquaclear's intake tube is pivoted over to reduce flow, it does this by off setting the end of the intake tube over the impeller housing.

This allows the impeller housing to intake part of the flow from the intake tube and part of the water that has already been filtered from the reservoir.

It basically is causing the filter to bypass internally, so some of the water passes through the media basket more than once.

So even though the filter isn't intaking as much water, the water it does pull in gets filtered extra.

 

Hi
I just saw this.

I want more filtration

Why do you think you need more filtration?

This 100 gallon 6 foot long tank runs on 2 sponge filters powered by a small air pump.

 

Hi
I just saw this.


Why do you think you need more filtration?

This 100 gallon 6 foot long tank runs on 2 sponge filters powered by a small air pump.
View attachment 523329

Hey NickAu. From looking through a lot of threads and other forums, most people say "more filtration is better" so that is the direction I'm going towards. I am also using a calculator () and with my current stock, it recommends a bit more filtration.

 

So more filtration is better to a point yes, but there's also a point where more isn't necessary.
Typically you want 8-10x turnover so for you that'd be 160-200gph. You're probably beyond that by a good bit

 

Hi

From looking through a lot of threads and other forums, most people say "more filtration is better"

I disagree especially in a planted tank. You plants should be able to deal with the ammonia.

Typically you want 8-10x

Ideally you want no more than 2 or 3 times turn over for effective biological filtration, you don't want to " skull drag" the water over your media, you want it to gently flow over it giving your BB a chance to do its thing.

 

I have to agree with nick on this one. So many variables play into filtration needs. Tank size and stocking are the biggest 2. Then plants and even the quality of your source water play a role. Even ph can effect how much filtration is needed. In a very low ph there isn't even a cycle so filtration is simply mechanical.

 

In a planted 20 Gallon that's not overstocked this is all you need.


That 100 gallon tank has 2 of these in it

 

There is a special place in fishkeeping heck (really, I can't say ****, really board) for whichever marketing firm came up with the x gph turnover rule; of course it will be raining with all the big HOB/canister cash.

 

This filter

In a 20 gallon tank with a slight modification

Video is my work

 

I feel like it depends on what you're aiming for. Nitrate removing bacteria absolutely as little flow as possible as they thrive in little to zero oxygen environments. The usual de nitrifying bacteria should have a higher flow as they need more air for their process.

There is a special place in fishkeeping heck (really, I can't say , really board) for whichever marketing firm came up with the x gph turnover rule; of course it will be raining with all the big HOB/canister cash.

To an extent yes, but typically we don't follow their recommendations once we dive into the pit of forum threads. For example there's a 350gph filter rated for 75 gallon tanks (not to point fingers or anything but *cough cough* marineland). Follow the 8-10x rule it should only go between 35 and 40 gallon tanks. It's just barely over half what you want for a 75g

 

You're not being nearly cynical enough. They sucker you into a "cheap" filter because it's there and it's "cheap" and it has the right numbers on the box, knowing that you'll either: buy a bunch of their obnoxious cartridges for a couple months and quit the hobby all together like the vast majority of people who start fishkeeping, or eventually someone will tell you that you're a bad person and your fish will never reach the tippy-tippy top of Maslow's heirarchy unless you're moving so many gallons per hour. So now you have to buy another one of their filters, which means another disposable cartridge to replace regularly.

Whenever someone asks "What filter should I buy?" plenty of people will tell them you need to circulate 10x the volume of the tank every hour (it's so common it's become a "rule"), not many people will say: 1. get enough filtration to turn ammonia into nitrate in a timely manner; 2. ????; 3. Profit. Except step 2 isn't an enigma it's just "don't buy a four hundred dollar, forty watt FX6 for your 20 gallon when a five dollar sponge would work."

 

I have to agree with nick on this one. So many variables play into filtration needs. Tank size and stocking are the biggest 2. Then plants and even the quality of your source water play a role. Even ph can effect how much filtration is needed. In a very low ph there isn't even a cycle so filtration is simply mechanical.

I'll list what I have:

Stock
10x Tiger Barbs (~1.5 inches)
7x Bronze Corydoras (~1 inch)
8x big plants (I do not know their names)
6x small plants (I do not know their name; grass like)
3x Marimo Moss Balls

Equipment
Aqueon 20 Gallon (long)
2x AquaClear 20
Aqueon Pro 100W Heater (set to 78°F)
Tetra Whisper 40 (split into two lines using a 2 way air control & check valve)
NICREW ClassicLED Plus
Zacro digital thermometer

Water
pH: 8.2 (city water)
Ammonia: 0.5
Nitrate: 0
Nitrite: 0
NOTE: I used the API Freshwater Master Test Kit

 

Trust_Power, excellent looking 20 long you got there! Thanks for posting pics.

How are the bronze cory's doing with the water flow?

Were you able to raise the water level some to see if that makes a difference?

That is very similar to how I've been wanting to change up my 20 high. I want to add some simple rock formations with some live plants.

I have missed the train on having live plants since I set up our first tank last Feburary. It's been a year now and none of my tanks have live plants, but I'm jumping on that train soon!

Trust_Power , are you using only gravel or do you have any substrate beneath? Are you using fertilizers?

I agree with the other members posts stating over filtration is not required and live plants + sponge filters are all you need. Breeders primarily rely on sponge filters and I am definitely in the pro sponge filter camp, ha.

I re-read Trust_Power original post and totally missed he has live plants!

I like have more than 1 filter on my tanks (including 1 sponge filter) because I stagger cleaning them so I won't disturb my cycle if I get OCD when rinsing off one.

I also like have more than one filter on my tanks because I don't have live plants (yet).

NickAu, great video I like the discharge tube extension on the sponge the filter.

I always like when members share pics and videos of their set-ups.

I like getting fresh ideas.

Thanks !

 

Trust_Power, excellent looking 20 long you got there! Thanks for posting pics.

How are the bronze cory's doing with the water flow?

Were you able to raise the water level some to see if that makes a difference?

That is very similar to how I've been wanting to change up my 20 high. I want to add some simple rock formations with some live plants.

I have missed the train on having live plants since I set up our first tank last Feburary. It's been a year now and none of my tanks have live plants, but I'm jumping on that train soon!

Trust_Power , are you using only gravel or do you have any substrate beneath? Are you using fertilizers?

I agree with the other members posts stating over filtration is not required and live plants + sponge filters are all you need. Breeders primarily rely on sponge filters and I am definitely in the pro sponge filter camp, ha.

I re-read Trust_Power original post and totally missed he has live plants!

I like have more than 1 filter on my tanks (including 1 sponge filter) because I stagger cleaning them so I won't disturb my cycle if I get OCD when rinsing off one.

I also like have more than one filter on my tanks because I don't have live plants (yet).

NickAu, great video I like the discharge tube extension on the sponge the filter.

I always like when members share pics and videos of their set-ups.

I like getting fresh ideas.

Thanks !

Thanks Islandvic

The Corydoras are doing good with the filter flow to the lowest setting. Raising the water level did help a bit but I'll need to add the sponge to diffuse the flow more. I'm thinking about switching to sand, is that hard to do since I am using gravel already? There is also algae growing on the gravel, plants, and center decoration, is that bad?

 

I'm no expert on filtration, but you will be grateful for the extra seeded filter in your tank should one of them stop working, or if you find yourself in need of a quarantine tank, or even when you change media - you can do each at different times thereby having constant seeded media working for your tank. plus, having more than one filter working all the time keeps your water crystal clear. as someone once told me - prior planning prevents ****-poor performance...