i have a aquaclear 70 on my 55.. i've read i need more filtration then that, but i only have a 55 and my filter is rated for a 70 gall..isnt that enough? my nitrates and nitrites are both 0 readings and i do 30% w/c 2x weekly

Adequate? Probably. If your readings are where they should be, hard to argue one way or the other. It is general belief however, to be at "optimum" is to have a filter rated for double the size of your tank, or if the gph turns over your water 3-5 times per hour. GPH is not everything though as the filter has to have large areas for media.

If you wanted to improve upon what you have, you could just add another AC70.

Hello Noel...

Really, if you're willing to change half the water in your tank every week, an Aqua Clear 50 would be fine. You really need a good source of filtration in your tank, but it should be used as a source of gas exchange to get oxygen into the water more than keeping the water clean. Your filter really only takes in toxic water and puts out water that's less toxic.

You should make it your job to replace half the tank water every week, so no toxins can build up in the water. I used to think I could get by with strong filtration to avoid water changes, but you really can't if you want your fish and plants to be their healthiest.

I have several 55 Gs and have found that changing half the water weekly really isn't much harder than changing 20 or 30 percent.

B

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Low Tech Water Building Keeper

I would never put in a filter that is rated for something under the size of your tank unless it is heavily planted and you were an experienced aquarists. If this is all new to you, and I assume it is since you're asking this question, err on the side of caution and get the larger filter for a few extra dollars. In the long run you'll be glad you did. All of my larger tanks have double canister filters on them capable of standing alone and my tanks are heavily planted. I would prefer to account for things I may do wrong ahead of time and keep the occupants safe. You can never over-filter your tank.

Apologies. I seem to have given information that would put Noel's fish in "harms way". That wasn't my intent. I only recommend what I do with my tanks and believe if anyone from the experienced water keeper to the novice would practice sound tank management, most of the added filtration wouldn't be needed. It takes relatively little experience to change half the water in an aquarium weekly and since you're flushing your tank with large quantities of fresh water, you guarantee your fish always have a clean environment. This makes all the added filtration expensive and unnecessary.

Again apologies if I overstepped my bounds.

B

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Low Tech Water Building Keeper

I believe in your maintenance practices and do the same thing and most of the time change anywhere from 60-75% weekly, so I am not saying they are bad practices.

But, the person new to all of this typically isn't exactly ready for that. So recommending a filter UNDER-rated for their tank is just plain bad advice. It is one thing to go double or triple or more, but under? Really? Your years of experience will not always relate to someone who may not have even grasped exactly what it takes to conduct a water change yet (all the mechanics involved). Especially in larger tanks. Little ones, not a problem. 50% water change is a few minutes work. Not sure how much time you spend here, but there are troubles everyday keeping fish alive from lack of water changes, overcrowding, whatever else....

Your tanks are fairly well planted from the pics I have seen. That would be a good example of when you may be able to take the filtration down a notch because the plants are helping you keep the water filtered. Nothing wrong with what you said per se, but for a new aquarist? I'll be sure to point out the next thread to you that has someone with a persistent ammonia problem because of overstocking, overfeeding, lack of good maintenance, etc...these are the times that a larger filter can give the ability for the tank to spring back faster and "help" the individual out "instead" of already being in the hole further than they already are because of a puny filter.

yea i read the info on the aquaclear 70..it dose 300 gph. BUT i went to my LFS and bought a Marineland Penguin 200 for 20 $ on sale ahahah
so i have 500 gph being filtered.. plus i feel better knowing i have a another filter to rely on if one breaks.
thanks for all the feedback guys =D

Sounds good! A second filter is always good to have, for the extra filtration and for a backup.

My 20g has an AC 30 and an AC 20 on it (so filtration for a 50g tank essentially) and the 36g has an AC 70 and an Aqueon 30 (so filtration for a 115g tank.) Always feels better having extra filtration!

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20g Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981
36g Bow Front Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981

Good morning Ben...

You put up very good reasons for overfiltering. I'm fairly new to the water keeping hobby myself, so will defer to one more experienced than I am.

I may be wrong in this assumption, but I believe the majority of all aquarists would say this is the most important task and one of the first things you learn to do. Performing a large water change, though a little time consuming, is one of the easiest. Even the inexperienced can get the hang of it in no time.

Large and regular water changes will eliminate the need and expense for a great deal of equipment, testing and ultimately medications. I'm a firm believer that if you change the water often enough, you won't need much filtration, because the filter is simply filtering a lot of water that's already clean.

Thanks for this discussion, I always look forward to reading what others, especially the moderators say about our hobby.

B

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Low Tech Water Building Keeper