New Tank - over filtering?

[khan505]

Hi all...

I am new to aquariums. I was given a used 60 gallon aquarium and the previous owner had 2 Penguin 330 power filters running on it. Each one will handle 60 gallons so I could get by with one.

My question is... if I run both, am I hurting or helping my fish environment?
Should I just put one away for a replacement?
Are there any advantages to running both?

Any suggestions are welcome.
Thanks

[Slinky_Bass]

Hi there Kahn,

well, I know that quite a few experienced and successful tank owners on this forum do advocate doubling up on filtration. As for myself, my tank is about half overfiltered. I can't see how overfiltration will hurt your fish, unless maybe they are sensitive to strong water flow which two filters might create.

So i think you should definitely use both. Filters keep the water clear, catch debris and waste, house beneficial nitrifying and nitrosomas bacteria etc. so by doubling that up you're only doing more good.

[Abbeys_Mom]

I'd have to agree with Slinky_Bass. I have used two filters on my 55g before because one just was cutting it with my Oscar. Unless it's causing problem with too much current (or your hydro bills are too high :) ) I would keep running both. It certainly doesn't hurt.

[Lady Hobbs]

Filters never put out what they claim to put out. I always over-filter my aquariums. The kits you buy that come with the filter (like my 55 from Walmart) get another filter added to it of the same size or even larger. The only fish that I know of that too much filtering may disrupt are betta's.

[Glasstapper]

i agree with everyone else here. Keep both of those filters on there. Another advantage than those already mentioned would be when it's time to switch out your filter media. You could switch out one of them with new ones, then the other filter with new ones a couple weeks later. This way, you always have your biological filter strong.

If your current is too strong for your tastes, I've recently gotten some advice here that you put something in front to block or slow it down a bit.

[Fishguy2727]

Most filters talk themselves up. Whisper was the only on ewith the guts to actually admit the true capacity of their filters, and this wasn't left on the box fo rlon gdue to the other companies not having as honest of on box info. It is not overfiltering, it is just reality. In general a moderately stocked tanked with one filter rated "up to" the tank capacity is in reality underfiltered. Do not pay much attention to the gallons per hour rating (gph) as this is not what you need to focus on. You need to focus on what the filter is rated for. High gphs simply move water. What you reall yneed are filters that actually clean the water whiel it has it, not just get it in and out as fast as possible. So a filter can actually have a much lower gph than another, but actually be much better. The biowheels won't need the concern of preserving the colonies of nitrifying bacteria as they are mainly on the biowheel, not in the other cartridges. And since the biowheel should never be changed, this should not be an issue. Very few fish have an issue with high currents in the tanks, especially since the current is quickly disipated on the decor or front glass, especially so with hang on back filters that put the path of water directly toward the front of the tank. My 40 gallon has a Whisper 60 ("up to" 60 gallons) and a Fluval 405 ("up to" 100 gallons) and there is a strong current in one area, but most of the tank is at an ideal flow, strong enough to remove debris, slow enough to give the fish plenty of rest when they don't want to play in the current. For a 55 I would use 2 "up to" 60 gallon hang on backs plus a large canister, so you are by no means over filtered.

[jeffs99dime]

i have a 55gallon and i currently am turning 664 gph. mind you, this is the manufacturers suggested flow rate. i haven't had any problems yet.

[Fishguy2727]

What is more important is what that filter is rated "up to". What size tank is it rated for?

[Lady Hobbs]

Possibly the only tank that has too much commotion for me is my little 30 gallon tank that has an Emperor 400!! I drop the food in and it's all over the place before the fish can get to it. This big filter was supposed to be a second filter for my 55 but you all heard my tale of woe of having the tank too close to the wall previously.

Breaking this whole tank down to move it one inch just isn't an option for me right now.

[jeffs99dime]

i had that problem when i initially setup my tank too hobbs. i didn't plan for wall to aquarium space when i filled it with water. so, at the next pwc, i emptied about 80% of the water and was able to move the aquaruim and stand from the back wall to where i wanted it. i wasn't thinking as usual. lol

[Lady Hobbs]

I was actually planning! I mounted the filter on the back to make sure it fit. But I only checked one side. Another filter will fit the opposite side (and does) but not the big one I wanted to use. I will use it on my next aquarium...that I will probably get next month. doo-da-doo-da

[khan505]

Wow!! Thanks everyone. Lots of good input. I will use both filters.

[Wallyfish]

I'm going to have to find a way to reduce the turbulence in my tank by obstructing one of my filters before I can use two filters. I have a 10 gallon tank that came with a aqua-tech 5/15 filter which I didn't like because it didn't have a bio-wheel. I ended up buying a penguin 100 and hooked both filters up. My glofish tend to school together in a corner at the bottom of the tank when both filters are running. Initially they tried to fight the current but I think they must get tired after a while. With only the penguin running they are much more inquisitive. I do want the extra filtration however.