Filtration question

[gm72]

Specific to my 40 gallon long, which is by the way, just about done with my first ever fishless cycle! Anyway, I was cleaning out one of my canisters and rinsed the prefilter into the 40 gallon so as to avoid wasting all of that good bacteria. Some of the gunk from the filter has settled on the gravel on the opposite side from the aquaclear 50 that is on the tank. Question is this--should I add a smaller, maybe an aquaclear 30, to the opposite side of the tank or is this settling normal for a tank of this size?

[xoolooxunny]

That could be hinting at not enough circulation on the tank. If you don't want to add another filter, you can always add a powerhead on the opposite side of the tank to avoid any dead spots in the aquarium. Normally, you wouldn't want to keep that "gunk" in the tank, because it could pollute the water. Next time, try and fill a little container with the tank water aside from the tank to rinse the prefilter in, that way, you wont kill any of the good stuff!:ezpi_wink1:

[Lady Hobbs]

Question is this--should I add a smaller, maybe an aquaclear 30, to the opposite side of the tank or is this settling normal for a tank of this size?

If you're going to go with a second filter, which you should, instead of getting a small filter, get a good one. Price is only a few dollars more for an upgraded one than those that are less. You can't filter too much unless you have plants, of course.

[gm72]

This is what I was thinking, I do think it is a dead spot for circulation in the tank. Think I will add another filter. I have an extra aquaclear 30 here, but Lady Hobbs, I'll plan on adding another 50 to the mix. Thanks, folks!