Is my canister enough

**Patrick** · 09-11-2010, 02:00 AM

I have 2 JDs in a 77G. Female is around 5 inches, male around 7.

I have a Fluval 404 and an Aqua clear 402 (now known as 50 I think) in the tank with the mechanical filter under it.

The 404 is running great. No noise, no vibration.

The Power Head, on the other hand, is now making more vibration and more noise.

I liked the fact that the power head give me more filtration power, and put some oxygen in my water using the air valve, but the noise is too much.

I've done a major cleanup of the unit, but it's still vibrating. I think the propeller need to be replaced. I could get repair parts, or look for another unit, but I'm wondering if this is needed. Looking at the specs of a 404, it is recommended for a 100 US gal aquarium, but since JDs are messy eaters, I'm not sure it will be enough. I still don't like the noise the power head makes, and the fact that it takes some place inside the tank. As for adding air bubbles, I'm not sure that's really a must with JDs since they like swampy calm water...

What do you think ? Should I replace this unit and have 2 types of filtration ? If so, should I get another power head, or something else ?

Thank you!

**FishGirl-Seattle** · 09-11-2010, 10:14 PM

IMHO I wouldn't run just the Fluval, at least not for very long if your fish stock is hard on water quality. If you just had a medium load of tetras or something yes, the Fluval would likely be enough, but if you have heavy producers you are going to want at least 150% filtration, if not more.

**rich311k** · 09-11-2010, 11:03 PM

You could throw an HOB on the tank for bit more filtration and water movement. I dont see that you will have to much trouble with just the cannister as long as you keep up with weekly water changes.

**gm72** · 09-12-2010, 02:39 AM

You will get a great variety of responses on this one as you have already seen with the first few responses. There really is no correct answer. The 404 will be adequate but I personally would like to see an addition of a HOB, maybe an AC 70, just for backup.

**Patrick** · 09-13-2010, 12:48 AM

Thank you all for your replies.

HOB is not an option with my setup; there's not enough space behind, and I really like the way the canister filter make almost no noise.

I guess I'll keep testing my water often, and if I see major changes, that would be a sign that the canister isn't enough.

FishGirl-Seattle suggest I should get 150% of my filtration;the 404 is good for 100G, in my 77G, that's about 130% the filtration I need.. I'm not that far from 150%.

I still have the motor head ready in case the canister fail. It's noisy, but still working.

Since HOB isn't an option, do I have other option, or the only thing left is a power head ? What would be a good, silent power head I should look for ?

As for adding oxygen into the water, I could always add an air pump...

Once again, thank you all for your answers, I really appreciate!

**gm72** · 09-13-2010, 10:41 AM

Some PHs have filtration attachments that you could use. You shouldn't have to add an air pump if your filter is set up adequately to agitate the surface of the water to allow oxygen exchange.