Adding A Second 'smaller Filter'

[GravitySmacked]

Hi Folks,

I'm just wondering if adding a second 'smaller' filter would have any benefit in my tank.

I have a 60 litre tank with a Marina 15 HoB filter and I've read that you can never have too much filtration.

That being said I've also read you should match filter 'sizes' so one can act redundant filter should the other break down and having 2 filters only filter the tank size, ie. you wouldn't be able to add more fish even with 2 'full' size filters.

I have a small Elite Stingray 5 Internal Filter which is suitable for 25 litre tanks and I'm wondering if there would be any benefit in adding this to my tank or would it be a waste of time?

Thanks in advance

 

[ShinySideUp]

Hi Folks,

I'm just wondering if adding a second 'smaller' filter would have any benefit in my tank.

I have a 60 litre tank with a Marina 15 HoB filter and I've read that you can never have too much filtration.

That being said I've also read you should match filter 'sizes' so one can act redundant filter should the other break down and having 2 filters only filter the tank size, ie. you wouldn't be able to add more fish even with 2 'full' size filters.

I have a small Elite Stingray 5 Internal Filter which is suitable for 25 litre tanks and I'm wondering if there would be any benefit in adding this to my tank or would it be a waste of time?

Thanks in advance

My thought is that for a set amount of 'fuel' i.e. ammonia, you would have a set amount of bacteria so the gain would not be great if your one filter already has enough surface area for the bacteria required. One thing's for sure, it won't do any harm and you will get additional water movement so for the tiny extra power you will use I would say if you've got it, use it.

 

[GravitySmacked]

One thing's for sure, it won't do any harm and you will get additional water movement so for the tiny extra power you will use I would say if you've got it, use it.

Thanks for your reply!

I hadn't thought of the additional water movement, good call

I've just had another thought, by using it it would be nicely set up for transfer to a small hospital tank should the need arise

 

[TwoTankAmin]

I have run between 15 and 20 tanks for the past decade. I am currently running 18 ranging from 5.5 to 75 gallons. All but two have at least 2 filters and many have 3. Only the 5.5 gallon and the 50 gallon high tech, co2 added planted tank run with a single filter. I should note about half the tanks are for breeding and growing out fish and the rest are community type tanks.

More filter do not make more bacteria. They will spread the bacteria out, however. What multiple filters due is provide current better than a single filter and most importantly, give one redundancy. The faulure of a single filter will not take down a whole tank.

I extend this redundancy concept to heaters. Most of my tanks have multiple heaters as well as multiple filters. You also get more even heating with multiple heaters.

 

[GravitySmacked]

Thanks for your reply TwoTankAmin

As there aren't any negatives I'm going to add it