Can You Over Filter An Aquarium?

[Rob5]

I have a 200 litre tropical tank being filtered by an Eheim 2073 external,1050litres an hour and a  Eheim 2012 internal, 400litres an hour
 
I want to take the internal out ( as it is unsightly and takes up too much room ) and maybe swap it over with another external, maybe running at 1000litres an hour
 
Would this be too much filtration,or would i get away with just the Eheim 2073?
 
The tank is quite heavily planted and i need the water flow so i have a Hydor Koralia nano 1600 in the tank as well
 
Any input on this would be gratefully appreciated
 
Rob

 

[JenJ]

I think the only 'symptom' of over-filtration would be too much flow, but you say that you need good flow so I'd say go for it.
 
Only real downside I can see would be cost.


Oh, and the 'ideal' flow is about 10x capacity, which is what you would be at with your existing external plus another.

 

[Mikey1]

your external filter provides 5x per hour which is more than sufficient for the average aquarium that is well maintained, unless the tank is severely overstocked, thats the only time i would recommend more than 5x,
 
if your having an issue with your water quality using that filter, its not the filters fault, its user error,
 
overfiltering does nothing but waste electricity, its best to have all of your bacteria in one filter, rather than spread out between multiple filters

 

[tomtomtom1230]

Over filtration shouldn't be an issue. The only issue I foresee is that your tank might become more like a washing machine for the fish If you have the internal just for the flow, why not just replace it with a small enough power head?

 

[Rob5]

Thanks for that guys
 
I do not have any water quality issues, just that i want to take the internal out as it is unsightly.
 
I have a powerhead so maybe i will put that in instead

 

[Naringlo]

I think planted tanks need to have 10x flow minimum.
 
So you should be aiming for 2000l/h. But you'll have to check this. 

 

[TwoTankAmin]

its best to have all of your bacteria in one filter, rather than spread out between multiple filters

 
Makes no sense and is also impossible to organize. Plus, despite what one sees posted over and over about most of the bacteria living in a filter, this is rarely the case. It is all over a healthy tank with good circulation. The bacteria live where its nice for them no matter where you order them to go
 
As noted, current and filtration are two different issues. A slow steady flow is best for the nitrifying bacteria. They want a chance to get at the ammonia or nitrite, oxygen and carbon. Contact time is relevant here.
 
I almost never ever rely on one filter. I want redundancy. I rarely run a single heater for the same reason. I do not wish to wipe out a tank because one piece of equipment fails.

 

[tomtomtom1230]

I can understand that, but it gets costly when doing it your way TwoTank I don't have that kinda money! I'm only a few quid away from renewing my blooming mortgage since I gotta buy a new filter!

 

[TwoTankAmin]

Well, I can understand that. The problem is how much will might cost you if your filter or heater quits and your fish all die? Maybe buying used is an option?
 
I have a saying I follow based on personal experience: In the long run, the cheapest solution is usually the most expensive one at the start.

 

[Nik00117]

I've always been a fan of having two of everything in a tank. I had a heater go out on me during winter vacation...Key board filter I was out of town for the week all my fish died. Ever since then I always make sure to have two of everything. Two filters, two heaters etc.