External Filter On Planted Tank

[ghent_3rd]

I am thinking of adding an additional external filter, possibly Fluval 205, but I am wondering whether it will be harmful to the plants to have that much filtration in a Rio 180. It will also have the original Juwel filter already in place. The reason I want the additional filtration is that I would like to add 2 or 3 more plecs and we all know that plecs make a little bit of a mess don't we!!!

Tank set-up is 90 watts of lighting
2 x CO2 optimat units
Ferts every week

3 neons
8 silver tips
6 black widows
6 bronze cory
1 hoplo
1 garra pingi pingi
1 L-205

Any help please??

 

[Qays]

filteration is'nt the only factor you should think about. Will the plecs have enough swimming space?

 

[craynerd]

Why not just remove the internal filter and get a larger external.

Chris

 

[George Farmer]

Overfiltration isn't an issue in a planted tank, quite the opposite. The old-school say low turnover rates are preferble but this is nonsense. More circulation means better distribution of nutrients, less detritus build-up, less algae and cyanobacteria risk and lower ammonium/ammonia (NH3/4) levels.

It is important to remember that NH3/4 levels are never zero, just undetectable (or should be) by hobby-grade test kits. NH3/4 is not only highly toxic for our fish but is a big algae trigger (20x more than nitrate).

So by "overfiltering" our planted tanks we are doing the whole aquarium a favour.

What you need to bear in mind is turbulence. The new Fluval 05 range come supplied with a spray bar so position this appropriately to avoid excess surface agitation that can drive off valuable CO2.

FYI I will be filtering my Juwel Rio 125 with an Eheim 2028 Pro II, designed for 600 l. tanks with an turnover of 750 lph.

filteration is'nt the only factor you should think about. Will the plecs have enough swimming space?

Plecs require less swimming space than Neon tetras.

 

[ghent_3rd]

Cheers for the replies.

Looks like I am getting an external then!!

When I can afford one that is, have to keep my eyes open on Ebay. Love my plecos you see so got to have a decent variety in there. There is more space than you think and there is A LOT of bogwood in my tank for them to hide. My current L-number only uses about 2 areas of the tank really.

Think I will take your advice George, suppose I better listen to a PFK columnist

(got my issue through the post today, not read the article but congratulations mate)