Filtration On 520l

[MikeO]

Am I going overboard if I put a SECOND FX5 on my 550L Tank?

I just tried an additonal filter and ended up with a diasater, leaving me hating all other external filters on the planet apart from the FX5.

Quesiton is will there be any point? I need some movement in the water on the other end of the tank - Am i best just getting a powerhead and leaving the one filter on, or will a second one make any real benefits?

 

[snazy]

Just out of curiousity, what was the other filtre you tried?
There are a lot of benefits of a second filter, for example a backup if one stops to work and it will not only help the flow, but will do biological and mechanical filtration unlike a powerhead.The only reason I wouldn't put a second one of that capacity is if the flow is too strong for the types of fish in it. That of course depends how you set them up and if you have the money and the flow isn't a problem, I'd go for it. One filter will still probably do the biological filtration for the tank size with no problem so a cheaper option is a power head but the good quality powerheads of the capacity of the flow of an FX5 would provide are not always the cheapest too but they'll give you flexibility where to put them around the tank. Although between annoyed fish, plants and blown sand I can never seem to get mine at the right spot so it's travels often around the tank

 

[MikeO]

It was a Tetratec EX2400.

It leaked - It was a nightmare to put together and the media wouldnt stay in some of the baskets. Total nightmare.

I am thinking about maybe a 405 instead, but given how easy the FX5 is it would seem the easier option for me.

Flow wise, I point one output nozzle up to agitate the surface and one down to create flow - I have a mbuna tank and no plants. The fish dont seem to notice the current one, so think a second should be OK on that sense.

Ive also found one for sale for £188.50 NEW which is pretty cheap!

 

[Squidward]

I would imagine 1 FX5 is more than enough.
If I remember correctly it is rated to 2000L?

I have an Aquamanta on my 550L tank
So far, I have found it ok.
But it is a bit of a squeeze to get it into the cupboard under the tank

 

[MikeO]

I know it is enough in terms of turning over the water, its more the water flow around the tank which I am concerned about.

 

[dbanner]

The flow should be more than enough on a tank like that. My friend used to have 1 on his 6ft 680 litre and it was fine. He just moved over to tetratec in the end. I run 2 tetratec ex1200's on my 450 litre and after owning an fx5, 406, 405, 306, 205, APS ef2000+ and numerous internals I find the tetratecs the best overall

 

[Squidward]

I know it is enough in terms of turning over the water, its more the water flow around the tank which I am concerned about.

More than enough.
I have never understood why so many Malawi keepers get the idea that they to get a huge amount of current.
I have seen various tv documentaries on Lake Malawi, and at the depth where many species are found, the water is still.

 

[MikeO]

I know it is enough in terms of turning over the water, its more the water flow around the tank which I am concerned about.

More than enough.
I have never understood why so many Malawi keepers get the idea that they to get a huge amount of current.
I have seen various tv documentaries on Lake Malawi, and at the depth where many species are found, the water is still.

Lake Malawi has a capacity a little larger than 520L and more ways to naturally process the waste....

Its nothing to do with the type of fish I keep. It would be the same question whatever is in the tank. Dead spots and low flow in a large tank are going to be a much bigger problem than at the bottom of a lake or the sea!