Filtration System

[egore81]

Hello
I have a 48 litre tank which is 17"d x 15"w x 13"h
It came with an interpet PF1 filter
Everything seems to be going fine I currently have 3 glowlight tetras
After having a look on agadvisor for stocking capacity I have calculated what I want to go in it but is says that the filter is not big enough for the tank and fish.
 
If I put that it is a PF2 filter it says it will have 93% filtration. Will this be enough as I think a PF3 is a bit excessive?
Will the PF1 not be enough?
 
Im quite happy to go to PF2 as it also has ceramic media whereas the PF1 is just foam and carbon.
 
Does anyone know if the PF2 is any good? or suggest and equivalent?
 
Any input would be much appreciate thanks

 

[egore81]

Also if I was to get a PF2 filter do I run it with the PF1 filter for a while to let bacteria grow on the new pads?

 

[Mikey1]

Im quite happy to go to PF2 as it also has ceramic media whereas the PF1 is just foam and carbon.

 
 
all you need to keep a healthy tank in your filter is foam....thats it....nothing else.....just pack as much foam in there as you can possibly fit.....forget about the carbon or anything else

 

[kad191]

Always better to have too much filtration than not enough.

 

[leighton_87]

Hello
I have a 48 litre tank which is 17"d x 15"w x 13"h
It came with an interpet PF1 filter
Everything seems to be going fine I currently have 3 glowlight tetras
After having a look on agadvisor for stocking capacity I have calculated what I want to go in it but is says that the filter is not big enough for the tank and fish.
 
If I put that it is a PF2 filter it says it will have 93% filtration. Will this be enough as I think a PF3 is a bit excessive?
Will the PF1 not be enough?
 
Im quite happy to go to PF2 as it also has ceramic media whereas the PF1 is just foam and carbon.
 
Does anyone know if the PF2 is any good? or suggest and equivalent?
 
Any input would be much appreciate thanks

My question would be what do you want to put in it.

You have a 12 ish gallon tank and only a few fish will be happy in a tank that size. Glowlight tetras for instance should be in a 15/20 gallon tank minimum.

Also, have you cycled the tank?

 

[egore81]

tank is cycled
had a look on aqadvisor and said i could possibly have
6 glowlights
3 guppies
and either 4 danios, a swordtail or honey gourmi
that showed as just under 100% stock
thoughts?

 

[gwd]

That would work with the bio capacity, but you have to think of swimming area and activity levels of the fish. These fish are active and would need more room to swim.  I would not go with a swordtail as they are very fast swimmers and prefer long tanks for bolting around, min 20 gal.
 I would research these fish and see which ones would work best for your tank. Focus on their energy levels and swimming room needed. It is more than just the bioload.