Flow Rate Vs Media Capacity

[Shred]

This is something I've never really thought about before. Which is more important in terms of stocking? (I actually want to set up a terrapin tank which is why I'm asking, they're messy)

 

[drobbyb]

Both can be achieved with a modern filter.

 

[dave_oddballs]

i go for flow rate.
i don't believe both can be achieved with any of todays filters, i believe it would be easy to achieve though.
like my argument over the fluval fx5 and the eheim pro3 2080, i have both, and the eheim has more media capacity but the fx5 has a lot better flow rate. eheims are supposedly better??
for arguments sake say 80% of the water that passes through each filter actually gets filtered, the fx5's flow rate is double that of the eheim, so there fore the fx5 is more sufficient, filters more water, and filters it just aswel as the eheim, why can't a reputable manufacturer, like eheim, make a reliable filter, with a large capacity and chuck out as much water as something like the fx5?

anyway back to the point, this was just an example from my experience, i say flow rate is better, in most cases anyway.

 

[drobbyb]

i don't believe both can be achieved with any of todays filters...

Why not? I take for example, Aquaclear filters. They have amazing flowrate with more than adequate media capacity. Even external canister filters have excellent flow rate and outstanding media capacity. Both are available now.

Sure, some are better than others, but no matter what you get, as long as it turns over 5X capacity per hour, is adequate.