Help Understanding Two Filters

[Too Fast]

I have heard of people running more than one filter on there tanks. I was wondering, as a relative newbie, why

Does this mean that you can stock more fish than the estimated 1cm/1 litre stocking suggestion?

Is this purely as a back up?

or is it for maintaining bacteria levels when one is being cleaned?

I can't think of any other reasons as I've seen it done on tanks where the size isn't an issue so it's not to cover the water volume.

 

[raptorrex]

I have heard of people running more than one filter on there tanks. I was wondering, as a relative newbie, why

Does this mean that you can stock more fish than the estimated 1cm/1 litre stocking suggestion?

Is this purely as a back up?

or is it for maintaining bacteria levels when one is being cleaned?

I can't think of any other reasons as I've seen it done on tanks where the size isn't an issue so it's not to cover the water volume.

two filters could be fitted for, all the reasons you mention.
more often than not, its to upgrade water flow, without having to spend lots of money on a single, much bigger filter.

you say "not to cover water volume", but this is the main reason. quite a few keepers like flow rates of 5+x turnover. now, even with a 200l tank, that requires a big, expensive filter. or, like me, you connect two.
there seems good, though not incontrovertible, evidence that flow rats of this size, help bio activity and keep a tank healthyer. also the "claim" on the boxes of, most, filters. bears little relation to the "true" flow. as a rough rule of thump. you can divide the flow "claimed" by two, and get somewhere close to the truth. add to this the, questionable, volume claims for many filter and you soon see why, some, choose two filters.

 

[Gvilleguy]

I am running two filters for the simple reason that the one that came with my aquarium kit had inadequate bio-media capacity, in my opinion. So I bought a larger canister filter. Since I don't yet have a second tank running, I figured it could not hurt to run both on the one tank. And now, should I ever get a second tank, I can remove some of the smaller filter's media to seed the new tank.

 

[J4G3D]

Could i hijack your thread with a question instead of making a new thread....

Would having 2 filters help with cleaning the tank even more? So much that you could do a water change once every 2 weeks? Or is that a stupid question? Always wondered that.

 

[Malt_Vinegar]

Could i hijack your thread with a question instead of making a new thread....

Would having 2 filters help with cleaning the tank even more? So much that you could do a water change once every 2 weeks? Or is that a stupid question? Always wondered that.

It will increase the flow, and mechanical filtration. This should mean u will pick up more solid waste from the tank, and this could help increase water clarity.

It will also help keep the substrate clear. But rememeber, all that gunk goes somewhere.

To help increase time between water changes, you can run a larger tank, feed less, add plants, stock less and filter more

 

[Gvilleguy]

I think running dual filters definitely helps with water clarity - I noticed a difference.

 

[J4G3D]

I think running dual filters definitely helps with water clarity - I noticed a difference.

My tank is always literally crystal clear anyway. So i wouldnt get a 2nd filter purely for water clarity. I would only need it purely for a less toxic (no that it is anyway) tank.

 

[Too Fast]

What is the best way to go about doing this then?

I have a 180l fluval tank where the inlet and outlet go straight up into the bottom of the tank form a fluval 205 filter. Can I create a t piece below the tank in the cabinet to run two filters from the existing inlet and outlet or do I need to put another inlet and outlet around the back of the tank and in through the back of the hood?

The reason I ask is I have an evo one aquais 750 external from my old tank but got the fluval tank as I liked the cleanness of the pipework going straight up through the bottom so dont want any more pipes on show. If this is the only way of doing it i'd rather upgrade to a fluval 305 filter instead and just run one if this would have a similar effect.

 

[raptorrex]

What is the best way to go about doing this then?

I have a 180l fluval tank where the inlet and outlet go straight up into the bottom of the tank form a fluval 205 filter. Can I create a t piece below the tank in the cabinet to run two filters from the existing inlet and outlet or do I need to put another inlet and outlet around the back of the tank and in through the back of the hood?

The reason I ask is I have an evo one aquais 750 external from my old tank but got the fluval tank as I liked the cleanness of the pipework going straight up through the bottom so dont want any more pipes on show. If this is the only way of doing it i'd rather upgrade to a fluval 305 filter instead and just run one if this would have a similar effect.

tp be honest, even both, is too little for your tank. but ready made systems, often fall foul, like this. you have a choice. either put up with extra pipes. or keep your stocking very low. and have a clean looking tank. lol, your fish will thank you for putting up with the extra piping though.

 

[daiandgems]

when i bought my fluval 180l i paid the extra £25 and upgraded filter from the 205 to the 405 and that seems to be working ok for me if wanting to add water flow jus put a powerhead in there.

 

[Too Fast]

I wish I was given the option of upgrading but never even thought about it at the time. Does the 405 fit the inlet and outlet pipes to the tank without restricting flow? I might just get myself a 405 soon without telling the misses!!!!

 

[daiandgems]

Yes mate fits tidy hoses were a slight bit long as 205 is shorter so i cut them so there was no kink or loop put some plumbers tape on ends and its as sweet as a nut mate with twice the power. sell your 205 and get yourself a 405 for about £100

 

[ian]

Lol @ not telling the missus!

We've all done it!

 

[SlyPolak]

Lol @ not telling the missus!

We've all done it!

LMAO!!!!

Off topic with the filtration question but I just ordered (50 pounds) $120 worth of ocean rock for my Mbuna setup ... whenever she asks where I got the rock.. I'll be..... ummmmmmm my friend from the pet shop was giving it away!!!

If she found out I spent that much on ROCK she would beat my A#@....

 

[daiandgems]

Lol what she dont know wont hurt her. Anyways they say the same when you say are they new shoes and she replies no ive had them for ages.