How Much Is Too Much Filtration?

[MermaidMel]

Is there such a thing as too much?
I have got some long awaited much researched keyhole cichlids and they are a couple of inches each, this is bigger fish than I've had before and they are sharing a 50 gallon with a fluval 405 but thinking should i add another? I know it's already really over filtrated but the size of their poo is shocking lol! The amount of decor in the tank doesn't allow for thorough poo removal by net or syphon alone and being a corner tank I wanted both corners of the tank to have intake, which would mean 2 filters. What do you think?

 

[onebto]

Is there such a thing as too much?
I have got some long awaited much researched keyhole cichlids and they are a couple of inches each, this is bigger fish than I've had before and they are sharing a 50 gallon with a fluval 405 but thinking should i add another? I know it's already really over filtrated but the size of their poo is shocking lol! The amount of decor in the tank doesn't allow for thorough poo removal by net or syphon alone and being a corner tank I wanted both corners of the tank to have intake, which would mean 2 filters. What do you think?

I don't know anything about the fish you mentioned but I would be inclined to say you can never have to much filtration. Of course the amount of Ammonia needed to be dealt with is a constant and that I would think would be spread over 1,2 or 3 external filters but I cannot see any big issue with over filtrating a tank, Except for one thing the more you are running the more electricity you use.

I have an internal pump set in my tank plus an external it maybe over kill but I like looking at redundancy and emergency's in that if one goes down you have the other to keep on going until such time as parts or a replacement can be found plus the added issue of alternate maintenance if you clean one or have to replace media then the other is still going MY HUMBLE OPINION ON THE MATTER

I would be interested in what the more knowledgeable members think on this matter

Regards onebto

 

[fatheadminnow]

More filtration is good, as a 5x turn over rate in one hour for a tank would be considered a minimum. Anything above this should/would only be beneficial... to a limit. There is always a limit at which point the efficiency of filtering a tank would no longer increase. At which point it would be pointless to add more filters. I would try not to go over a 20x turn over rate.

Along with more filters; another thing that should be considered is the water movement throughout the tank. You want to try to obtain a decent amount of water movement throughout the tank, whether it be by power heads, more filters or aerators, a decent water flow throughout the tank will be beneficial. To me, I try to have complete movement of my water column within my tanks at all times to eliminate any "pockets" of ammonia that are just sitting around in the tank and not getting to the filter. Also, if you have live plants in your tank you want to try to aim for at least a 10x turn over rate to ensure efficient nutrient delivery to all your plants.

-FHM

 

[AdAndrews]

regarding filtration, there is no ammount too much, when concerned with the area and the media the bacteria has to grow in, however if you put stupid flow rates on a tank then things may get a bit cloudy... on my 35litre tank i have a 600lph external filter, AND, a 1200lph external pump, it nice

 

[fatheadminnow]

The size of tank and the flow rate with a filter can be seen as a relationship. IMO, there is going to be a point at which the turn over rate is going to surpass an efficiency level, at which point there would be no need, or it would be useless, to have more filters, which would increase the turn over rate.

The size of filter you are using is not going to be related to the turn over rate of your filter, because there are limiting factors. EX: You could have a 20 gallon tank with a 20 gallon sump filter, but only have a turn over rate of 1x. IMO, even though the filter size is very large, the turn over rate is way too low.

-FHM

 

[MermaidMel]

Thanks guys when you say 10X turnover, what does that mean, if you have 200 litres in a tank would that mean turning over 2000 litres per hour?

 

[AdAndrews]

Thanks guys when you say 10X turnover, what does that mean, if you have 200 litres in a tank would that mean turning over 2000 litres per hour?

yes.

 

[fatheadminnow]

Yup, 2000 LPH. A 10x turn rate over is a good rate to have for filtration in a tank!

-FHM

 

[ChrisCook]

Also, if you have live plants in your tank you want to try to aim for at least a 10x turn over rate to ensure efficient nutrient delivery to all your plants.

Will the filter not absorb any of the nutrients?

 

[fatheadminnow]

Also, if you have live plants in your tank you want to try to aim for at least a 10x turn over rate to ensure efficient nutrient delivery to all your plants.

Will the filter not absorb any of the nutrients?

If you have live plants in your tank, you will most likely be dosing some sort of fertilizer. So you want these ferts to be delivered to all 4 corners of your tank, via a higher turn-over rate.

The biological part of the filter will process ammonia, and nitrite, but not other fertilizers.

Read here for more info: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/298133-back-to-basics/

Here is a quote from that link:

Turnover and Circulation

In a planted tank, it is reccomended you aim for a minimum of 10x turnover. Eg. In a 240litre tank, one should aim for 2400l/ph turnover whether it be through filtration or powerheads.
Filters usually work at half the manufacturers stated flow rate, however, you do not have to worry about this as the 10x guideline takes this into account.
Now you have turnover covered, you need to be efficient in using this to achieve the best circulation around the whole tank. This is to ensure nutrients & CO2 get delivered to all four corners of the tank, no dead spots (no water movement which could lead to algae), and to ensure detrius is moved around the tank so it can be picked up by the filter. Some people use a spraybar on the back wall, and point it directly at the front wall so it is pushed down and around the tank. Others rely on powerheads, and some can get away with using just the filter(s) alone.
Some go as high as 20x, which would be the maximum i would reccomend, anymore and the benefits it brings start to decrease.

Having a high turnover is good, but without circulating the water properly you are wasting the advantages it brings.

-FHM

 

[AdAndrews]

FHM is exactly correct, nutrients such as NPK, traces or co2 cannot be "absorbed" by the filter.

 

[ChrisCook]

Thanks guys

 

[fatheadminnow]

Thanks guys

Your welcome!

-FHM

 

[MermaidMel]

It's confusing a bit, say for example the fluval 405 says its rated for 400 litre tanks, if you have one on a 400 litre tank, isn't that 1 X turnover? I am such a girl sometimes, I realise that

 

[raptorrex]

Is there such a thing as too much?
I have got some long awaited much researched keyhole cichlids and they are a couple of inches each, this is bigger fish than I've had before and they are sharing a 50 gallon with a fluval 405 but thinking should i add another? I know it's already really over filtrated but the size of their poo is shocking lol! The amount of decor in the tank doesn't allow for thorough poo removal by net or syphon alone and being a corner tank I wanted both corners of the tank to have intake, which would mean 2 filters. What do you think?

I would suggest you are running, under 5x turnover with this filter and tank. so, adequately filtered. but far from over filtered. my tank has two filters. 1x Eheim 2224 and 1x Hydor prime 30. total boxed, flow, claims for the filters is 1700lph. real flow is closer to 900-1000lph. that gives my 50 gallon, 5x, just.
the problem with using a "box claim" is, you have no real idea how much flow you have. often someone who claims 2000lph will, in truth, have a lot less. possibly up to 60% less. so where does that leave the "recommended flow?"