Is Filter Ok For Size Of Tank And No Of Fish

[fatmrak315]

OK so i have had my tank for about a year now, maybe more (time fly's). its 4foot x 15inches x 15inches. it has one interpet pf4 filter. all my water test are fine, i do a 65% water change every week. but is one filter enough for my tank and fish. i don't want to start to losing fish just because i did not provided enough filtration.

my current stock is

1 x para pleco (3 1/2 inches)
1 x angelfish
1 x red tailed black shark (fully grown, picking him up tomorrow)
2 x keyhole cichlids
2 x gold gouarmi
2 x festivum
3 x swordtails (size range from 1 1/2 to 2inches)
5 x rosy barb

is the one interpet filter ok, or should i get another one to join it, or get an external filter. and if so which one.

 

[Caprichoso]

What kind of inserts are you using? You can achieve more biological filter by opting out of carbon and ammonia inserts and instead replacing them with sponges and ceramic bio-rings. I am not personally familiar with that type of filter but if you have good current in your tank and the plants are swaying and there doesn't seem to be debris building up on the substrate, then your filter is probably doing it's job. Your tank seems to be a decent size so I wouldn't say you are overstocked or anything. The other thing is, is some people like to have a secondary filter in case one breaks down. I personally think this shouldn't happen if you keep your filter maintained properly...but that's just my opinion. I have a 6 foot tank and my filter is an FX5 which for me is an awesome and reliable system...some like the Eheim better but I'm not into having to prime the pump manually or worry about my filter not starting up again if there is a power failure. Personal choice of coarse.

 

[minnnt]

External all the way. Leave your pf4 in whilst the external gets up to speed and cycled then remove the internal for extra space. Keep it for emergencies as you never know when you may need it. Aim for an external filter that has around 5-10 turnover of your total tank volume per hour.

 

[fatmrak315]

i took the black carbon sponge out and replace it with a fine white sponge. and it has these ring in the top of the filter (called bio chamber).

i have plastic plants in my tank. they move a little but not much. my pleco makes a real mess and its easier just to take everything out before water change/gravel clean.

i have had this filter since setting the tank up, and i have no problems so far (touch wood).