Over Filtering?

[SimonSays]

My uncle has a spare filter thingy ( not sure what it is, looks extremely elaborate ) that's rated for a 150 gallon tank....what would happen if I were to put that filter on my 20 gallon tank? Would my fish be constantly fighting against the suction of the filter? if i were to over filter my tank what's the highest I could go without putting too much strain of my fish?

Thanks guys!

 

[thegnu]

hi,
a filter rated up to 150G would blast out about 270GPH now imagine that in a 20G tank and i think your fish would have trouble swimming in it

 

[atmmachine816]

It might be possible if it's a canister filter and you turn down the flow if it's adjustable and use a spray bar, not entirely sure but I'd have to agree with thegnu, it'l blast the fish away.

 

[Canis-Equus]

As the otheres have said - could turn your tank into a miniature whirlpool.

However if you can fit a spray bar or turn down the flow rate.... well id do it. I overfilter all my tanks unless im using the 12g as a fry tank.....

Em

 

[tropicaltone]

Hi,

Like the others have said, I think the flowrate would be too much for your 20Gal unless you can reduce it. I also believe in over filtering tanks. I have a 22Gal with fitration suitable for a 44Gal, My filters have more media surface area and less flow rate.

I also have a 55Gal tank which will be over filtered using a 70Gal Filter with high media surface area but a lower Flowrate than your usual 70Gal Filter.

Tropicaltone

 

[SteveC]

For what it's worth, that would probably also damage the filter. I assume it would be under far higher load trying to move that much water with so little available.

 

[Breeze7050]

I wouldn't over filter quite that much! could cause some damage. I think over filter by 50% is about the best you can safely do.
My 10G is filtered by a 20G filter and my 55g by a 80G filter. Doesn't spray like mad and keeps it pretty clean!

 

[SimonSays]

ahh thanks! i figured it's make my tank a little whirl pool, I think I'll end up getting a filter for a maybe a 30 -50 gal tank, what are the benefits of over filtering? could i get away from changing my water as much? i do it about every 2 weeks, 50% change over 2 days with treated water. I suck up alot of poop with my siphon thingy =(

 

[Arimus]

Thinking about from a beginers perspective (all I can do )

I would guess that a larger rated filter has more filter media in it giving a larger surface to get a bigger colony of bacteria on... so the filtration process will be alot more efficient. Having said that though I would have thought that the bacteria will only grow to the point at which the available food allows...

 

[andywg]

it all depends on the flow rate. I would say that anything up to 10x turnover should be ok for any fish that does not require somewhat still waters (s ono bettas) but fish such as danios and the like would probably really appreciate the exta flow.

I recently added a couple of spare old Tunze powerheads (each rated between 1000 and 2000 LPH) on to one end of my large tank and the fish absolutely love the flow.

So long as the flow is not too far over 200GPH and the fish selection is right it shouldn't be too bad. And you can always use spray bars or rocks to deflect the flow around to stop it being too much of a needle jet.

 

[Tolak]

It's all about directing the flow if you have fish that don't like a strong current. I have a 55 gallon with angels that I'm moving 580 gph with 3 filters. Direct that flow downward in a corner and you can easily filter a tank 10x per hour. Use a foam pre-filter on the intake with fry.

When I fill tanks I'm pumping in 10 gallons per minute on everything but the youngest fry. I have a home made pvc gizmo, looks like an inverted J on the end of my fill hose. I hook this on the side of the tank in a corner & let it rip. 600gph on a 29 full of angel fry, no problem. It goes straight down, hits the bottom, and spreads out. This cleans the bottom of bare tanks at the same time, everything gets picked up by the filters. I have tanks that I haven't touched the bottom in months, no need. Angels that don't like water flow have no problem with this, plecs & corys that like a little more flow scurry towards the hose for a little fun.

You won't hurt the filter running it on a smaller tank, as long as it has water to pump it will run fine. Most filters use the tank water to keep the motor cool. More flow on the bottom means less vac work, the filters pick up more debris.