Over Filtering

[veloxci]

Hi all. Im thinking of moving to a external filter for my tank. Volumes around 150 L give or take with substrate & rocks and the question is, can you over filter water?
With filters is bigger always better? Any adverse effects with going for somthing that will filter x10 the tank volume in an hour?

Cheers

 

[nmonks]

It entirely depends on the fish being kept. Angelfish for example won't like water turnover rates much about 4-6 times the volume of the tank. But loaches are happiest with turnover rates of 8 times, 10 times or even more.

The main problems are stress (if the fish get buffeted about) and super-saturation of oxygen if there are too many bubbles in the water. If there are too many fine bubbles (so the water looks like mist) these can collect inside the fish, distorting the tissues. This isn't likely to happen with a filter, but can happen with certain types of airstones.

In any case, if you want a turnover rate of 10 times the volume of the tank, then by all means do so. But choose species that appreciate this type of water current. Loaches, minnows, suckermouth catfish, Tanganyikan cichlids, gobies, swordtails and South American puffers are examples of fish that love fast moving water.

Cheers, Neale

 

[llamalord305]

Its impossible. But I don't think its right calling it turnover, flow is a better term. For example, you can have angels with a 8 GPH, as long as the flow in the main water area is low. I hope I explained that correctly...

 

[fatheadminnow]

Yes and no.

-FHM