How Much Over?

[fishboyt]

How much over should you go when buying a filter for your tank?

[cichlid1409]

i try and aim for a gph 10x or more the size of the tank ....10g tank = 100gph filter

[fishboyt]

So if I'm buying a filter for a 29g, it would have to be 290gph?

[cichlid1409]

right. thats just a general rule i try and go by.

[fishboyt]

OK, thanks!

[Darbex]

Just my 5 cents. But it depends on what the tank is for. Eg. Discus wont need and wont like a high turnover ratio, but Africans do. And SA/CA river fish like faster moving water.

[tnguyen]

Just my 5 cents. But it depends on what the tank is for. Eg. Discus wont need and wont like a high turnover ratio, but Africans do. And SA/CA river fish like faster moving water.

+1

[Complexity]

I go for 10X, as well. And this includes with my planted tanks.

I can (and do) reduce the flow when needed, but you can never increase it if your filter is too small. I also find the strong flow beneficial as my tanks have evolved. Adding things, such as reactors, UV sterilizers, extra intake valves, longer spray bars, or whatever, I like having more than ample flow to handle it all. I use customflo intake/output plumbing which allows me to control every intake/output element for whatever configuration I want. I like the flexibility of it all.

It's my understanding that reducing the flow on the output side does not harm the filter. It simply causes the water to remain in the filter longer which I have heard can actually help to filter the water even more. Do not reduce the flow on the intake side, however, as that can burn up your filter motor.

Also remember that the flow rating on the box is the very highest flow the filter can handle. I don't think they even use filter media when testing the flow. So once you fill the canister with sponges, media, and then it begins to clog from normal use, your flow will be lower than what the filter's box claimed.

I'd rather over filter than under filter. I can always reduce the flow of a larger filter, but I can't increase the flow of a smaller filter.

[fishboyt]

Thanks! That's exactly how I look at it!

[PhishPhreek]

I find that 2x the manufacturers rateing works for me.
Find a filter rated for a 30g tank and use 2 of them on your 29.
then change the media on opposite weeks, so the bio is always working.

I find that Tetras love a high flow rate and like to swim against the current of my power heads while my gourami like still water where they can lay about under he overhang of my HOBs. So consider your fish before you set it up.

[geoff_tropheus]

Depends on the fish and the stocking level.

General rule of thumb is 5:1 turnover for a moderate stocked tank.

If you got big fishes, or are over stocked, then 10:1 turnover

[Complexity]

I find that 2x the manufacturers rateing works for me.
Find a filter rated for a 30g tank and use 2 of them on your 29.
then change the media on opposite weeks, so the bio is always working.

I agree with this. I am very much in favor of redundancy of having two filters instead of one. There are many advantages to having two filters on a tank, including maintaining healthy bio levels when cleaning filters.

I should add that my preference for overfiltering is partly due to my preference for overstocking fish.

Keep in mind that the current in a tank is not solely controlled by the filter's flow rating. How the output is designed has just as much to do with it. An output with one pinched spout will create a much higher current in the tank than using a long spray bar. It's the same as using a sprayer at the end of a garden house vs. a sprinkler. Same amount of water coming out (same flow rate), but different amount of pressure applied to the outgoing water, creating a different level of current in the water.

[Zulaab]

So in short Fishboyt get a aquaclear 70 and you will good to go.
If you want a canister filtrer I would say a Eheim 2213 should take care of you there :)

[fishboyt]

So in short Fishboyt get a aquaclear 70 and you will good to go.
If you want a canister filtrer I would say a Eheim 2213 should take care of you there :)

Thanks! :)