too much filtration

[manddave]

Hello,


A couple of days ago I bought a new filter for a new tank I have. At the moment it is in my 33g community tank. (I put it in there to get some good bacteria build up in it.) I also have another filter in there that has been in there for as long as i have had it. Combined they filter 1400 litres an hour. Is this safe?

They are both canister filters. The new one has activated carbon. How much activated carbon should be in the filter? (as much as the chamber can hold?)

I am asking because one of the eupterus is acting strange. It is in the corner in an open space and its gills are moving rapidly. I have noticed over the past couple of days that the other feather fin syno has been chasing and bothering it. Could it be just hiding from the dominant one.


Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0



Thank you

 

[andyt_uk]

well i know some fish enjoy a strong current to swim in, and others dont
so with that much filtration going on you may be creating too much current

 

[yhbae]

For me personally, as long as the fishes can handle the current, more the better. You have just over 10x rate. Most of my tanks are at 10x and none of the fishes are struggling - even the fries seem ok... Once in a while, I see panda cories swiming backwards, but my understanding is that cories like fast current in general...

Do you see any fishes struggling against the current in your tank?

 

[smb]

I agree with yhbae. Of course it depends on the species but for the most part fish like there to be a place in the aquarium they can "use the treadmill".

I have my smallmouth bass and piranha tanks just flying but my cichlids only half the tank is. This builds them up and keeps them active. I'm sure community fish aren't as extreme but would like a little area to play in.

Like mentioned, if they have a place to hide from the current and aren't fighting it al of the time, then it should be ok. Do you have that?

 

[guppymonkey]

Shouldn't be a problem unless the fish are used to slow water. Bettas hate strong currents but danios love it. Shouldn't cause any fish to gasp for breath.

 

[manddave]

Hey, thanks for the advice.

The fish are doing fine against the current. I was just a bit worried about the featherfin syno because he was just sitting out in open water and i have never seen it do that before. He is fine now.

There are plenty of places the fish can escape the current.

Do any of you know how much activated carbon should be in the filter? I am just a little unsure (forgot to ask the fish store guy). At the moment I have the little chamber filled with it. I not even sure if it matters that much.



Thanks

 

[yhbae]

What is the reason for using the active carbon? (Got some with my pwer filters but never used it).

So far, I didn't use it but I never have issues with the water quality. I am saving it just in case if I need to either remove some toxic chemicals or medicine quickly but under normal circumstances, not sure why it is needed...

 

[manddave]

oh....... I thought activated carbon was used to get great water quality. I thought that I may as well put it in there kind of like a bonus water cleaner. Is it ok to have it there running constantly to make the water "extra" clean or will it just be a waste. At the moment I have no troubles with the water perams or cleanliness.


Thanks

 

[yhbae]

My understanding is that active carbon looses its effectiveness after about a week or two of use (about the same as those filters used by brita for drinking water). So if you kept it there for over 2 weeks, I don't think it is helping the tank anyways..

If your water is fine, I doubt you will need to use it. Keep it for future emergency!