Whisper Filter

[Miss M]

We purchased a tank approx 8 mnths ago. It was a kit (40 gallon tank, stand, and filter included). Here's what I just noticed: The filter is a whisper 30 model, which I'm assuming is for a 30 gallon tank.

The tank is stocked with:
2 zebra danios
5 corys
1 otto
5 neons
2 glow lights
4 guppies (2 we've had for months, see info on the guppies below)
2 platys
1 molly
3 tetras (I think they're silver tip, I'm not sure)

The tank is doing good, and I'm faithful with the water changes once a week.
I've been trying to add 2 small fancy guppies, but they keep dying. (2 out of 5 have survived so far).

Do I need a larger filter, and if so, what's the easiest way to do so?
I know at this point the tank if fully stocked, but I want to make sure the filter is big enough for the tank.

Thanks for any help

 

[rdd1952]

Based on the general rule of thumb of 5x the tank volume, you do need a new filter. The 30 is only rated at 150 gph which is a litte les than 4x your tank volume. Factor in displacement of water by substrate, decorations, etc. and you are closer. I don't think you necessarily have to have a new one though. The fact that you are having touble with he guppies is probably related to something besides the filter as you don't appear to be overstocked and just adding 2 guppies wouldn't have enough of an effect on the bio-load to cause any type mini cycle.

There are a few things you can do if you want to upgrade. You could get a new filter, set it up and run it alongside the existing filter for a month or so and then remove the old one. You can get a new filter and move the media from the existing filter into it, basically changing nothing but the flow rate or you could get a second filter and run both on the tank together. I ran a Whisper 30 and a Whisper 20 together on my 29 gallon for about 2 years until one of them started to get noisy and I replaced both with a single Whisper 60. Running 2 filters togethergives you a litte security too. If one happens to quit working, you still have the other one to keep things running.

 

[mark.w.jones]

Bear in mind that 2 filters will obviously take up a fair amount more space. You will also have 2 input tubes and 2 output tubes to try and disguise and an extra plug socket to locate. It's often difficult enough just disguising the pipework and wiring from one filter let a known 2. Think carefully about the space you have before investing in a second filter and also the fact that its likely to be noisier, cost more in electricity and give you twice the amount of work in terms of cleaning. Weigh this up against the positives that RDD mentioned above and make your decision. Personally, I would go for a single external eheim cannister with an inline heater. Minimal clutter and a quaility filter which is easy to find spares for.

 

[rdd1952]

I agree that a good external would work great. I much prefer externals to HOBs. You can easily move the media from the current flter into an external.

 

[Miss M]

Thank you everyone for your advice.

I went and purchased a whisper 20-40 filter (that's the only model they had for a 40 gallon) and added the new filter cartridge along with my old cartridge (the old one needs to be replaced). I'll let that run for about a week or two, and hopefully the new filter cartridge will be all set so I don't get any spikes on any readings.

Thanks again

Miss M