Filtration questions

[AaronW]

Im starting a 60 gallon planted community tank. Was thinking about getting a fluval 405. Currently I have an aquaclear 70. I'm not sure if I should combine the 405 or just double up on the AC70. What do you think?

 

[marshy92]

Eheim 2217 all the way, quiet, reliable, good quality, great support from the company, easy to change media to whatever suits you and is around the same price at the fluval 405 and the eheim does 1000LPH, to my knoledge thats more than the fluval. only thing is some people find the Eheim a bit fiddly to set up and prime.

Overall Eheim filters are the best external filters I've come accross, cant fault them.

 

[AaronW]

Eheim 2217 all the way, quiet, reliable, good quality, great support from the company, easy to change media to whatever suits you and is around the same price at the fluval 405 and the eheim does 1000LPH, to my knoledge thats more than the fluval. only thing is some people find the Eheim a bit fiddly to set up and prime.

Overall Eheim filters are the best external filters I've come accross, cant fault them.

Thanks! Was it the customer service that made you wanna buy it?

 

[jcolon]

Personally, as you already have an AC-70 ... I'd say just double up. Nothing wrong with the fluval 405/406 or the eheim ... Both are great canisters, but you don't have to go that high in GPH. I'm running an AC-70 on my 75gal (my fluval 404 died) and I'll be doubling up next month. I'm very impressed with the ability of my 70 to move water.

 

[AaronW]

Personally, as you already have an AC-70 ... I'd say just double up. Nothing wrong with the fluval 405/406 or the eheim ... Both are great canisters, but you don't have to go that high in GPH. I'm running an AC-70 on my 75gal (my fluval 404 died) and I'll be doubling up next month. I'm very impressed with the ability of my 70 to move water.

Thanks. I wish I could ind one for cheap so I can focus on my plant stock list.

 

[Wroberson]

I'm with Jcolon here. I have 2 HOD filters and my water have never been cloudy in over 18 months. Even when/if I get a canister, I will have an HOB filter in use. 2 filters means that should one break to become clogged and stop working, your tank will still be filtered by the one that isn't broke. 2 filters is a redundant system and as long as there electricity, the entire system shouldn't crash.

Yes. I would love to get a canister.

 

[Mrc8858]

Got 4 HOBs on my 46 bowfront cichlid tank which ill be leaving two on if/when I get/build a canister for it lol

 

[AaronW]

I'm with Jcolon here. I have 2 HOD filters and my water have never been cloudy in over 18 months. Even when/if I get a canister, I will have an HOB filter in use. 2 filters means that should one break to become clogged and stop working, your tank will still be filtered by the one that isn't broke. 2 filters is a redundant system and as long as there electricity, the entire system shouldn't crash.

Yes. I would love to get a canister.

I think getting the 2nd HOB is going to be the most economical. But I would like a canister. Say I were to run 2 HOBs and a canister. Would I be able to overstock?

 

[Mrc8858]

It would increase the surface area for good bacteria and increase your gph so you could handle a larger Bioload but that's not exactly the same as overstocking imo so yes and no.

 

[AaronW]

It would increase the surface area for good bacteria and increase your gph so you could handle a larger Bioload but that's not exactly the same as overstocking imo so yes and no.

I don't think I'll overstock heard that's a headache

 

[jcolon]

I think getting the 2nd HOB is going to be the most economical. But I would like a canister. Say I were to run 2 HOBs and a canister. Would I be able to overstock?

You could probably stock a little heavier than normal, but I'd say don't. Overstocking really comes down to the amount of nitrates being produced and are you able to keep it in check. Filters don't deal with nitrates so in the end your still depending on PWC's and plants (if you have any) to help keep nitrates down.

Two AC-70's should be more than enough ... or a canister with your current
AC-70.

 

[jondamon]

I currently use a 206 on my moderately planted 50g lightly stocked community tank. I also use a fluval U2 internal filter to create extra flow. But I'm able to run just the 206 without issue thanks to all the plants.

I do have a hydor Koralia powerhead for water movement also. Without the powerhead the 206 wouldn't create enough movement of water on its own.

I think the 406 has the same outlet as the 206 so it wouldn't create much movement without either an aftermarket outlet attachment or powerhead.


Jon

 

[AaronW]

You could probably stock a little heavier than normal, but I'd say don't. Overstocking really comes down to the amount of nitrates being produced and are you able to keep it in check. Filters don't deal with nitrates so in the end your still depending on PWC's and plants (if you have any) to help keep nitrates down.

Two AC-70's should be more than enough ... or a canister with your current
AC-70.

Thanks. Don't think I wanna spend the money on a canister.

 

[Wroberson]

I wasn't recommending to overstock. I think, most people overstock at some point. I don;t mean this negatively, it just happens. Sometimes it's hard to walk away from the pet store empty handed when they have a sale. Most people who have been at this for a few years tend to take good care of the fish.

If you're wondering, there's a site out on the web that can tell you if you;re overstocked. I'm sure the pet stores hate it, but it's a tool that give you an answer. Another way is to measure the biggest fish in the tank and multiply by the number of fish in the tank. Example, I have 23 fish, the biggest one is about 6 inches. I have about 140 inches of fish even though I have 6-7 that was 1.5 to 2 inches. It gives you a safe estimate as most fish are different sizes.

The problems with overstocking is keeping up with the water parameters. That's the easy one. The next thing would be the fish not having enough space, like having enough space is possible in a tank. Being crowded causes chasing which leads to the occasional injury. The only way to fix that is a bigger tank. Something many of us strive to afford. I personally started with a 10g tank 3 years ago at least and have upgraded twice. A 125 is only 400 bucks new.

 

[AaronW]

I wasn't recommending to overstock. I think, most people overstock at some point. I don;t mean this negatively, it just happens. Sometimes it's hard to walk away from the pet store empty handed when they have a sale. Most people who have been at this for a few years tend to take good care of the fish.

If you're wondering, there's a site out on the web that can tell you if you;re overstocked. I'm sure the pet stores hate it, but it's a tool that give you an answer. Another way is to measure the biggest fish in the tank and multiply by the number of fish in the tank. Example, I have 23 fish, the biggest one is about 6 inches. I have about 140 inches of fish even though I have 6-7 that was 1.5 to 2 inches. It gives you a safe estimate as most fish are different sizes.

The problems with overstocking is keeping up with the water parameters. That's the easy one. The next thing would be the fish not having enough space, like having enough space is possible in a tank. Being crowded causes chasing which leads to the occasional injury. The only way to fix that is a bigger tank. Something many of us strive to afford. I personally started with a 10g tank 3 years ago at least and have upgraded twice. A 125 is only 400 bucks new.

Do you have the name of the website? That sounds really helpful.

 

[Zimmanski]

Do you have the name of the website? That sounds really helpful.

Pretty sure it was aqadvisor.com that was being described. A very good tool, but not the definite answer. I use it all the time though

 

[AaronW]

Hey everyone! I found a great deal on Craig's list for a fluval 405. I think I'm gonna buy it. I was wondering if anyone could tell me their experience with the 405.