Filter question

[Mercury64]

I have a question in ref to filter
My daughter got a 30 gal tank from a friend, I was goingto sert it up for her ,she does not have a filter, I have a 170 external filter, whisper I believe that someone gave me and I'm not using it
Do you think that filter is big enought for the tank ?

 

[Menagerie]

170 external filter, whisper

You will need to go to the filter maker's website and find out the gph and then we'll know if it is big enough.

 

[Mercury64]

I here what your saying, just trying to figure out the recipe for this
when you got to a fish store and ask for a filter they know what size to use for the size of tank you have

 

[CiRXSi]

Well, there are many measurements they go by. Some name their filters by the tank size. IE, a filter named "40" is good enough for a 40 gallon tank. Others, like "170", is named after the gph that filter is rated at. Either way, many of us go by this rule. You should try for at least 6 times the size of the tank. So for a 30 gallon, you want to try and filter at least 180 gph. If your filter does actually put out 170, then I wouldn't worry about getting a second filter to supplement right away. But see how it goes.

 

[chasgood]

Filter makers are bad about overrating the filters. Some only do half what they say they will with filter media installed.
The filter or filters should turnover the water 6 to 8 times per hour. 30gal x 6 = 180. 30x8=240
Looks like the whisper 170 is a bare minimum fit if the gph is as stated.

If you see a filter in a store that says rated for 15 to 30 gal tank dont use it for more than a 20gal. Find one that the low end rating matches your tank.