Enough Filtration/circulation? 20 gal tank; 20 gal HOB

zzyzx85

the casual hobbyist

Dec 3, 2007

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• Dec 8, 2007

• #1

I'm wondering if I have enough filtration/circulation for my tank. I currently have a 20 gallon tank with the current residents in my sig. I will be adding more plants. Filter is a Whisper 20 using Bio-Bags and the bio add-in filter. My water is clear but there's a lot of "stuff" floating around. A lot of the "stuff" settles onto the gravel, the fern, and into my java moss, which requires me to clean it out every time I do a water change. I don't think my filter is providing enough circulation to get this "stuff" moving and into the filter.

If the Whisper 20 is enough, would adding a powerhead to aid circulation help or would I be asking for really dusty water?

Thanks

 

fishieperson321

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Mar 17, 2006

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• Dec 8, 2007

• #2

A Whisper 20 is BARE MINIMUM for a 20 gallon tank, but is more for a 10 gallon. You should add another Whisper 20 aor remove the Whisper that is on the tank and add a Whisper 30 or 40. That would provide more water movement and cleaner water.

Daniel

 

Mgamer20o0

BobsTropicalPlants.com

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• Dec 9, 2007

• #3

i would get a aqua clear filter put some sponges and pollyfil in. that will sure polish the water.

 

zzyzx85

the casual hobbyist

Dec 3, 2007

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• Dec 9, 2007

• #4

Thanks. Yeah, I was thinking that Whisper 20 is the absolute minimum for 20 gallons. Nothing was really getting clean. Would this one suffice? http://www.aquariumguys.com/aquaclear1.html

 

Mgamer20o0

BobsTropicalPlants.com

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• Dec 9, 2007

• #5

thats what i run on a few of my 20 gal long tanks. keep both filters on the tank.

 

zzyzx85

the casual hobbyist

Dec 3, 2007

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• Dec 9, 2007

• #6

Ok. I'll order one next week along with some polyfill and extra sponges. Should I be looking for sponges made by hagen? or would any filter sponge that fits work?

Also, how should I arrange the filters? http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=135004 The intake on the whisper is on the right, the intake on the AC is on the left. Intakes in the center or on the outside? Or AC on the back, Whisper on the side? Heh heh, I could mess around with this and have some odd flow in the tank.

Guess those RCS will have to wait until more filtration comes in.

 

Mgamer20o0

BobsTropicalPlants.com

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• Dec 9, 2007

• #7

it comes with sponges and carbon. how ever you like it to be. maybe one on each end on the back.

 

Rbishop

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Dec 30, 2005

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• Dec 9, 2007

• #8

Ditto..double things up and add floss.

 

Cory Keeper

LED Guru of Aquaria Central

Aug 7, 2007

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• Dec 9, 2007

• #9

I agree, I've been bitten twice now with that "filter rating system". Get more filtration.

 

zzyzx85

the casual hobbyist

Dec 3, 2007

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• Dec 9, 2007

• #10

So for the AC filter, the polyfil/floss is the first/mechanical filtration stage, the sponge is bio stage, and the carbon, should I decide to use it, is the chemical/last stage?