Filter helpy

[bortsamson]

is there an advantage to using canister filtering? right now I have a penguin 330 for my 50, and i think its having trouble keeping up with the tank, I actually had to add my old power filter 10 to help along, so, rather then just barely keep up, I would rather have more filteration then necessary, SO, opinions people!!! Thank you :D :D :D :D :confused:

[OrionGirl]

If the filter is rated for the tank size, you may be overstocked. What makes you feel the filter is inadequate? Nitrates? Cloudiness? Solids?

Canisters are like hobs--some are great, others are fussy. They don't provide better filtration than most hobs, although certainly some are much better. They are usually easy to maintain, and are easier to hide than the hob, with less 'stuff' in the tank.

[bortsamson]

cloudiness was a major problem. I had to do a solid week of daily water changes to get it where it is now, which is not bad, but still I would like a crystal clear tank, which is what the filter I have now states it will do, but ya know, advertising n such. Also, the actual filters inside the uh, filter, lol, get full of junk pretty quick, so I wanna avoid having to change filters alot. Another thing, I want to reduce ammonia levels, which in my tank, according to my test kit, are sitting at 6.0 to 7.0, BUT!! the fish arent dying, at all, even delicate neons arent dying.....anymore, lol. The test results havent varied at all, so I personally think the test kit isnt working properly, but thats another story

[OrionGirl]

If the filter is getting clogged quickly, that means it's doing it's job. Sounds like maybe the tank is over stocked. What kind of in-tank cleaning do you perform with each water change, and how often? What fish/plants are in there?

As for the testing--have your results verified by your LFS. Ammonia that high will kill fish, especially sustained levels. So, I agree the test kit is likely faulty. Check the expiration date--they do go bad, after all.