filtration amount

[nattybrack]

I have a 55gal with a Whisper 3 (300gph), and an aquaclear 150. I was thinking of dropping the ac150, as this side of the tank seems to be real dirty (upon gravel cleaning), even though I am up to date on changing the media. I know there is a debate between the emperor, aquaclear and even penguin, but I am leaning towards an emperor 400.

Would this amount of filtration, a whisper3 and an emperor 400, be OK for a 55? I have 8 (soon to be 11) malawi cichlids, all roughly 2".

What was the rule of thumb for gph per gallon?

[125gJoe]

Have you looked into canister filters? A HOB and a canister is a nice combination. :)

[nattybrack]

To be honest, no, not really. I've been happy with the HOB in the past and thought to stick with it. What advantage do you think a canister filter will give the tank?

[JSchmidt]

There really is no good rule of thumb for gph of filtration. I think a Whisper 3 and an Emp 400 should be fine, especially if the current setup has almost been doing the job.

I'd suggest you buy several Aquaclear 500 sponges and cut them to fit the media wells in the Emp. They are much cheaper than the cartridges and they do a fine job of mech filtration.

Jim

[125gJoe]

Canister filters have more room for 'filter media', and have a 'larger filter coverage area'. Meaning, I think canisters trap more debris.

[nattybrack]

huh... tough one. I think I may stick with the HOB for now, with the thought that the whisper will be a short lived filter. I've heard they're really not too good. I like the idea of a cannister but really haven't given it to much thought. I will however do some research on it. Thank you for your thoughts and the suggestion.

I thought I read once that for every gallon of water you should have 5 or ??? gph.

[JSchmidt]

Originally posted by nattybrack


I thought I read once that for every gallon of water you should have 5 or ??? gph.

That one of the values... sometimes it's 5 gph, sometimes 10... it's meaningless, though, because it doesn't take into account all sorts of meaningful information, like what kind of fish you keep, how many, the efficiency of the filters at mechanical and biological filtration...

Of all the aquaristic 'rules of thumb', that's one of the less meaningful (coming in a close second to the 'inch of fish per gallon of water' rule).

HTH,
Jim

[nattybrack]

I heard 1 1/2" :D


Thanks