2 filters better than 1?

C

Crash-n-Burn

AC Members
Oct 30, 2005
5
0
0
Hey guys, we are newbs to the fish scene and my girlfriend recently (yesterday) bought a 20 gallon starter kit (tank, filter, heater, thermometer, hood/light). Today we bought all the decoration and we have it filtering with the Tetra Whisper Power Filter 20.

The LSF said we can only get about 7 or 8 fish which I think is BS and I read the whole fish per sq inch thread. We are looking to get tetras and fancy guppies. Obviously we want more then 7 or 8 of them and we were wondering if one Tetra Whisper Power Filter would be enough filtration to get as a good amount of fish in there, we were thinking at least 15.

Should we get another Power Filter or should we look at a bio-wheel filter, what are some of our best options?

We did not set-up an undergravel filter which I now regret but it's too late for that:) Do you guys think it would be worth it to remove everything and get an undergravel filter and start again?

Any other recomendations are welcome!

Also how many hours a day and when should we keep the light on? It's a flourcent light.

Eventually we would like to have a saltwater reef tank but we want to start small before we plunge into an investment like that.

Thanks In Advance!
 
Last edited:
I personally would not do an underground filter. Now I used to be big into them and have had them blow up on me and kill off all my fish, and I was maintaining the UGF as recomended. I am glad you read the 1 inch of fish per gallon myth and yes you can get more fish, but unless you are going to do a fishless cycle you should add your fish slow.

As for other filtration a bio-wheel is a great thing, and having a second filter is not a bad thing to do. Your tank is smaller so you can decide what you want to do, but a few options are a canister filter with a bio-wheel. If you want to save a few bucks get one used either on craigs list, e-bay, or local papers. You can go with a HOB (hang on back) filter with a bio-wheel, or you can get one of the small internal filters and they usually have a sponge in them.

For the light I am going to assume that you have plastic plants since it was a kit. The light is said to be for viewing only, but I have notticed that when I did that and I would go for a day or two with out turning the light on my fish would lose their color (which equals stress). I have also read that it is a good thing to have the light on 10-12 hours a day. I have my florecent light on a timer for 10 hours and my fish have been healthy.
 
Fish being pale or mottled is not necessarily stress, in the case of lights-off, it is adaptation to the current conditions.

Opting for more than one filter system is a personal choice item. Many of us use redundant systems as insurance and a safety factor. All of my tanks are multifiltered.

HOBs, canisters, W/Ds, UG/RFUG, etc. are all perfectly acceptable filter formats. Each has its own requirements for upkeep. The choice is again in part personal, in part the needs of the particualr fish to be housed. But over-filtration does not in itself allow overstocking. Extra filtration makes upkeep easier and safer, but it des not change the capacity of the system.
 
A second filter would be ok, but if you really want to be able to keep more fish get some live plants. You don't need to fill your whole tank with plants, one or two for know would be fine and would really help support more fish. Java ferns and Anubius plants are really hardy if your just starting off. I know some one with a 29 gallon planted tank and he has 30 fish in there! Also, if you want to keep tetras make sure your tank is set up exactly right or get ready to spend a lot of money, because tetras are very, I repeat very fragile fish, especially the neons. A good alternitive, if your not really stuck on tetras, is to get white clouds. They are a schooling fish and look a lot like tetras as far as body shape, and are very hardy. Make sure you read the sticky on cycling your tank before you add your final inhabitants. Good luck, and welcome to the hobby.
 
With getting live plants, are there any special ways to plant them? Or do you just secure them into the gravel and let the roots grow? We have white gravel substrait.

Also would it be ok for me to stick my hand into the water? This would be before we put fish in there and are still having the tank cycle.

Also, thanks so far, this fourm has been great!
 
Last edited:
Yes you can put your hands in the tank, just wash your hands before (not using soap) and wash your hands after with soap.
 
yes you can just plant the plants in the gravel, and you can just attach java ferns to rocks or driftwood if you want. And don't worry about putting your hands in the tank I do it all the time when I have to net fish or do regular water changes or fix my plant, you get the idea just make sure your hands aren't really dirty or covered in some forein chemicals or something.
 
Iv been reading and apprently bio-wheel filters are no good for planted tanks?

Also do I need to set up and CO2 system for just a few plants or would that be overkill?

I'm looking into the Hagen Aquaclear mini for our 2nd HOB. A canister would be to much of a space waster. I can't wait to get fish in the tank!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom