2 filters better than 1?

the more filtration the better, and its never a bad idea to have more than one, but for a 20g tank I don't think it is necessary. Personally, I would just get one, that is rated a bit bigger than the tank you have. Also, more filters does not equal more fish, if someone gave you that idea :) !!! Depending on what kind of tetra you get, I would say for the smaller species you could do 12 or so of one kind and a few guppys. Consider only getting one kind, they will school much better. If you get several different kinds and just 3 or 4 of each chances are they will not really school, just more or less swim around however. There is nothing wrong with that, but consider how you want the tank to look!
Good luck
 
I have two HOB filters on my 29G. It's a great idea especially if one breaks down you still have the filtration of the other. It doesn't hurt to have a back up Heater as well as I have had my heater break down before. Not to use them at the same time but only to have one as back up ready to go.

Extra never hurts! :)
 
Cloudy water all of a sudden?

Hi guys! Is it normal for the water to turn cloudy around the second or third day of tank cycling? Will it go away? Could the filter possibly be broken?



Only four more days till FISHIES!!!!! Yay!!

P.S.- Thanks for all the wonderful info you guys have shared with us. This has been such a pleasureable experiance.
 
If it is milky cloudiness, then you have a bacteria bloom. Which is normal for tank the cycling process.

Rohn
 
I see eveyone answerd your questions. But i got a lil tip for you, when using filters dont go out and spend extra money on a filter thats made for it, just go to your local store, look for scrubbing sponges that are flat, but big so you can cut them into the size you need.

At my store, i got a pack of 20 of thos sponges, cut them up to fit my 2 filters, cut out 2 more layers, and they work wonders.

And the 20pack of sponges only cost 2bucks, where a pack of 2 filter with stuff you dont really need cost around 8.

These packs are mostly found in asian stores, so check them.

Just a money saving tip.

-Q
 
Be very careful buying hosehold-use sponges for use in and around tanks. Many of the products are impregnated with ingredients which can be deadly to you filters and possibly to the entire setup. Think of adding the bacteriaostatic spnges to you filter - total biofiltration wipe-out, or any sponges with residual detergents leading to fish death. Not good practice IMHO.
 
You can mail-order the filter cartridges (Bio-bags) for the Whisper for less than $1 a piece. The Whisper is a good design, and I wouldn't circumvent it to save a dollar a month. The cartridges are separate from the biological medium (Bio-foam) so replacing the cartridges doesn't hurt the bacterial colonies, and the cartridges fit into slots in the filter so that water won't leak around and clog the biofoam. Also, by using the media designed for the filters, you're ensuring proper water flow and no contamination.

I'm curious about your comment about the bacteria bloom on the third day of cycling, and "only four more days until fishies." Are you doing a fishless cycle? Fishy or fishless cycle, I can't imagine you're ready to add (more) fish this soon. Cycles usually take four to six weeks to establish.
 
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I agree with RTR, since the sponges should last a really long time, I would just spend the extra couple of dollars and buy them from the LFS or online which would be even cheaper. There was a thread a little while back and someone wiped out their whole fish tank using the wrong kind of sponge. It was a bigger tank and we played 20 questions trying to figure out why all their fish died within a couple of days and turned out they had bought what they thought was a chemical free sponge to clean the algae off the glass :sad:

TIP, maybe you have a link or a specific brand?? Not trying to knock your suggestion :)
 
I'm not into paying extramoney for the same. Now I replace the filter media with somethnig known as "WATA" which is used to fill pillows and some fabric ornaments. Water flows rapidly and a lot of debris is trapped in the floss. Also, I can buy 2 pounds for about $1 and that much would last over a year in a single Whisper 20 Power Filter.

The money I save into stuff like that I like to invest it in quality equipment like the heaters ans pumps, since failing electric equipment is critical
 
Each to his own on personal choice items, but I do have many Eheim sponges and FilterMax prefilter sponges that are in constant use, rinsed weekly, and are several years old, some well over ten years old. I know they are safe, I know what they will and will not capture, and I know that they are good indefinitely. I do not like disposable tank equipment. To me, if I am going to do it at all, I want everything but the water to last. I frequently pay more upfront than many folks do, but on life cycle costs, I know that I pay less than most folks on these boards.
 
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