Can you OVER filter?

[andi872]

I have a 55 gal tank, and started with a hang on pump system and now have 2 on the tank (one at each end)both for 45-60 gal tanks, I also have the tray part for a undergravel system, and have read contradictory info on these. Should I get the tubing and pump to activate this or not? I'm still in the middle of my cycling process, i was given an abundance of guppys.

Thank you to any advice

 

[southpaw]

You can never overfilter a tank.....

But you can cause too much water current using multiple filters ..... if too much current is in the tank alot of fish will ignore the high current areas and bunch up in places where current is less.

 

[andi872]

for some reason the gupys like to play in both the bubbles and the curent areas of the tank.

 

[southpaw]

Some fish are fine with the current..... I was just letting you know so you could look into what fish like it and what dont when you start fully stocking.

 

[andi872]

thank you

should I do the undergravel filter?

 

[Star_Rider]

if you have not installed the plates for the UGF then you can hold off on that.
if they are in place either get them up and running or remove them.

if you run powerheads on ugfs they tend to be more efficient at keeping the 'mulm'/detritus from building up under the plates.
you can also set them up for rfug(reverse flow) which pushes water up thru the plates rather than draw the water thru the plates.

 

[andi872]

the plates are already there which method would you do?

i just need to get tubes and a form of force for it, I'm open for any thing that will help my tank be a better enviroment, and I do have live plants too (if that helps choose a better method)

again Thanks

 

[ansbfish]

if you have plants I'm pretty sure you don't want an UGF running as you will need to gravel vac, and it will disturb the plants every time you do it.
I'd just yank it out myself.

 

[Sploke]

You have to gravel vac anyway...what difference would the plates make?

 

[Nolapete]

You can never over filter, but you can have too much current for a particular fish.