Filter too big?

[d44hook]

Whew this new tank is wearing me out! Im fishless cycling a 55 gal FW today marks my first week. Today my tests are still the same Ammonia 5 Nitite 0 My PH is holding at 8.

My question is I purchased an Eheim 2217 and am wondering if this is too STRONG a filter for my aquarium. I was going to get a 2215 but an article I read said manufacturerr specs were inflated and just to be on the safe side I ordered the 2217.

Any thoughts?

 

[TKOS]

I run a fluval 304 on a 29 gallon tank and it is rated for somewhere around 55 gallons or more. I have no problems. Of course my fish choices seem to enjoys the higher output. So I guess it will all depend on what you are keeping in the tank.

The cycle will take awhile to get established if you didn't seed it but once it kicks in it goes fairly strong.

 

[tre8160]

That filter will be perfect for your tank. It was wise to opt for the larger filter. Congradulations on owning an Eheim, You won't be disapointed. they last alot of years and are completely silent. I see you went with the classic, I hope you sprung for the double taps, they'll make maitenance a whole lot easier.

 

[d44hook]

That filter will be perfect for your tank. It was wise to opt for the larger filter. Congradulations on owning an Eheim, You won't be disapointed. they last alot of years and are completely silent. I see you went with the classic, I hope you sprung for the double taps, they'll make maitenance a whole lot easier.

The double taps came with it Tre although I haven't even thought about how this will make maintenance on the filter easier. Thx for the reply. Was kinda worried cause anything that goes down one side of the tank quickly recirculates back to the other end and was worried this might be too much of a fight/current for the fish

 

[tre8160]

The classics didn't use to include the taps, use to have to spend an extra 30 $ or so for them. Anyway if your using the spray bar that came with the filter you can rotate it a little more towards the glass if the current's too much for the fish. Once the filter begins to accumulate some waste the flow will diminish some.

 

[anonapersona]

flow rate vs velocity

If you drill the holes in the spray bar just a bit larger, the velocity will be reduced a bit. You can also remove the spray bar altogether and just have the hose itself hld by a few suction cups for the most gentle flow.

Take this time to play with the various ways to have it set up, before you add the fish. Drop a few bits of food into the tank to see how the ciruclation is, and where in the tank the bits end up. Some people like the bits to be swept to the front where they can be easily removed, others like them to be swept to a corner somewhere out of sight until cleaning day. Some like them to be sucked right into the filter -- but this will lead to more filter cleaning for you and less food if the fish are a bit slow to catch it all.

 

[hobie237]

The cycle will take awhile to get established if you didn't seed it but once it kicks in it goes fairly strong.

I've never heard of problems from over-filtering a tank, but then again, there are plenty of things I dont know...

But I would seed the tank with some BioSpira, especially since you dont have any fish in there to make waste. Throw some fish food in there so it breaks down and feeds the bacteria...

 

[TKOS]

I didn't say that over filtering would slow the cycle. My sentence actually says ...

"...if you didn't seed it..."

And don't use biospira unless you have a plan to keep the ammonia levels high. It is best used when adding fish.

 

[wesleydnunder]

Can one over-filter? IMO not unless the fish are getting pinned against the front glass.

 

[debaric]

should i get a 2215 classic for a 75 gallon tank and just that? the **** thing is 130 bucks... please let me know if i would need more filtation than that.