Is my filter too strong?

I did a substrate & filter change in one day, housed 3 fish that crapped a LOT and saw no mini-cycle even.

I simply scraped some of the scum out of the old filter, dropped it into the bottom of the new filter, added my existing sponge & bio-bag on one side of my twin filter and never saw any ammonia/nitrite spike.

As for a strong current, place live or fake plants underneath the current. This will help break up the current and weak swimming fish will be just fine.
 
@Marinemom

I use an EHEIM power filter... My teacher has a marine tank and he uses an EHEIM canister lol.

So then I'm going to have 2 power filters...

and there are types of bio-wheels? I just thought the bio-wheels were just a filter product that came in different sizes...


will adding a new filter create ammonia or nitrite or both? If it does, wouldn't it kill the fish?
 
The new filter does not create the ammonia and nitrites. It is a place for beneficial bacteris to grow. That bacteria converts ammonia to nitrites and nitrites to nitrates.

Why would it be your last post? Hang around read and learn. MTS is only a step away. Plus, your experiences can help other newbies!
 
Now i'm thinking that.....
When the bio-wheel's done getting the bacteria, I'm going to replace it with the EHEIM.

and the EHEIM is for 30 gallons >_>
BUT it has flow control:)
But I put the flow control on max..

the bio-wheel i'm going to get is for 20 gallons...
 
Can you use both filters on this tank? I think it would be the best of both worlds.

Marinemom

P.S. Adding the other filter will not kill your fish. If anything it will only help them.
 
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I just want to ask, how strong is too strong?

Like, what does the fish do when it's too strong?
or when it's ok flow?
 
If it is too strong than the fish will stear away from it as if they are afraid of it. If not, they look like the are playing in it.

Marinemom
 
well the fish swim behind the tube thing but not alot...
most the time, they just swim randomly either hiding or in the outside (the middle) wading...
 
I have an aquaclear 200 on my 10g and it is fine!!!!!! thats 200 GPH on a 10 gallon (I don't think it actualy flows that though) and yes I leave the flow controll on HIGH :P I just rubber banded a spong at the outlet and I have very little surface agitation or current, my fish love it! I'd recomend a larger filter if you have a heavily stocked tank or don't like alot of maintanence, theres always thigns you can do to decrease the current it creates.

I also have a Fluval 204 on my 20 gallon, It really helps to overfilter a tank IMO, less maintanence with the filters. I do see the fish play in the current sometimes but they usualy don't go right up to the outlet.

As it is I still have to clean my AC 200 every week! The 204 can go almost a month wih no maintanence.

so in short ABSOLUTLY NOT!
 
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Ok....
Should I use bio-wheel 100(up to 20 gal) or bio-wheel 150(up to 30 gal)? I noticed that the stick thingy looks shorter, the more gallons you need to filter. Or did they just shrink the whole thing in the picture...

I'm planning on penguin bio-wheel but...
it says "marineland" penguin bio-wheel. Isn't "marine" saltwater? Is it ok to use in a freshwater tank?
Wrap this up:
1)Bio-wheel 100 or 150.
2)Does the stick thing get shorter?
3)Should I use bio-wheel over EHEIM?
4)Is the "marineland" penguin bio-wheel compatible with freshwater tanks?
5)To start seeding bacteria on the bio-wheel, I need to put it WITH the EHEIM, right?
6)Well, for how long do I put them together?
7)Using 2 filters rated for 30 gal (or if biowheel 100, 30 and 20 gal), wouldn't it be too much current?
8)Wouldn't it be too much current with just a 30 gal filter itself?
9)Can someone give a more detailed explanation on how to determine that the current is too strong?
Extra:
10)Does the wheel really remove ammonia and nitrites? (i'm already cycled but just wanted to know for fun :D )
 
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