I recently upgraded from my Aqueon 10 gallon aquarium to a Tetra 55 gallon. The setup came with a Tetra Whisper 60 HOB filter. I was planning on eventually using live plants, and I've heard of the superiority of canister filters for that. My concern also was that I might eventually need a little more filtration as my population gets closer to the max load. I've looked at the Fluval 406 and soon to be released 407 which look like perfect options. I'd hate to waste the Whisper 60 though. I used a fish stocking calculator the other day (I know they're flawed and not perfect), and it gave me a warning of too much filtration flow for some of my smaller tetras if I ran the Fluval 406 and the Whisper 60 together. I've read that it's not really about the flow rate but the flow route. As long as you break up the flow with things in the tank so the fish can find spots of relief, you should be fine. I figured that since one was a HOB and the other a canister, I should be ok. Any thoughts on this? Again, I realize I'd likely be way overfiltered, but I'd rather be that than right at the edge, and this way I'd also have some backup if one of the filters went down.
Max Filter Flow Rate
- Thread starter Drewbacca
- Start date
I like 2 filters on my tanks. That way I can really clean 1 & still have enough beneficial bacteria to quickly reestablish any lost during cleaning. (I use running tap water to clean them alternately, every 2 weeks...or so)
As for flow, it depends on your fish. What species do you have or plan on? Yes, décor can help diffuse the filter return, as can a spray bar on canisters...& many fish only need a calmer area to rest in. Some like flow to play in, even long finned bettas, etc.
As for flow, it depends on your fish. What species do you have or plan on? Yes, décor can help diffuse the filter return, as can a spray bar on canisters...& many fish only need a calmer area to rest in. Some like flow to play in, even long finned bettas, etc.
I have 4 white clouds, 4 glowlight tetras, 2 panda corys, 1 clown pleco, and 1 gold panda lyretail molly. I’m not planning on expanding that until the new tank finishes cycling then I’ll fill out the 3 schooling fish to happier sizes. Before someone says anything, yes, I know the white clouds, mollies, and tetras are from pretty different biotopes. I’m keeping the temp at 75.6 and everyone seems to be happy. That’s a little warm for the white clouds, but they’re pretty hardy fish. I wasn’t aware of the problem when I was filling out my 10g. Anyway, that’s a forum debate for a different topic. I’m just looking ahead eventually to the point where I could have flow issues with two filters that can each individually handle a 55g alone when they’re not heavily stocked.
The only fish I see you "might" have flow issues with are the tetras...& like I said, as long as long they have a lower flow area, if needed, they should be fine.
Some of the fish you have prefer different temps or water hardness (in the wild at least). But most of those are commercially bred & may not be as sensitive as their wild counterparts.
This is a great opportunity to get enough of each schooling or shoaling species; a minimum of 6 of each species, more is better! Clown plecos are happy as a single fish. I haven't kept mollies but they're social (without the schooling minimum number needed). Keep in mind any female livebearer is likely "gravid" (carries fertilized embryos) when you get 1. They can quickly over populate a tank, even if a few small newborns are eaten.
This is a great opportunity to get enough of each schooling or shoaling species; a minimum of 6 of each species, more is better! Clown plecos are happy as a single fish. I haven't kept mollies but they're social (without the schooling minimum number needed). Keep in mind any female livebearer is likely "gravid" (carries fertilized embryos) when you get 1. They can quickly over populate a tank, even if a few small newborns are eaten.
Right, I was gonna increase to 8 white clouds, 8 glowlight tetras, and 8 corys. I then would have alot of small schooling fish. I'd like to either get a larger "feature" fish, or I'm tempted to add 3 female mollies to my male. I wasn't going to separate the fry, so that should help keep things from getting overpopulated. The breeding thing seems like a cool experience for my 5 year old daughter. So far, all of my fish are doing really well in the bigger tank. They're alot more active and the color is brighter. I've got the temp set at 75.6, and the white clouds seem to be ok with it. I've read that may reduce their lifespan, but they seem pretty happy now. They were my original cycling fish when I first got my 10g a year ago. They're tough little fish. I'm holding my breath that the new cycling doesn't get too rough. I attached my old Aqueon Quietflow 10 to it do bring over some of the bacteria, but it didn't really fit on the new tank and I had to take it off as I was worried it was going to leak water everywhere.
Next steps are also to convert things over to a live planted aquarium. I used Eco Complete as my substrate, so it's primed and ready for plants. I just need to get a glass canopy and a better lighting system.
Next steps are also to convert things over to a live planted aquarium. I used Eco Complete as my substrate, so it's primed and ready for plants. I just need to get a glass canopy and a better lighting system.
Be very careful what your wish for in livebearers! Most of your fish can only eat newborn mollie fry, except for adult mollies. They can & likely will overpopulate your tank in not much time. I know it seems like a huge tank compared to a 10g but...have a plan for mollie survivors.
I still have my 10g if I need it. I've thought about having it at my office, but it really isn't big enough to house much more than a few fish once they get to full size. I've also spoken to my local fish store and they will take/buy any mollies I have. They've taken some mosquitofish and snails we had left over from a science experiment my wife ran for her students at school. Once I get the 55g tank to the population I want, I was going to donate them. The molly plan is still not a definite though. My wife isn't too keen on our fish reproducing and much prefers having more of a feature fish. My trouble with that is that I don't want to get a larger fish that is going to be trouble for my smaller ones. Someone told me a pearl gourami would be nice, but I've heard they can be bullies. I used to have a pair of dwarf gouramis who got along great with the others, but they died from dwarf gourami disease. They were an option as well... but I know their temperament can be iffy too and it really depends on the individual fish.
Pearl gouramis are very peaceful, but they won't eat many more mollie fry than your current fish, their mouths are quite small ...& they're gentle almost always, except in a very small tank.