Is a filter with a greater filtering capacity than an aquarium needs,better than suggestested filter tanksize?

Question

EXAMPLE: A filter for up to 80 gal. on a 30 gal. tank. Will it keep nitrate level very low and allow for more fish in the tank? If so which filter is better a penguin or an emperor. Also, what about a protein skimmer and a powerhead, what is the best cheapest in the market for a 30 gal. What else would I need (for slatwater setup)?
::I have a 30 gal. tank, Stress Coat, Cycle, Quick dip testers, Hydrometer, salt mix, 10lbs of live rock, gravel, Aqua Safe, air pump.
The tank has been cycling for almost two weeks now with live rock and snails on an inferior filter, additives/water conditioners(Cycle, Stress Coat Etc.). I need to buy a better filter with Bio Wheel set up and a protein skimmer. If im missing anything let me know I could use the help.

Answer 1

My tank has been doing much better after I put a larger filter on mine. My levels have been much more controlled, and the water stays much clearer. I was using a 20 gallon filter on my 20 gallon tank, I switched to a 50 gallon filter and it seems to be doing wonders for my tank. My fish are all roughly 1" and they don't seem to have any problems swimming against the current. I can tell its definitely pulling more than the old filter, because any food that leaves the surface of the water goes for the filter pickup.

I asked a similar questions a while back right before I bought the filter, and was basically told you can't have to much filtration.

Answer 2

I own a 125 gallon salt water fish tank. I run 4 fluval 402 filters. These filters are rated for 400 gallons an hour. I run 2 at about the half way point and 2 at the bottom of the tank. My tank is crystal clear and have never had a problem. If your tank is being set up as salt water the rule of thumb with extra filtration and more fish doesn't apply. Salt water fish do not fair well with being over crowded so I wouldn't recommend it. Also you have to be careful when using canister filters on tanks because of the high volume of water exiting at one time. I took plastic ketchup bottles that you'd by from wal-mart and cut the tops off and put sponges inside that diffuse the water pressure from the hoses.

Answer 3

They generally have a range of sizes. For example, the AquaClear 70 is for tanks 30-70 gallons. The AquaClear 110 would be inappropriate because it is for tanks that range from 60-110 gallons.
The flow rate 300 gph vs 500 gph. That higher volume of water movement in the smaller tank may prove overwhelming to most fish, though some fish love to swim against the filter current. BioWheel is more marketing than anything else. Protien skimmers tend to be only for saltwater setups.
Have patience. A tank can't possibly cycle in 2 weeks.

Answer 4

a bigger filter will clean out the 30 gallon better than the 80 gal cause it's smaller