can you use several smaller pumps on a 210 litre tank?

Question

I have a 210 litre tank and no pump for it. Would it be okay to use 4 small 50 litre pumps instead of a big one?
Oh and is it essential to have and air stone?
Thanks

Answer 1

Air stones are not essential at all.

Not only is it ok to have several smaller filters, but in does ave some advantages. If one were to break, you would still have filtration until you could replace the broken one. Also, you can clean them on a rotating basis clean one each week and never significantly impact your cycle. Both of those are really good reasons to have several smaller filters instead of one large filter.

MM

Answer 2

Are you asking about air pumps or filters? For the size of your tank (55 gallons US), filters would be a much more efficient way of cleaning and oxygenating your tank.

I also keep several tanks with more than one filter. By putting them in different areas, you can direct the outflow to prevent debris from accumulating in "dead" areas behind driftwood and rocks, and have more intakes to remove any floating debris before it settles.

Just be careful not to overdo the current - your fish may want a calm spot to rest. The combined gallons per hour ratings of your filters should be 5-10 times the volume of your tank (that is, for a 55 gallon tank, the sum of the GPH ratings for your filters should be somewhere between 275 - 550 GPH), although it's not hurting your fish to go a little over.

And you don't need airstones. If you're asking about air pumps, all an airstone will do is make the bubbles smaller in size - this may make a different "sound" to the air coming out the end of the air tubing, but it also creates a slight resistance to air movement and will wear down your pump a little faster.

Answer 3

I agree totally with the first answer. I keep two filters on my 55 gallon - one, the canister, is supposed to be enough for the tank, but I use a power filter in addition to the canister, I guess mainly to have more filtration but also to help oxygenate the water.
Air stones help oxygenate, too, but a power filter or any surface access to air really negates need for a stone. I used a long strip-type stone a little while in my tank, just for looks, but it turned into a pain. My cichlids kept screwing up the way I'd hidden the tubing in the sand and the tank became unsightly.

Answer 4

no. It is not ok. The only time you should have several smaller pumps is when you have one large pump to clean out the rest of the waste that your smaller pumps cant reach. Also air stones are not needed, your filter will do all that but they are always helpfull when you use a medication that reduces oxygen in your tank

Answer 5

I keep 2 medium filters on my 200 litre tank & its a great setup.

airstones don't do much of anything but decoration. Don't beleive the hype on the packaging. Its a scare tactic to get you to buy it. The output of the filters will disturb the water enough to exchange co2 for o2.

Answer 6

The more, the better and the easier it will be for you and your pets.
You asked this question earlier???