I have a 20 gallon tank, and have one Bio-wheel filter running.
I also have another Whisper filter sitting in a box.... is it a bad idea to hook it up and have 2 different filters running ?
2007-04-09 06:27:03 · 9 answers · asked by Russ P 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
As was mentioned, two DIFFERENT filters really doesn't pose any harm however YES you can over filter the water depending on the filters.
Over filtering the water can cause your water to go into a bacterial bloom on a constant level. Having 20 gallon tank, you still do not want to filter more than 100 gallons per hour. Once your filters start pulling 120+ gallons per hour you could see a big change with the water quality.
Up until filtering 5 times your tank volume you are fine, more than that can and sometimes does cause bacterial bloom in the tank.
2007-04-09 09:18:42 · answer #1 · answered by danielle Z 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
no you need to have 15 filters in a 20 gallon tank!!!!!just kidding no it is not a bad idea to hook up 2 filters but keep in mind how fast and how much water you are cycling in an hour
2007-04-09 10:56:10 · answer #2 · answered by Hadeel 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A bio wheel and a whisper are two different kind of filters, and have their own individual characteristics in filtration.
Moreover its NEVER BAD to use extra filters for your tank even if the tank is of low capacity. You are doing a fine job trying to keep the water clean which is very appreciable.
Just take care that your filters does not over agitates the tank water, and all else is good.
2007-04-09 06:45:14 · answer #3 · answered by Mantra 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Opinions vary but as a rule you can't over filter a tank. Also having two filters running will give you a back up in case on breaks and you won't have a ammonia problem to develop while you replace the broken filter. It would also be a filter already seeded and cycled if you decide in the future to set up a new tank or if you needed it for a hospital / quarantine tank. Personally, I have never seen a problem with having two filters on a tank.
MM
2007-04-09 06:36:40 · answer #4 · answered by magicman116 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Overfiltration is never a bad idea unless the fish in the aquarium are sensitive to flow (ie angelfish and bettas). If the Biowheel is only rated for a 20 gal and the whisper is rated for a 20 gal you will be fine. I have had tanks with nonsensitive fish that had multipal filters so that my filtration on the tank was 3 times the tank size. It helps when breeding and you are limited to how much syphoning you are able to do with fry present. Good luck and you should have no problem.
2007-04-09 06:33:35 · answer #5 · answered by lilith 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Filteration is not really a bad thing to do but try not to over filterate
2007-04-09 10:43:57 · answer #6 · answered by NIHARIKA M 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
it wont hurt anything except your wallet, with a 20 gallon tank you dont NEED two filters so by putting two filters in there your going to have twice as much filter media to have to buy, not that filter media is very expensive but why do it if it doesnt need it? i would just hang on to the other filter in case you decide to get a second tank going or if your currant filter breaks down.
2007-04-09 06:36:15 · answer #7 · answered by Duane 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋
no its not bad its better
however with two filters and overfiltering it will take more time for the benifical bacteria to build up and colonize the filter media
also you might want to consider enegry cost increase and matience upkeep with filter media replacement cost
2007-04-09 06:49:06 · answer #8 · answered by Adam T 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
not at all! if one gets broken, you still have another one to keep running! when you replace the cartridge in one, same thing! you still have one running so you dont have to panic! hope this helps! :-)
Lilyoung
2007-04-09 10:40:48 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋