I have 2 filters on my 15 gallon tank. An old 90GPH and a new120 GPH. I have them both running - is it too much current for my fish i have tetras and a betta. Also the new filter is loud is there any harm in switching the 120GPH filter off at night and just have the other running. Also could I alternate the 120 running in day and 90 at night?? I know alot of questions hehehe thanks for the help.
2007-05-05 02:00:59 · 5 answers · asked by ian s 3 in Pets ➔ Fish
The bacteria in your filter will start to die approximately two hours after the filter stops providing oxygenated water,in twenty-four hours they'll all be dead. It would take a month,but eventually they would all die. You Platys should do OK with the current,but life for the Betta is probably kind of miserable since they are quiet water fish.
2007-05-05 02:51:43 · answer #1 · answered by PeeTee 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should get rid of one or the other. This is a bit overkill. Too much filtration is never a bad thing but your setup is pretty excessive.
15 gallon tank filtering 90gph is turning the water 6 times per hour. Recommended is 2-3 times per hour. If you have them both running, that's 14 times per hour.
I would get rid of the 120 for now because it is more noisy. When you start having problems with the 90, you can get rid of it and start the 120 back up.
I wouldn't try switching them from day and night. This will upset your beneficial bacteria and could lead to toxins in your water like ammonia and nitrite. You don't want to risk having your filter dry out when it's shut off.
You should be fine just using the 90.
2007-05-05 09:51:15 · answer #2 · answered by Chris C 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have 3 tanks setup and have absolutly no noise coming from anyof them.First if you are using a filter hanging on the back of the tank you probably can get away with using an undergravel filter.You would just need the plastic grate that matches the size of your tank and the right size powerhead that attaches to the tube coming up from the bottom.I have an airhose coming from the powerhead that goes out the top of the tank to pull in air to the water.All i do is clean the gravel every two months and a water change. I have had the same fish for a long time.
2007-05-05 10:46:45 · answer #3 · answered by SweetEvil 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Kinda need to know what type of filter it is to really answer your question. BUT....on a 15 gal tank thats not overcrowded it sounds as though you have adequate filtration. I wouldn't worry to much about the current, unless it is pushing your fish up against the wall of your tank. I wouldn't recommend turning off your filter at night, either, FYI. it most likely wouldn't harm your colony of beneficial bacteria that has extablished itself on whatever type of filter you are using....but......it definately wouldn't help them.
2007-05-05 09:15:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bettas and longfinned tetras hate a lot of current. Bettas originally lived in puddles of water (zero current).
You should turn them down low, you dont need that mnay filters for such a small tank with such small fish.
2007-05-05 09:56:14 · answer #5 · answered by katie c 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋