Filtration = More Fish........and TOO MUCH FFiltering?

Question

Is it true that the more filtration you have in a tank, the more fish you can keep. I've always heard that it is possible to keep a couple of larger fish (for an example lets say 3 or 4 clown loaches) in a 55G tank as long as you have an excellent filtering system.

Also, another question I have is...Can a tank be over filtered??? I had someone ask me this the other day and I didn't know what to tell them. I've never really thought about it. I have 2 different HOB filters that are rated for 55-gallons and up, one Rena Filstar XP1 (250GPH), and I am going to add a powerhead to create the underwater current that I want (has a filter as well), all of these in my 55. I don't think you could over filter, but your prof. opinions would help!!!!!

Its ok to bash me if I am doing something wrong

Answer 1

The point at which you have too much filtration is when the currents are so strong as to be harmful to the fish.
The amount of filtration that you are planing is probably just fine,but will make it difficult to have any plants or slow swimming fishes.
Also consider that filters don't remove ANYTHING from the water,they only provide a convenient place for you to remove the "stuff".
It's like everybody in your family lives in one small room,and craps in a plastic box with a fan blowing over it. How often would you want that box to be emptied?
How would you feel about having too much food dumped into the room?
My point is that filtration is not a substitute for frequent water changes or frequent filter cleaning. The best time to do filter maintenance is while changing water,always clean the filter elements in water that has been siphoned from the tank on which they operate.(This is so you don't kill the beneficial bacteria that are present.)
It's also a good idea to pre-treat the replacement water so that doesn't weaken the bacteria colonies either.
There is one possible down side to heavy filtration,that is the production of excessive Nitrates, so that would be an item you should monitor closely.
I didn't mean to run on so much,but when I get started-------
Good luck.

Answer 2

Sort of. With smaller fish you can keep more because the more filtration increases the biological capacity, but only if you are willing to also do more water changes to make up for the faster nitrate production, and vacuum out the tank more because of the higher phyisical waste production. There are many reasons why its better to keep a tank understocked then overstocked.

When it comes to fish like Clown loaches though, it doesn't change the fact that they get to a foot long, and this is the reason they shouldn't be kept in anything but large tanks - this one is as much about physical space as filtering capacity. The smaller the fish you keep, the more space you give them to live and thrive, and there's nothing appealing about stuffing oversized fish into undersized tanks.

There is no such thing as over-filtration, but there is such thing as too much current - you don't want to be plastering the fish to the sides of the tank with filter current!

Answer 3

I have the brita pitcher because the faucet attachment seems clunky and bulky for my sink space. the brita filters make the water smell and taste clean, we have pretty hard water around here. as a sidenote, the Culligan pitcher filter refills fit the brita pitcher, both use charcoal filtration, and they cost a bit less to replace. they say to change the filters every 6 to 8 weeks but I go 5 or 6 because I use tons of water.

Answer 4

Can't have too much filtration. The More the merrier. Of course unless you are eccentric....lol, which I'm sure you're not and just line the talk with them, ( a joke).
Seriously, it sounds like you've got a good thing going on.