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80 gallon filter for a 30 gallon tank

14K views 18 replies 13 participants last post by  tophat665 
#1 ·
we have a filter that was given to us that supports a 30-80 gallon tank. We currently have a whisper that is for up to 30 gallons in our 30 gallon tank. Would it be a really good thing to use this larger dual like filter?




TIA,

Julie
 
#2 ·
Hi Julie...Thats sort of puzzling me right now. I guess its never to bad to put some good filtration in the tank but its bad to OVER filter the tank. If the filter says 30 to 80 gallons im sure its suitable. :D
 
#5 ·
Not really bad to overfiltrate, but there maybe too much current, depending on the fish. If you have a gravel susbtrate, you should have enough nitrifying bacteria to support the tank if you run the new filter. Otherwise, run both filters at the same time for about a month. If you think the fish are struggling with both filters running, just reduce the flow on one or both filters.
 
#8 ·
Eddie has the right idea here... it's more a matter of current than size of the filter. It is also a matter of waste levels in the tank. Does the tank have a heavy nutrient level that it needs more filtration? There is no such thing as "over filtering" but there is such a thing as "over cleaning". These are 2 entirely different situations. If the fish aren't struggling to swim through the flow of water with the new filter, I would say it is safe to use, if needed.
 
#9 ·
hello, it is not a bad thing to over filter. the filter and substrate hold your good biological bacteria. So the water in your filter constantly flows over and helps to keep a good enviroment for your tank. over all it is good. Im not saying put a 100 on a 10 put in common sense a little extra is greaaaattt!!!
 
#10 ·
Never too mcuh filtration but as said by others, your fish will determine what you should run and how fast. If it is adjustable then I would use it. I plan to buy one size larger filter for any tank I set up from now on.

Now remember something about this, your filter could easily replace all of the beneficial bacteria in your tank even in the gravel. The bacteria can only survive if they have a source to feed on, massive overfiltering can remove the food source, nitrites and ammonia from the water column and could cause a problem if the filter ever fails. It can happen and I know people who had it happen. This only happens in new or in extremely clean tanks with no gravel or very clean gravel. Gravel vacs are fine when you do a water change but the puropse is to remove excess mulm and waste, not all of it. Is rare but worth mentioning, IMHO. As long as vacuuming is done weekly and not daily, it should never be a problem.
 
#11 ·
If you use mechanical and bioligical media, then there is no issues with not having enough ammonia and nitrItes for the nitrifying bacteria to consume. Also, keep in mind, bacteria will only colonize to equal the amount of the bioload. For example, if you have a 100 gallon tank with a 100 gallon rated filter, but only have 1 angelfish, the bacteria available will only be enough to support that 1 angelfish, not a full 100 gallon tank full of fish.
 
#13 ·
you can attach strips of plastic bottles to the return slot to deflect and disperse the flow. I have had it on my HOT whisper filter rated for 20-30 gallons on a 5 and a 10 gallon with the plastic strip mod and the fish don't seem bothered :D

I would say it is never bad to overfilter :D
 
#14 ·
jinithith2 said:
you can attach strips of plastic bottles to the return slot to deflect and disperse the flow. I have had it on my HOT whisper filter rated for 20-30 gallons on a 5 and a 10 gallon with the plastic strip mod and the fish don't seem bothered :D

I would say it is never bad to overfilter :D
Have you got a pic of that filter mod? I'm pondering how to current kill an HOB.
 
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