20g Tank / filter system advice

xdaCostax

Hey guys

This filter does an amazing job on the 5.5g and cycles the tank about 18 times an hour (prob an overkill to you experts out there) where as in a 20g it would cycle the whole tank 5 times/hour.

Do I go with more power or will my current filter be good enough?

Thanks

leogtr

depends of how often you plan to clean your tank and everything if you put in a filter thats build for 45 to 50 gallon tanks youll be in good shape. they cycle the water around 200 GPH

chrisfraser05

It really depends what you are looking to keep.

For lightly stocked tank with slow moving fish/shrimp you'd be fine with the current filter.

Some larger bio load fish, brissle nose plecs etc you will need more bio capacity. Prefferably something like an external canister.

If you are going for a planted tank I the current filter will prob have enough bio capacity but you need more flow.
The current filter plus a powerhead for flow would be your best bet then.

You need to look at the type of tank you want to keep before deciding.

xdaCostax

Cool thanks for the info guys,

I`m thinking of keeping platys with maybe some angel fish in the future in this fresh water tank with plastic plants.

chrisfraser05

Flow isn't an issue then as the platys and angels won't need massive flow.

I'd say due to platys being a bit greedy (remind me of Goldfish in that respect) you'd need more bio filteration.

My recommendation is get a cheap(ish) canister filter as you have much more room for bio media with that than an internal or hob.

After getting my first canister I couldn't go back to another type on anything less than a 5-8g tank!

stevenjohn21

I have a 20 gallon long tank which holds mollies & platies, i use a marineland 350b which might be over kill to most but when i saw it on amazon for $35.00 with free shipping i couldnt resist. You could advertise your filter on craigslist and see if anyone would trade you for a bigger filter (maybe somebody wants to down size)

But i think if you change 5 gallons every 2-3 days and keep the filter you have, you should be ok.