filter question

[lightning]

i am about to purchase canistar filters for my 55 gal cichlid tank, currently i have a aqualclear 500 and a emperor 400, is it better to put say 2 fluval 204 or just go with 1 fluval 404, my thoughts are i can get better circulation with multiple suction and discharge of the 2 filters, plus if one malfunctions or something the other would still be providing some filtration,

 

[Purple]

I run a mixed cichlid 55 with a single 404. I used to have a 204 in there, with a power head to boost the flow through the pre-filter unit.
I found the 204 on its own to be underpowered, the 404 is excellent for a heavily loaded 55.

My point is that you'll probably get better performance from one large filter, rather than using two smaller ones that would clog up more quickly. Having two filters is good if one is likely to malfunction, but the two smaller ones are more likely to clog, so they won't be as effecient in the long run. If you're purchasing from new, then fluval have a pretty reliable reputation, and with 8 compartments in the 404, you can easily stagger the media cleaning.

If you're worried about filters packing up on you - then hang onto your 500/400 as back up units.

 

[TaffyFish]

I would agree with Purple - go for a single canister. Personally I would spend the extra and go for Eheim - the Pro II's are fantastic kit which you'll never regret purchasing.

You then have a flow regulator and outlet options like spraybars, diffusors etc. to control current/circulation. The diffusor could mean that you can dump a noisy airpump and airstone - go for a thermo version and you could lose your heater from the tank too!

 

[HanshaSuro]

This perhaps should be moved to the equipment forum?

 

[Somonas]

Unfortunately I have to disagree- I am a firm believer in backup and redundancy. Another reason if you have to setup a second tank in a pinch you always have a cycled filter ready to go.
Filters clogging up and malfunctioning should be a non-issue. If you maintain and clean your filters on a regular basis this should never happen. and should not be an excuse to only buy one large filter.

 

[TaffyFish]

Your point about filter maintenance is well made Somonas but I wouldn't agree with that argument for 2 filters instead of 1. Purple's point is that double the filters is double the maintenance, might be more in fact.

Surely it's the media that needs to be cycled not the filter itself?
I'm not familiar with the Aquaclear 500 nor the Emperor 400, but aren't they both HOB's, so wouldn't they take cycled media from a canister? I think it would be better to have the correct amount of filtering at all times in the 55 and to rely on one or other of the HOB's for back up.

 

[catfishmike]

no hardly,more filter means more mantaince but hob's are so easy to clean it's hardly an issue.you can put filter media from anything into anything.i don't use stanard filter media and as such i don't have that problem.plus if you always run both filters,there will always be a bit of bacteria to pick up for the failure of the other.pus canisters can be easy to forget and it's hard to tell when they are backed up,no overflow back into the tank.i like somonas am a firm believer in redundancy and back-up

 

[lightning]

also i was thinking with 2 filters i could change out ones media and completely clean it while the other one keep up with the bio load, i could alternate new media between the two if them every month, and not have such an impact on that

 

[boba]

I like the two filter idea.

bob

 

[TaffyFish]

I believe the 2 filter idea is a good one for internals using sponge media, I run 2 Eheim Aquaballs on a 35g but 2 external canisters instead of a single canister? The reasons being given are not sound - it's just as easy to change half the media in a large canister as change all the media in one half the size.

 

[Purple]

I find that with a can, it's normally only the foam screen that needs rinsing out every month or so. I usually leave the hoops and other media alone, so there's no danger regarding cycling etc.

The only potential advantage of running with two, would be if one contained carbon and one didn't, then in the event of meds being used, you could simply shut off the carboned filter for the duration of the treatment.

Whenever I've had to set up a tank in a real hurry, I've taken water, substrate, and filter media from a running set up - gets you half way there in one smooth move.

If you particularily enjoy cleaning filters, then go for two - if you want some serious flow in your tank, go for one - everyone has different needs and ways of doing things.

 

[catfishmike]

now how does one equal more flow than two?i don't enjoy cleaning filters at all that why i run three on my 84 gallon tank.more filters means less cleaning.if i just ran my canister i would have to clean it twice as often.but because i also run a magnum 250 and an emperor 400 i just alternate cleanings and check the canister every other month or so(no need btw)it's not like it's any more work than a water change,which i was going to do anyways.plus my mechanical fiter media never does double duty as bio so cleaning is even less of an issue.i see it more as a way of removing particles in the water more effecently.why keep all that crud in the system longer when it can be removed on a weekly or bi-weekly basis without minimum hassle.

 

[Purple]

Mike - for "serious flow" - read "water disturbance". Same way a spray bar allows a given overall flow rate to disperse, one large can will produce a stronger concentrated current than two smaller ones. Depends on your needs like I said.

 

[Somonas]

Situation.
Canister filter, and HOB on one tank.
Power failure.
All of your biological in your canister will go anerobic, soon to be dead.
The HOB media is easily accessible and you can keep pouring tank water over it in the filter.

 

[TaffyFish]

Situation.
Purple's tank has 1 large canister, Somonas' tank has 2 small canisters.
Power failure.
Difference in outcome is......?

 

[Purple]

Well - I was also considering the cans usefullness as a holding tank in the event of a meteor strike - but hey - I guess everyone has their own way of doing things

Anyway lightning - I hope we've answered your question - lol

 

[Somonas]

I would never have 2 small canisters on one tank for the very situation you described