Flitration questions

[scaifey]

So im running a 306 and a c4 on my 55g its well populated community tank with tetras rasboras corys and 3 dwarf rainbows and 2 regular like 32 fish in total. Do I need to run them both full tilt to get the most out of them or can i put them on low and still have the benefits of all the media? I am so confused on what im reading like people are saying they use a 306 full flow on a 30g that seems crazy to me because my 306 flow at full seems like a ton to me.

[gabor129]

So here is my take on the filtration for tanks. If you are interested in mechanical filtration, removing all the particulates from the water, the faster flow is better. However, in my opinion, if you rely on the bacteria to brake down waste a bit slower flow is better. In either case a 306 would be more than enough for a 55gal. tank. Weekly water changes to remove excess nutrients, and monthly filter maintenance should be just fine. Could mod the filter with different ppi sponges stacked instead of media bags, but other than that it is fine....

[scaifey]

That what i figuered slower allows the bacteria to do its job better kinda like a uv light it runs at a slower rate to work better. I took out my carbon in my 306 and replaced it with filter floss to help polishing the water. Then I had a amonia spike then thought it was a crash then added the c4 that came with my tank and all that is running is foam pads and allot of bioballs and im using a ammonia remover thing for chemical filtration on low flow. I did alittle searching yesterday in the tank moving around my plants and found a corpse explains the spike now. I hate losing fish like we all do. So I got out the phyton and did a 15% water change and im doing a 10% today to curb the existing ammonia. I go in crazy mode when my tank does something I dont like hense added another filter. Almost added sponge filter to but talked myself outta it

[Xander]

I sort of think it's a six-of-one, half-a-dozen-of-the-other situation as far as the flow rates of the filters go.

It certainly feels logical to say that water spending longer periods of time inside your filter will have a better chance of being scrubbed by your bacteria - however, in the opposite case, when you're running at full volume the water is being pushed through your filter more times per hour, also giving it more opportunities to be scrubbed by your bacteria.

I couldn't really claim that there's a qualitative difference in either case. I 100% base my flow control on whether or not the fish are struggling to swim around.

[jred]

I agree with Gabe - if you want the water to be pristine increase the flow to help stir around particulates and the media should remove it from the water column. Otherwise you don't need a ton of flow, I would almost recommend removing the C4 and adding a sponge filter instead - I know its an "eye sore" for people but they don't require priming so if the power goes off you have bacteria in your tank and when it comes back on the filter starts right up when the airpump kicks on. THEN you can buy another aquarium and use the C4 on that... cause who doesn't want more aquariums

[scaifey]

The c4 keeps its prime pretty well if I dont dont a water change. But the damn thing clogs up so fast compared to aqua clear. I like sponge filters allot and my shrimp in my 20g love it to but in my 55g it would not go with the look im going for. But I do see a 20g long in my future and I am going to attempt to breed rummy nose tetras. But I thank you guys for the input i like to see advice to people that are in the hobby cause the internet info is overwhelming at times. But i just went through ick in my main tank(55g) and my bettas 10g (billium) my first fish and my favorite fish. So the last week has been a tough one but I over came it. I was a moron and didnt quarantine the 8 neon tetras to treat them befor I added them lost 2 cory cats and 3 neons but coulda been a way worse situation. I Learned my lesson. So now I leave my quarentine tank on all the time with weekly water changes now just incase i have a issue or I want new fish. After i cleaned it all after treating. Sorry for the drawn out convo. The c4 keeps it prime better than most hob filters I have used but clogs up so fast was my point lol.