Does too much filtration exist???

[dsmccain]

Question, is there such a thing called "too much filtration"? I got my 20 high, and have a penguin biowheel 150 for my filtration, claims to be chemical, mechanical, and biological(due to the biowheel), pushes 150 gph. I had this tank planned out for a while, and I originally wanted to put a mini canister filter, Rapids Mini Canister Filter, by Tom Aquatics, it pushes 80 gph. But along with that there is something called a Skilter Filter, which is a hang on back protein skimmer, probably not the best, but better than nothing. And would make up the extra gph for the canister.
Well the guy at the fish store didn't like my idea when I was buying my filtration, and suggested the Penguin, went with his advice. Mainly due to the fact it was already in the fish store, as opposed to having to order my original desired filtration online. He claimed that what I wanted was overkill. Anywho, my tank is cycling, and believe its not too late to change my options. Just looking for a little bit of advice, I cannot have the canister, skimmer AND my penguin, I would have to discontinue the penguin, maybe use it for QT. I don't want to overload the electricity. I can put the QT in a different part in the house.
Anywho, what does everyone think? Also, that canister filter is pretty new on the market, not much is known, I took pics to the "other" LFS, the good one, and they do not recognize it.

 

[dsmccain]

update, the skilter filter produces 250 gph, more than enough, general rule of thumb from what i read should be 5 times the volume, so for 20 high, simple math, we're looking at minimum 100 gph

 

[rebelprettyboy]

Theres no such a thing!

 

[dsmccain]

thats what i was thinking too, but gotta make sure.....
but more in depth, which direction would you go if you were in my shoes, just stick with the biowheel, or go the other direction with the skilter filter and canister
does anyone have any experience, or perhaps take a look at that canister, it can be found under drfostersmith website, im just on the fence with it, due the the fact it being so new
its a fish only tank, not too serious bioload, just a tank to spruce up the living room with small colorful fish, i do have a rio brand powerhead on there, it does a good job at circulating the water
just want the best for my fish!(within financial range ofcourse)

 

[oceana]

never mind i just read that it is a fish only tank. in that case no you cant filter to much

 

[dsmccain]

well, would you think the penguin biowheel 150 is fine? 150 gph, i got some good circulation in there, but sometimes i get worried that with all the circulation, the debris, missed fish food, etc. just passes right by the intake, but who knows, it may be paranoia or something....maybe it collects all when i am not looking, but the water is crystal clear, but i am still waiting for my algae bloom, so i am not too far in the cycle

 

[oceana]

Originally Posted by dsmccain
http:///forum/post/3067624
well, would you think the penguin biowheel 150 is fine? 150 gph, i got some good circulation in there, but sometimes i get worried that with all the circulation, the debris, missed fish food, etc. just passes right by the intake, but who knows, it may be paranoia or something....maybe it collects all when i am not looking, but the water is crystal clear, but i am still waiting for my algae bloom, so i am not too far in the cycle

the filter is fine. I am not a fan of a biowheel but since it if a fish only tank it should work out just fine. what are you using in the tank for flow???
the biowheel just poors the water into the tank from the top. what about your circulation?? old food, poop, and whatever else will build up on the bottom of the tank without something to keep it from collecting in the corners. You want it to stay in the water so it can be picked up by the filters.. to do this you will want to incorporate one or two power heads into your plan. somthing like a Koralia 1 or 2 should work nicley and dont cost to much. the goal is to not have any dead spots in your tank. a dead spot is a spot void of flow or low in flow that allows waste to accumulate.

 

[dsmccain]

i have a rio brand power head, it does good at circulating the water, the LFS said it might be overkill, just by a little, but there were extensions you can put on it to modify it, i have it up in my right hand corner, pointing a little up to break the water current for oxygen, but over all i do believe it does a good job