Is there such a thing as TOO MUCH filtration?

sueandherzoo

sueandherzoo

Active Member
I need to purchase a filter for my upcoming SH tank soon - it's a 46 gallon bowfront. I'm debating between the Fluval 70 gallon or the Fluval 100 gallon. Is there such a thing as TOO MUCH? I'm also going to put in live rock, not sure how much yet, and may even add a HOB - I want them to be able to eat and poop as much as they want.

Is there any downside to TOO much filtration?
Sue
 
novahobbies

novahobbies

Well-Known Member
Sure, you know, you have to ask this question AFTER I gave all my FAMA magazines to a friend! So I don't have the article to back this up:
You know my opinion. I do think thre is such a thing as too much filtration. I came to this conclusion after reading a couple articles about the subject a few months back....at least one of which was from the current editor of Freshwater & Marine Aquarium magazine. It's not a question of filtering out all the dissolved organics, or filtering out all impurities....but over-filtration also removes a lot of the GOOD things floatin' around in your tank! Here's what I mean:
Take water from near the sand of any established aquarium and put a drop under the microscope. What you'll find may surprise you! There's an abundance of critters that live in your tank that you never see, but they play a role in the balance of your tank. We've all talked about copepods before, but did you know that the young of many 'pod species have free-floating planktonic nauplii stages? These planktonic baby 'pods feed on microscopic green algae....and some absorb dissolved organic compounds!
Adding too many filtering devices can run the risk of filtering out these planktonic individuals. Young pods, the algae they feed on......if you remove all these by overfiltration, you may cause your 'pod population to crash. This may have a detrimental effect on your tank....remember the role pods play in a seahorse tank: as detrivores, and as a food source for the horses!
Anyway. There are articles and arguments pro and con for the case of overfiltration. Either way, I don't think a Fluval 7 would be considered overfiltration....and the 100 might not even be overfiltration, but it may be pushing it. Adding a separate HOB filter as well?? Yeah, that's overfiltering. A HOB skimmer/Fuge setup would be MUCH better than another filter. Remember, the 'Fuge acts as a filter as well, removing amm, nitrite, and nitrate!
So there's my opinion. I'm sorry, I never have just $0.02 worth of stuff to say.....I usually end up spilling $1.50 or more!
 
sueandherzoo

sueandherzoo

Active Member
LOL If your advice is available by the pound, I'd like to order 5 pounds please.
Actually I am planning on a HOB but I was going to modify it with other "stuff" besides the standard filter media. You were going to tell me what to put in it to create a fuge type of set up. Yes, I want a skimmer .... but that's separate from the HOB fuge, right? Your post makes it sound like there are combo skimmers/fuges. I'm so tired I am seeing cross-eyed..... I'll catch up with you tomorrow.
Thanks for being here. :)
Sue
 
teresaq

teresaq

Active Member
I think he is talking about either a cpr or aquafuge. They are nice for growing pods. They come in differant sizes and some have built in skimmers
 
keebler

keebler

Member
I don't like the hob refugiums, they put too much weight on one side of the tank. I've seen tanks break because of them. Just my 0.02
 
novahobbies

novahobbies

Well-Known Member
Teresa, that's exactly what I was talking about!

Keeb, there's a model that's only 14 inches wide...that is the one I was thinking of specifically for her. She can mount it in the middle of the tank stradlling the center brace since she's going with a canister (at least, I'm pretty sure she can!) and that should keep everything in place. Just to offer a counterpoint, a new tank equipped with a center brace should NOT have a problem with the added 25 lbs on the back! If it did, then I can think of a couple HOB filters that would be worrisome as well! My last HOB filter held a good 1.5 gallons, and the HOB skimmer held a good 2 gallons as well....there's an easy 30 lbs right there. Your point might be entirely valid with some of those extra-deep 24 inch models, but I don't think it will be an issue here.
 
keebler

keebler

Member
Originally Posted by novahobbies
http:///forum/post/2801320
Teresa, that's exactly what I was talking about!

Keeb, there's a model that's only 14 inches wide...that is the one I was thinking of specifically for her. She can mount it in the middle of the tank stradlling the center brace since she's going with a canister (at least, I'm pretty sure she can!) and that should keep everything in place. Just to offer a counterpoint, a new tank equipped with a center brace should NOT have a problem with the added 25 lbs on the back! If it did, then I can think of a couple HOB filters that would be worrisome as well! My last HOB filter held a good 1.5 gallons, and the HOB skimmer held a good 2 gallons as well....there's an easy 30 lbs right there. Your point might be entirely valid with some of those extra-deep 24 inch models, but I don't think it will be an issue here.
Yeah, I mean, I'm sure their great if you have the right size. I was just speaking out of other's experiences (and my ---). But when people think the bigger the better and put a huge one on the back of their tank, that's when there's a problem.
 
teresaq

teresaq

Active Member
I have the lrg cpr on my 55 gal and had no problems with weight or tank bowing. It was in the middle and pushed right against the wall.
T
 
sueandherzoo

sueandherzoo

Active Member
OK Rick (or anyone!) . . . if you have the make/model number of the 14" HOB set up and if it has a built-in skimmer, please provide so I can go order online. I'm off to go do some reading and searching myself but if you are online and have the info handy, I'd appreciate it. I trust your opinions and judgment and am ready to buy it based on that.
Thanks.
Sue
 
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