95 Gallon filter for 55 gallon tank?

it4lian · 03-22-2008, 05:25 AM

Well I'm thinking of setting up a 55 gallon in a few months, but it would be a bit overstocked, would a 95 gallon filter make up for some of it? It would be a canister filter aswell, a Rena XP2 I think. Planning on doing Lake Tang cichlids, mainly cyprinchromis and sand dwellers.

welchrock · 03-22-2008, 02:11 PM

For a few tanks I've had, I've always purchased larger filters with decent results. ie a 40G filter for a 20G tank, 100G filter for my current 46G tank.

I see no harm in going with your idea, but don't think that it'll allow you to have double the fish - I feel that the filter manufacturers are very likely to overstate the power of their units.

Buying an overly-capable filter can't hurt (unless your fish are blown out of the tank) but it will not have a dramatic effect on the cleanliness of your tank or the stocking maximum.

it4lian · 03-22-2008, 02:15 PM

Yeh I don't plan on majorly over stocking it, just about 4 more fish than should go in there. I still got a few months to think about it though before I have the room to put it in my house (stupid pool table).

jones57742 · 03-22-2008, 04:23 PM

it4lian:

I have limited experience with cannister and HOB filters.

IMHO, the actual flow of a cannister filter is approximately 50% to 75% of the published flow.

TR

COM · 04-03-2008, 12:40 PM

It's all about the rate of filtration, not the manufacturer's stated "size" for a filter. Take the gallons per hour (gph) and divided by the thank capacity. For example, I have 150 gph and 20 gallons. This makes 7.5 filtration cycles or "turns" per hour. I would recommend at least 4 to 5 turns per hour.

I agree with welchrock - you probably want to measure the actual flow rate of the filter and not just stick with the manufacturer's statement.

FishHead · 04-04-2008, 06:08 AM

i think having over filtration is fine. I am running 2 magnum HOTS and a topfin 60 on my 55. There is alot of water current, which my fish really enjoy. I have carbon in one of the magnums, and a large cleaner wheel in the other. my GF has a rena on her 55 and it is great. She has the XP2 and her tank is crystal clear.

welchrock · 04-04-2008, 06:35 AM

MY GOODNESS your tank must be pristine! Did you identify a need for this much filtration or is it just preference?

FishHead · 04-04-2008, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by welchrock

MY GOODNESS your tank must be pristine! Did you identify a need for this much filtration or is it just preference?

just preference. my goldfish have alot more filtration as well, but they are messier fish. they are poop demons

**JustOneMore20** · 04-04-2008, 09:52 AM

I would put an XP3 on a 55g and not an XP2. The extra filtration is worth it. If you go with an XP2, you should get a HOB to go along with it for more filtration.

emc7 · 04-04-2008, 10:00 AM

2 filters is always a good idea.

03-22-2008, 05:25 AM	#1
it4lian Soccer God =P Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Dallas, Texas Age: 16 Posts: 106	95 Gallon filter for 55 gallon tank? Well I'm thinking of setting up a 55 gallon in a few months, but it would be a bit overstocked, would a 95 gallon filter make up for some of it? It would be a canister filter aswell, a Rena XP2 I think. Planning on doing Lake Tang cichlids, mainly cyprinchromis and sand dwellers. __________________ 12 Gallon Fake Plants 1 Male CT Betta 6 Zebra Danios

03-22-2008, 02:11 PM	#2
welchrock Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Age: 27 Posts: 125	For a few tanks I've had, I've always purchased larger filters with decent results. ie a 40G filter for a 20G tank, 100G filter for my current 46G tank. I see no harm in going with your idea, but don't think that it'll allow you to have double the fish - I feel that the filter manufacturers are very likely to overstate the power of their units. Buying an overly-capable filter can't hurt (unless your fish are blown out of the tank) but it will not have a dramatic effect on the cleanliness of your tank or the stocking maximum. __________________ 46G Bowfront: 1 large snakeskin gourami, 1 blue gourami, 2 pearl gouramis, 12 black neon tetras, 4 panda corys, 1 albino pleco. All gourami's are female as far as I know. Lighting: 78 Watts (1.7 wpg) T5HO Plants: Java Moss, Flame Moss, Marsilea Minutia, Marsilea Quadrifolia, Staurogyne sp., floating Myrio Simulan. Substrate: 80 lbs Eco-Complete.

03-22-2008, 02:15 PM	#3
it4lian Soccer God =P Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Dallas, Texas Age: 16 Posts: 106	Yeh I don't plan on majorly over stocking it, just about 4 more fish than should go in there. I still got a few months to think about it though before I have the room to put it in my house (stupid pool table). __________________ 12 Gallon Fake Plants 1 Male CT Betta 6 Zebra Danios

03-22-2008, 04:23 PM	#4
jones57742 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Age: 56 Posts: 616	it4lian: I have limited experience with cannister and HOB filters. IMHO, the actual flow of a cannister filter is approximately 50% to 75% of the published flow. TR __________________ Hook Em Horns ... Keep Austin Weird

04-04-2008, 06:08 AM	#6
FishHead What are you looking at? Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: NJ Age: 28 Posts: 593	i think having over filtration is fine. I am running 2 magnum HOTS and a topfin 60 on my 55. There is alot of water current, which my fish really enjoy. I have carbon in one of the magnums, and a large cleaner wheel in the other. my GF has a rena on her 55 and it is great. She has the XP2 and her tank is crystal clear. __________________ 13 barbs (4x tigers, 2x greens, 3 odessas, 4 albino) 5 australian rainbowfish 4 buenos aires tetras 1 angelic pim catfish 1 pictus catfish 1 Spotted Hifin pleco 2 opaline gouramis 2 blue gouramis 5 panda cories 1 red tail shark 9 cherry barbs 2 Lionhead goldfish 1 black moor (saved from walmart) 7 peppered cories 3 swordtails 1 bristlenose pleco

Members currently in the Chat:4
	Users In Chat Room: Blue_Cray, wm_crash, COM, hsd Come On In!

04-03-2008, 12:40 PM	#5
COM Rebel Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 697	It's all about the rate of filtration, not the manufacturer's stated "size" for a filter. Take the gallons per hour (gph) and divided by the thank capacity. For example, I have 150 gph and 20 gallons. This makes 7.5 filtration cycles or "turns" per hour. I would recommend at least 4 to 5 turns per hour. I agree with welchrock - you probably want to measure the actual flow rate of the filter and not just stick with the manufacturer's statement.

04-04-2008, 06:35 AM	#7
welchrock Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Age: 27 Posts: 125	MY GOODNESS your tank must be pristine! Did you identify a need for this much filtration or is it just preference? __________________ 46G Bowfront: 1 large snakeskin gourami, 1 blue gourami, 2 pearl gouramis, 12 black neon tetras, 4 panda corys, 1 albino pleco. All gourami's are female as far as I know. Lighting: 78 Watts (1.7 wpg) T5HO Plants: Java Moss, Flame Moss, Marsilea Minutia, Marsilea Quadrifolia, Staurogyne sp., floating Myrio Simulan. Substrate: 80 lbs Eco-Complete.

04-04-2008, 09:52 AM	#9
JustOneMore20 Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL Age: 22 Posts: 3,582	I would put an XP3 on a 55g and not an XP2. The extra filtration is worth it. If you go with an XP2, you should get a HOB to go along with it for more filtration. __________________ *Kristin* 5 Planted tanks: 55g, 40g, 29g, 20g, 5.5g

04-04-2008, 10:00 AM	#10
emc7 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Johns Creek, GA Posts: 3,296	2 filters is always a good idea.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Important Basics For Sw Newbies.	hail_sniper	Beginner Saltwater	18	03-21-2008 07:57 AM
Well, I started off with one tank......	fishgal_ca	Cichlids	19	02-18-2008 10:43 AM
Article: Setting Up a Saltwater Tank	Fishfirst	Profile & Article Discussions	10	08-15-2006 04:49 AM
Need help on setting up 65 gallon tank.	gerbil1189	Beginner Freshwater	11	11-27-2005 10:07 AM
New 46 Gallon Tank - Choosing the fish!	Rilmas	Beginner Freshwater	24	04-09-2005 08:01 PM