How Much Aquarium Filter Flow Do You Need? Myths Exposed!
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- Опубліковано 4 лип 2024
- Hello Everyone,
In this video we talk about how much filter flow you need in your fish tank.
If you would like to learn more about fish tank filtration take a look at these videos!
How Much Filtration Do You Really Need: • Fish Tank Filtration: ...
Can You Over-Filter a Fish Tank: • Can You Over-Filter a ...
All You Need to Know About The Nitrogen Cycle: • The Nitrogen Cycle - F...
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If you would like to learn more about fish tank filtration take a look at these videos!
How Much Filtration Do You Really Need: ua-cam.com/video/aZZoxO6rUOI/v-deo.html
Can You Over-Filter a Fish Tank: ua-cam.com/video/M5HSeH4R_x8/v-deo.html
All You Need to Know About The Nitrogen Cycle: ua-cam.com/video/dFpN4wXgmfI/v-deo.html
Our new shirts can be found at: www.primetimeaquatics.com/merch
Join this channel to get access to perks:
ua-cam.com/channels/YVN7EN0ALL6CE4U7NpMUTA.htmljoin
For the latest in the fish room check us out on Instagram primetime_aquatics
If you want to see all the cool stuff Joanna does with other types of scapes check out her channel!
ua-cam.com/channels/PEZk1MpOTGiBVh6BtWjlRg.html
Thank you so much for your outstanding and spectacular content!
I'm glad mentioned water flow. A lot of people seem to think that more is better with filtration, and don't consider the stress associated with excess current (and perhaps to a lesser extent noise and vibration).
I agree 100% here. I also pay zero attention as to how much flow or how much contact with bio media the water has. When it comes to flow the criteria I use are the fish and plants in my tank. Always stock accordingly, stock fish that require the same conditions, then the plants. I will set the flow that is best for the fish and the plants. I always use a sump, I absolutely prefer them over any other filtration system. I never set flow for filtration, I always set the flow for my livestock. The flow through the filtration will be what it is and I have never had a failed system. My ammonia and Nitrite are always zero and because I have planted tanks I keep Nitrates at around 20ppm. I pay no attention to that "you need 10x turnover" BS because I found it to be plain false, and I have been in this hobby for decades. Set your filtration media up appropriately and set your flow for your fish and plants. I agree 100% with this video, thumbs up.
Thank you so much for this talk about filtration today! The more I watch your channel, the more I learn.
Love your style and narration. Thank you for not having background music and not uptalking.
Perfect timing! I've just been wondering about that. Thanks for your videos I learn so much!
Alot of learning can be done from your channel! Quality content! Making me a better fish keeper one video at a time👍
I'd like to chime in on this nice video! Back in the 60's most of my LFS's recommended a slow flow for bacterial filtration and about 4 gallons per hour for mechanical. The bacteria needs a little time to process the ammonia and nitrites. 4 gph is not to fast or to slow for water current so most all fish will be fine.
Back in the 60's - 80's I was breeding fancy guppies and angelfish. My bare grow out tanks were over stocked by normal standards. All I had in the box filters was some gravel for weight and poly-fill with the slowish air pressure. Never had any problems with the nitrogen cycle. I had a few bigger display tanks running slow UGF's and HOB's and never had any issues.
Now that I'm back to breeding I'm using sponge filters with a linear piston pump. Way more air pressure and faster flow. I'm constantly battling quick rising ammonia levels. Thank god my ph is 6.8 so the ammonia is ammonium and it doesn't effect the fish as easily. I'm planning on installing a bleed off valve to lower the pressure and slow the air down.
No scientific research just observation from my experience.
Great take on an often talked about topic. Glad to be able to rely on you for common sense and experience. Thanks Jason!
Thank you!
# 1 IMO = service area and so then so on cheers! you guys are the best
Very interesting, I often wondered about the importance of flow rate. Thanks Jason👍
Excellent, really like these educational video’s that give you something to think about 🤔
I am liking your view on this, I would even go to the fact that fish live in all types of water fast, slow even still ponds. If they live in these different water speeds BB has to be present or fish wouldn’t live there!
I’ve kept neo shrimp,snails and nano fish with the sponge filters completely unplugged and had pristine water conditions and clear water. Granted, we are talking a balanced tank and basically average stock. You can see the same thing with LRB and his natural unfiltered tanks. I don’t recommend that approach to a beginner, and you definitely did great saying that it’s all down to the flow rate that your fish is naturally comfortable with.
I actually pointed this out on another video I seen and they called me out on it. lol Thanks for making me feel better!
Good stuff as always....Hoorah!!
Wow…The perfect video at the perfect timing for me…! I was thinking of upgrading to a more powerful return pump for my 300 gallon with a 60g sump which was already doing 4times per hour and i have a 18000L/hr doublehead wavemaker too..Because of so much opinions of people saying that you need about 10times! turnover per hour if they are cichlids and stuff i could not resist myself from upgrading my return pump which was actually not needed thanks to you👍🏻
Thankz for the great video man🤩…Keep posting useful stuff as always👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
You have to keep in mind the Cichlid Philosophy of "Overstocking" to keep "aggression" limited. This Nonsense creates a HIGH Bio Load and then the Answer (to the Original Mistake) becomes MORE Filtration.
Very interesting Professor Jason. 🤔 I learned something new today. 🙂
Great video thanks ❤
Hi,Jason. Nice video
Subscribed yesterday,but have been watching a for a while as MarlonN. I would like to recommend the Ark Pet shop in Merrellville IN. Really cool
Great video! Can you do a video on water temperature, wondering if it impact the fish? Like on BB and oxygen and tips and tricks on how to cool the tank. I am from Asia and my tank is always at 28-31 degree c. How do we tackle this if we dont have the budget for chillers, they are very expensive
Let the fish pick! My Gouramis always liked stagnant water while my Hillstream Loaches relax on a rock directly in front of the flow of a 5000 psi power washer.
I have a 55 gallon tank. I have a old topfin filter on it. It is the last generation filter from top fin so it’s completely different from the current gen ones. It has the impeller inside the tank which is nice. But it’s super glued because I broke off a plastic piece off we’re it connects the pump assembly to the filter basket when I was cleaning the impeller on it. So it’s super glued but still works. Also it’s made in America 🇺🇸 so I it must have a longer lifespan. If it breaks tho I have 2 top fin tf20s which put out 100 gph each to put on because that’s what I have on hand. Will it be fine for my yellow labs? Both filters combined circulate that water 3 and 1/2 times per hour. So I think it will be ok
If you're concerned about the flow, point your outlet towards the back of the aquarium glass panel. I use a spray bar on a canister filter that's fairly powerful. Dare I say; a bit more than I need but by aiming the holes backwards - towards the back glass panel the spray bar is suction cuped to, it allows me to open the flow of water all the way thus Allowing me to get the he filter's fullest potential.
If I wanted only 1/2 or 3/4 flow from the filter, I would have purchased a filter with less flow.
If one decides to keep young/juv. freshwater angels, start with a underpowered HOB that when operating at its fullest capability is just enough to agitate the water's surface. For example; you purchase a 30-40 gallon aquarium and you are looking for a good quality HOB filter but nothing too expensive and yet well built... inwhich your case would be an AquaClear 30.
After your fish have grown bigger or to their fullest potential, then consider a canister. You'll kinda want to keep attention to the growing rate of your fish in order to decide when it's time to go bigger as this is to make sure you don't impose stress on your aquarium's inhabitants.
Awesome video
Good Morning.
It seems to me that diffusion makes the "contact time" vs throughput debate pretty much irrelevant, in most cases. Our fish aren't suddenly making piles of ammonia on one side of the tank while the bacteria sit on the other side wondering where all the food is - and ions aren't towels your bacterial colonies are struggling to grasp as they fly by in your canister filter, like another youtuber's recent analogy. 😉
Great subject. Overlooked is testing your filter flow. A 200 GPH filter...doesn't really flow 200 GPH. Add in tubing, connectors and media and you'll be lucky to get half the rated GPH. Only way to be sure is measure with a stopwatch and a bucket or a measuring cup or similar.
This no one consider, all these resistances to the flow.
It's my experience that fish that want low flow, like bettas, can't handle high flow, but fish that appreciate high flow will be absolutely fine in a low flow tank. They will tend to hang out in the areas that do have a little, like filter intakes, but I haven't seen it stress them or shorten their lifespan.
This was so interesting for me. I have tanks with no heaters or filters, just deep deep substrate sand beds. Been running going on 3 years, clear water, happy fish, and they only get about a 5% water change every 2 weeks when I have to top them off from evaporation, and they wouldn't even get the 5% water change if I wasn't using their water to water my plants before I topped them all up again.
Then I have tanks with air stones only or a very small mini sponge filter in a 20 L just to break the tension on the surface, add a little more O2, and as another surface
for bacteria and moss to grow on.
Then I have tanks that have hob filters and airstones for tiny FAST danios, WC mountain minnows and hillstream loaches.
I just wanted to make sure they had a decent current down one side of the tank. They all hang out on both sides but mainly they like to play on the heavy flow side.
I've done so much experimenting the last couple of years. HAD to try Father Fish and Lucas Bretz methods to see if I could pull off no heater, no filter tanks, and keep them from crashing. Apparently, I can.
I'm just so excited to be trying new things, like growing houseplants in the tank water.
I like your reasonable, logical approach, and you saying you have filters running at all speeds or even just an airstone. Depending on the fish or shrimp's needs for what you're keeping.
And I love experimenting, going outside the box and seeing for myself what works in which tanks with my water and what I'm keeping.
I'vd learned so much from so many fish people on UA-cam, Joanna and her nano scapes and tips and tricks has been an amazing learning experience.
Great video. Have a great week ya'll.
👍❤👍
That’s so cool - all the variety you have!
Hello. Love the channel. After having a stroke Ive really come to enjoy the peace and relaxation of having fish. I have a 40 gallon live plant tank with one air bubbler. I've decided to add an additional one to the other side of the tank. My thought was just giving the fish some enjoyment but I'm a little worried now that it might be to much. Is it possible to have to much oxygen? I'd really hate to hurt my fish. Thank you very mich
Great question - oxygen won't be an issue. As long as the water movement isn't overwhelming the fish you should be ok.
Thanks for the Video. I love your content SO MUCH. Would you maybe consider a video on the importance of oxygen in a tank. I question how I am able to know If I have adequate Oxygen in the water for my fish.
It's on the list!
Sponge filters kill 2 birds with one stone. Cleaning an oxygen all in one.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics Thank you. I'm sorry I missed that.
Great topic 😁💛🤟
Thank you!
Quick question, I recently added a lid to my 64 gallon aquarium. Do you think I should add an air stone? I have an internal filter and a hang on the back filter.
Probably not necessary, but it certainly won’t hurt anything either.
Great video. I slowed my HOB flow down a bit and actually noticed less hair algae on my plants...maybe a coincidence?
Might be. For us it usually forms more in slow flow areas. Haha
Yes! 🙌 Thank you for bringing reasonable logic to this notion. I understand why the theory was made, but it was just a hypothesis that is still unproven. Even if the ‘faster flow causes less contact’ was even slightly true, it shouldn’t affect already cycled tanks because the bacteria is EVERYWHERE. I can only see this question (contact time) confusing new keepers.
The oxygen argument is compelling, but as my tank is slow-flow for my betta (sponge filters FTW), I understand that the entire water surface also aids in adding oxygen. Is oxygen something that should be monitored in general?
Probably not.
Jason,a while ago I asked for suggestions for a 75 gallon mbuna tank and you suggested Psuedotropheus Saulosi and Acei_ my tanks been cycled and I'm looking to purchase Saulosi and Acei_ where's the best place to order from?
Probably the Wet Spot?
Makes good sense. I'm sure there is an optimal flow rate for the bacteria but not at the expense of all the other factors. Oxygenation like you said, anatomy of the stock in the tank, plant types, substrate type, filter maintenance, particulate matter, etc. Love your pragmatism Mr Jason the baller teacher guy :)
Kind of related question - what are thoughts on transferring filter media from an established high ammonia tank to a new, larger tank that we are cycling? Would using the high ammonia tank filter media detrimentally introduce ammonia to the new tank? I'm not finding info on this.
If the tank still has high ammonia it’s probably not cycled so transferring the media won’t help much until the established tank is ammonia and nitrite free. It can be useful then.
I'm new to the hobby so new my tank hasn't done the new tank cycle yet. I put a aqua clear 110 and a marineland 360 so my turn over will be around 860 per hour all together. My question is will that be fine with a 75 gallon aquarium
It depends on the fish. It's more than enough, but if you have fish fighting the current you may have to slow it down a little.
Grea video. How much flow do tetras and white clouds like?
Usually medium flow - nothing crazy slow or fast
Hi Jason I have been watching some of your videos on treating ich outbreaks in tanks. I have a question. I have otocinclis who have ich they are in a tank with guppies. I have a top fin power filter that has prepackaged filters with carbon. The tank is cycled. I didn’t realize when I started dosing the medicine that the prepackaged filter had carbon. I cut out as much carbon as I could but there are still trace amounts. I don’t know if I should just remove the entire filter? I have a pre sponge filter but no other back filtration if I remove the filter completely. Will this ruin my tank cycle? The trace amounts of carbon are still doing a good job removing the medication from the tank the water is completely clear after dosing last night and having blue water. I’m new to this. I ended up ordering the ich medication from aquarium co op but it won’t arrive for a few days so I am using API super ick. Also I have the heat turned up to about 84. I didn’t add salt because there is conflicting information about whether otos can tolerate salt. I’m so sorry to bombard you with this long comment I’m hoping you can provide some guidance on the filter. Thank you so much!
If the tank has been established for 3-4 months or more, removing the filter cartridge might not harm anything.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics thank you so much for your response!
We have a couple of Sunburst Platys. Does amyone k ow how fastof a filteration flow they like?
Average is best
Is a Bioflow 1 Pump to much flow for amano shrimp ? I can put in a bit of filter before the exit flow
I haven't used that filter?
How high should the airstones be? For instance I have 4 khuli loaches in a 20 gal tank, and I have an air pump but am worried about turning it up at all
If you look at our fish room tours you will see our sponge filter flow rate - you can use that as a guide for your air stone?
I have a bay oscar
Running a top filter
With a sponge filter on the left side and a stone on the right side.
Pretty heavy flow.
If my oscar ok ?
As long as he’s not fighting the flow it’s ok.
I recently learned that my tap water has chloramines so doing weekly water changes is bad because it adds extra ammonia to my system so I do monthly water changes of 10% instead in my planted tank while keeping the water level high with an auto top off.
Most dechloriantors can neutralize chloramines too.
I have a 10 gallon betta only tank with adjustable flow. If it’s on the low side it gets oil film build up and seems to get dirty faster. (I do weekly 20% water changes). If I turn up the flow it seems to stay cleaner longer (less algae etc). My betta is a plakat and I don’t think minds if it’s stronger flow. Any thoughts ? especially on the oily film). Thanks so much! 😊
In my experience bettas love plants and objects they can rest on. They also breathe from the surface. The less flow, the better.
As long as your betta isn’t getting blown around or hiding from the flow you can turn it up a little.
@@JacobDaDJ thank you! he has lots of plants, logs, hides etc 😊 he’s quite a spoiled boy lol
I'm like number 359 :) happy Friday
Hi i just bought ADA es 150, but not using it yet, my tank is 60p. Is the canister suitable?
I'm not familiar with that filter?
1:57 what kind of fish are those
I have a 55 gallon acrylic aquarium.But I do not have enough surface agitation from my fluval 407. And I am not getting enough from my sicce wave maker .What do you recommend ?
Air couple air stones can help.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics I was thinking about two Marineland Maxi-Jet 600 over the sicce wave maker
Could someone tell me what are the black fish with red find at 1:55? They look like platties or mollies maybe but when I try and Google for this color I can't find any that match.
Variatus Platy?
@@PrimeTimeAquatics
Maybe, but I wish I could find this color one. Really striking in my opinion!
Sadly I sped into the hobby a little too fast and purchased silver dollar tetra's and now have 4 in a 60 gallon. They're about palm size. Wish I could find someone to give them a home. They are getting bigger, need to be in a bigger school and need a bigger tank.
I have one tank that I’ve had about 4 months that doesn’t seem to have ever cycled. I had fish in it before I learned about cycling 😬 I’ve been doing a lot of water changes and using Fritz 7 and Fritz complete. I have a hang on back filter. Maybe tank needs more oxygen? Like an air stone?
Got two tanks after that I did successfully cycle. Can’t figure out the first one
That could be it if there are a decent number of fish in the tank. You could try adding plants (or more plants). If you are adding ferts you could try cutting that back as well.
Might be doing too much water changes. If you remove the ammonia before the nitrite has a chance to consume it, the tank will never fully cycle. Trick is to detoxify the amonia/nitrites (Seachem Prime works for this) until the nitrates grow. Once you register nitrates in your water test, you’ve fully cycled and can start doing water changes again.
@@melilu2845 thank you for the advice. Appreciate it :)
I had a UV light that wasn't killing my algea and was told that my water flow was too much and that's why it wasn't working properly. That the water wasn't getting enough contact with the light. (This was in a goldfish pond.) Is that true?
For UV filters that can be true, but usually the flow through a UV filter is set to ensure that isn’t an issue?
i have 2.5 gallon guppy tank how long should keep the filter running in a day?
All day every day.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics thank you
I went to my local fish store after my fish passed within days; according to my API test kit there was 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite and a small reading of nitrates. My LFS wanted to check so I took a sample in and they said they don't think the tank was cycled and I must have had an ammonia spike so It was my fault for using a sponge filter and it wasn't enough for my 15gal tank with only 6 panda cories and cycled sponge ... Was LFS wrong or could I have had an ammonia spike despite changing 10L every other day?
LFS was in the wrong, just didn't want to refund you.
@@Trashalchemy I did think that; should have stood up for myself 😏
Ya, they seem very confused. I’ve literally had 100’s of guppies in a 20 gallon with one sponge filter - no issues. I currently have over 200 panda Cory cats in a 20 long. One small sponge filter - zero issues. Lots of examples like that.
I’ve just bought a 6ft aquarium which runs on the same filters as I had on my 4ft .
Now thinking of getting a bigger filter so the water passes through quicker to make the aquarium clearer
I like running two HOB filters on a 6ft tank. Maybe keep the one you have and add one to the other side? If you already have two you may be ok.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics
Hi . Yes I already have two my my only concern is the flow rate.
Do you have a Danio Zebra video??
Not yet!
Today I went to my local fish store, I found a product with live nitrifying bacteria. Do you think this would start my nitrogen cycle or not ?
If it contains live bacteria - probably
Want to filter a ton but low flow in the tank? Spray bar with a ton of holes to distribute the flow all over
I just had a guppy die. Now I have only 1. The thing is that they just stay at top of water the whole time. I have the filter going on low to try not to make movement of water flow too much and I have an air pump in there hooked up to a seashell that opens up; but the bubbles that come up aren’t small but medium size. Well, thought maybe not getting enough oxygen so I bought a bigger air pump rated for my size aquarium since the other one is rated for up to 10 gallon aquarium. And I bought an air stone with the new air pump and when I got home that 1 was already dead. I got it hooked up and it blowing a lot of fine bubbles but the other guppie is still staying at top of tank. I wonder if current too strong and that killed the other one or what. The black skirt textras are just fine and acting normal. Ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates are 0 water temp is 78. Ph is 8.0. Y’all know what it could be? I also turned the air stone down to see if it will still the waters down and still won’t swim down. Where do I need the aquarium water at from where the water comes out of filter into aquarium? Wondering if water too low which may be making the water hit harder making a stronger current.
Unfortunately, most of the guppies bought at pet stores are of poor quality (unless they bought directly from a local breeder). I personally can't keep them alive so I only buy from breeders in our fish clubs or people breeding them online.
@@PrimeTimeAquatics yeah, we got them from petco. We do have a local pet store own by a family. I just bought 2 fish from them yesterday so probably get fish from them. I will have to get a Bolivian ram online though because they only have the German blue rams and I don’t have fish that likes water that hot. Do you know a good online breeder of Bolivian rams and other fish?
Does Co2 play a role when it comes to oxygen 🤔
Not really.
the bigger question, how much filter is too much filter. Also think of the bacteria as tiny hands in a factory that grabs ammonia, they will grab a molecule and work on it, if there is jsut a bunch of ammonia not moving next to it, i dont think thats good either, no matter how fast the flow they will grab em and work on it, so it just depends on the fish, tank flow and the shape of ur canister to get most water around,
You are mostly correct. TDO2 is going to determine which microbes thrive, but the O2 levels are also affected by fungi , plants, certain algae, and cyanobacteria blooming from eutrophication. They can also be toxic, so yay.