do gph really matter ???

[ecoli73]

also keep in mind your stock. some fish enjoy fast waters some dont, plan accordingly. general goal i go for is about 10x turnover but also research as to how much i feed compared to amount of bio media. an example: 20l pond matrix can process almost a pound of food a day. any more than that abd i was risking ammonia.

To clarify, you mean any more food right?


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[Jc1119]

It matters but it's just a part of the overall equation. Surface area, contact time and species needs has as much bearing as does gph.

 

[telley]

hi i have a 150 gls plywood tank what a 55gls tank for a somp i have 2 1in stand pipe in the tank what size pump i need and how much turn over rate i will need for that tank i have 5koi 2 pleco 4 corydoras 2 snials and a crayfish

 

[David R]

It matters but it's just a part of the overall equation. Surface area, contact time and species needs has as much bearing as does gph.

Bingo. It is all about striking the right balance for your tank/fish.

 

[carsona246]

I've been wondering this for a while. I used to keep axolotls, and for a long time my only "filter" was a really old piece of crap hob filter rated for ten gallons on a 40 breeder. Axolotls don't like water movement, so I tried to limit that as much as possible. Instead of mech., I stuffed the hob with peace lilly/pothos roots, which are fantastic bio media's. My 40 breeder rarely had a water problem, and I changed the water once every two weeks or so, with probably 2-3x turnover(probably not even that). Admittedly I did have a ton of plants in that tank. I'm thinking so long as your tank's bio filtration is adequate, you don't really need much turnover. I still use the filter even though it barely comes out as a trickle now, and I still think it helps keep my parameters in check.
I know there are plenty of aquatic salamander keepers who actually forgo using a filter because their salamanders dislike any water movement, and so they use aquatic plants and an air pump to filter their tanks.

 

[Nova 8]

I aim for around 8x but it varies from tank to tank, I like a boat load of biomedia in my canister and like to run good mechanical internals as its easier to clean. Those cheap otto internals off ebay work a treat! Basically if you tank is running well at what ever level it is at there is no need to change it.

 

[frnchjeep]

This has been discussed in the ray section before. Rays are sensitive and are exceptionally high bioloads. If your turnover rate isn't high enough/frequent enough, you could see ammonia readings if it is produced and doesn't make it to the biomedia quickly enough. It might only make a difference for the most sensitive fish, but personally, I aim for 8-10x.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app