Filter for 55gal planted tank

[HiGhTiMeZ]

hello i currently have my 55g plant tank running with 2 AC300...
i think its making a little too much surface agitation. i have 2 fluval internal powerheads sitting.. can i just use them for filtering the whole tank?

thanx in advance plant experts.

 

[Bderick67]

I actually just put a AC110 on my 120g planted and have noticed no ill effects. I doo have the water line as high as possible which reduces the surface aggitation. However I've run planted tanks with just canister with pretty good luck.

 

[HiGhTiMeZ]

im thinking of changing filter to have a really non-agigated water surface.
as u see, ac70 still makes bubbles and agitates the water even at the lowest setting.

so once again, can 2 internal powerheads be sufficient for filtration?

 

[Bderick67]

Possible to use the Fluvals, I had my 72g bowfront being filtered with just a magnum 350, this was very little bio but the plants were consuming nitrates to the point that my levels were at or near zero.

 

[HiGhTiMeZ]

Possible to use the Fluvals, I had my 72g bowfront being filtered with just a magnum 350, this was very little bio but the plants were consuming nitrates to the point that my levels were at or near zero.

thats what i was thinkin, i dont think i need all those stuff in the ac filter.
bderick u think just sponges is good?

 

[Wolf3101]

Cut it down to one unit rather than two. use both of the mechanical foam blocks in the single filter. You can also cut down on the serface aggataition by rubberbanding a piece of foam to the outlet ramp just above the serface of the water.

 

[WyldFya]

Unless you are injecting co2, there is no reason to reduce the surface agitation. Actually the opposite will benefit the plants. If you have enough plants in the tank, proper lighting, and nutrients, then there is no need for a filter at all. My display tank has run for weeks with no filter at all.

 

[HiGhTiMeZ]

yes wyld i am using co2

 

[HiGhTiMeZ]

you have enough plants in the tank, proper lighting, and nutrients, then there is no need for a filter at all. My display tank has run for weeks with no filter at all.

hmmmmm.... thats good to know.
although i dont think i should run a tank w/o any filter.

 

[HiGhTiMeZ]

You can also cut down on the serface aggataition by rubberbanding a piece of foam to the outlet ramp just above the serface of the water.

hmmmm! ur right! i myt just try that. thanks man!