Filter power question

[RandomMistakes]

I currently have a 55 gallon with a magnum 350 filter (350 gph) with a Senegal bichir, delhezi bichir, African butterflyfish, African brown knife, and 2 dwarf cichlids. Do you think it would be good to buy another magnum 350 or is the one efficient enough? If I don't buy the filter, I will be buying more rocks and plants for the tank. I just can't buy both, so what do you think?

Please don't suggest other filters because I found this one selling used locally at a very cheap price.

 

[Thalan]

I would go for the extra filter. If you found a good deal go ahead and snag it, you can always find decor later or go collect some for free.

 

[Wretched5705]

if you read the primer, beblondie mentions something about moving ten times the amount of water your tank holds so another filter would be a good idea.

 

[RandomMistakes]

That makes sense. I just figured that if the filter was rated for 100 gallon aquariums, then just one would be more than enough. Guess it is better for the tank though to have too much versus not enough filtration.

Can you really add decor you find outside? I figured any wood or rocks found outside would be bad for the fish?

 

[moonchild1970]

Up to you. In my 75G tank, I run two HOB's rated for a 75G tank. My Param's are perfect.

 

[Wretched5705]

Can you really add decor you find outside? I figured any wood or rocks found outside would be bad for the fish?

you have to treat them first, usually by boiling them for a half hour or more, otherwise parasites and blah blah blah

 

[zspidel]

turning your tank 10's an hour is great but not necessarily required. as long as your water params are good thats all that really matters. the more filtering you have the less w/c and tank maintanence you generally need. but with that being said, i suggest turning your tank as many times as you can. right now im turning m 55g 15.5 times an hour. i just love extra filtration

 

[Cholly]

4 to 5 times turnover is the absolute minimum, with low stocking. I run 10 to 12 times turnover on every tank I own. I believe that if the fish aren't bothered by the current, there's no such thing as over filtration.

 

[Thalan]

Can you really add decor you find outside? I figured any wood or rocks found outside would be bad for the fish?

I've collected quite a bit of wood and rocks from random places. As mentioned before boiling is a good idea, you can also bake some stuff or soak it with a little bleach in the water just be sure to add a triple dose of dechlor after and let it soak a little more.

 

[moonchild1970]

turning your tank 10's an hour is great but not necessarily required. as long as your water params are good thats all that really matters. the more filtering you have the less w/c and tank maintanence you generally need. but with that being said, i suggest turning your tank as many times as you can. right now im turning m 55g 15.5 times an hour. i just love extra filtration

Ditto.