Just Need a Little Reassurance from the Best..

[hojo1621]

Hello Everyone,

I am usually a 'reader' and not a poster, but this has just been bugging me.

Have a JD, (2) Firemouths, a Convict, and (5) black tetras in a 55 gallon (all of the cichlids are around 4 1/2 inches).
For filtration right now I have (2) Emperor 400's running on this tank. One of them has Cell-Pore cartridges in the two extra slots (behind the mechanical filter pads), while the other filter has Chemi-Pure and Carbon Bags in the extra slots (also placed after the mechanical pads). Water changes are 25% a week. Am I, or will I be under-filtered in the future?

And yes, I know you can never have "too much" filtration.



P.S. - I know about stocking and the tank is as peaceful as a Hindu cow.

 

[cvermeulen]

You're right, there's no such thing as too much. it sounds like you are adequate right now. The best way to tell is by regular water testing, really. If you see ammonia or nitrites (ANY, EVER) you are borderline on bio filtration, or you've done something to disturb the BB. Mechanical filtration helps the bio by getting rid of decaying flotsam that produces ammonia, but really the best way to tell if your mech. is adequate is jut by looking at the tank - clear enough for you? good enough. (as long as your nitrogen byproducts are staying at zero)