Question if I need another filter?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
J

joraejay

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 15, 2010
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Benicia, CA
Hello,

I have 2 oscars that eat like no other, they don't like sharing and they'll fit about 8-10 pieces of large pellets in their mouth then part of it escapes through their gills or they spit it out. I have a 2 crawdads and 3 blood parrots that pretty much eat what the oscars don't eat but it still leaves a lot of floaters in the water then drops to the gravel.

Just wondering, how do you know if you need another filter or not? I know it's good to go overboard on filtration but how do you figure out if you "need" rather than "want". Is it based on water conditions only?

I'm running a 100 Gallon tank and have a Fluval 405. I'm currently doing weekly water changes of about 25-30% and my water tests are always good, ammonia=0, ph=8.0, nitrite=0, nitrate=5.

I would totally purchase a FX5 and run that parallel with the 405 until the FX5 is biologically ready then pull the 405 on a smaller tank or I'd just purchase another 405 and run both on the tank.. but with this economy we're in I don't want to do it if it's not necessary.

Thanks in advance.
 
Although I am no expert yet, and still have a lot to learn myself, I would would suggest feeding them in stages. If your Oscars seem to fit as much in their mouths as possible, only drop a few pellets in at a time, wait for them to eat it, then drop some more in. This should help reduce wasted pellets to a degree.

As far as needing another filter, I was told here recently that the more the merrier. If you really want to get an FX5, and free up the 405 for an extra, smaller tank, then go for it. However, as you said, the economy isn't great, and you don't want to just throw money away, I would just suggest a second 405. The 2 405's would give you some pretty darn good filtration on a 100gal.

Good luck bud. Although I didn't quite give you an answer, I hope I gave you a better look into your two options. Personally, I would get a second 405 because of cost.
 
i would for sure buy another filter, i have a 120 gallon with one Oscar and i have a FX5 and Eheim 2028 pro 2 on it. Oscars are messy as hell!!!!

i recommend the FX5 or an Ehiem.
 
Sounds good, thanks! I guess I'll be picking up a new filter this weekend. I'll probably go with another 405 since it's a bit cost effective.
 
I had two large Os in a 100G and did about a 50% w/c weekly with about a 120GPH turnover rate FYI. But if your not showing any readings on ammonia and nitrites then there should be no need for another filter unless they have more growing to do............
 
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