Discussion about Over Filtration

[Austy16414]

Austin,
Flow and over-filtration is not the same thing.

That is flow thru your filter right? So with same bio capacity i.e. bac colonies on filter media, you try to run over as fast as you can to increase the contact time between tank water and bac colonies. How about slowing it down to increase the contact time?

That is strictly based on manufacturer's GPH ratings, with expected 25% decrease due to media restraints. I'm actually looking into ways to slow the flow on one of my FX6s, so that I can remove all the mechanical media and fill the entire canister with bio media

[ptran]

I flip my tank around 17 times an hour lol too much filtration -_-

Austin,
Flow and over-filtration is not the same thing.

That is flow thru your filter right? So with same bio capacity i.e. bac colonies on filter media, you try to run over as fast as you can to increase the contact time between tank water and bac colonies. How about slowing it down to increase the contact time?

[Austy16414]

A long time ago an old timer that was once a very respected member of Houston's fish scene made the following comment.

You should add enough filtration to your tank that allows for a 4.5-5 times turn over in an hour.

I've used this example every since. I've never had a crash and I'm not a water change fiend and all of my fish are healthy.

I flip my tank around 17 times an hour lol too much filtration -_-

[danielp]

A long time ago an old timer that was once a very respected member of Houston's fish scene made the following comment.

You should add enough filtration to your tank that allows for a 4.5-5 times turn over in an hour.

I've used this example every since. I've never had a crash and I'm not a water change fiend and all of my fish are healthy.

[ptran]

I'm curious to see how this poll turn out. Please vote!

[ptran]

So it's a tie so far. I was thinking it's going to be a blow-out.

[troy tucker]

I agree with Sunny, The motor suffers no stress. My own pumps have valves to slow flow.

[ptran]

No idea.

Sunny got good sense of humor!

[SunnyHouTX]

I know what you are saying, do you?

No idea.

[rage]

Yes, but that's not a bad thing. By biological capacity I mean available substrate for beneficial bacteria colonization. Capacity exceeding load implies not enough livestock, feeding, decay, etc., in which case, excess bacteria goes dormant for a little while before dying off completely.

I know what you are saying, do you?

[SunnyHouTX]

Yes, but that's not a bad thing. By biological capacity I mean available substrate for beneficial bacteria colonization. Capacity exceeding load implies not enough livestock, feeding, decay, etc., in which case, excess bacteria goes dormant for a little while before dying off completely.

[rage]

No. The biological capacity is not diminished.

Could the biological capacity exceed the load in the first place no matter what?

[ptran]

Yes sir. Just too lazy for research and try to find quick way out. lol.
Let's stick with over-filtration for now.

[SunnyHouTX]

LOL, it's not rocket science. If you can't research what I said and understand how this works, hearing from an ASME certified engineer probably isn't gonna make it any easier.

[ptran]

All right. Any mechanical engineer on here? We want to hear from you!