Posts tagged Canister

Can Two Canister Filters Be Used In One Fish Tank?

Canister filters are renowned to be the most efficient fish tank filters around today.  It is true that they will cost a lot initially but if you can afford to install one, they will save you a whole lot in terms of time spent maintaining them and of course money.  But for people who have already installed a canister filter in their aquarium, what now comes to mind is whether they should then install two filters and what are the benefits of this extra filtration to the aquatic life?

Actually, this is a matter of preference that most fish breeders cannot agree on whether it is a good idea or not to have two canister filters in one tank.  That question has been argued about since canister filters were invented.

Rather than taking a side, I will instead talk about what happens when you have two canister filters in one aquarium and it will be up to you to decide which you choose.

The Benefits Of Having Two Canister Filters.

The obvious reason for most supporters of two filters is backup.  That is to say that you will have a spare filter running in case one of them needs repair, thus ensuring that the water in your fish tank remains filtered.  This reason becomes even more critical for those who live a distance from the nearest aquarium store and cannot get hold of spare parts fast enough.

Another reason is the size of the fish tank itself.  People who like more than one filter say that if the aquarium is too big, one filter will not be enough to cleanse the entire tank as there will be blind spots where the water will not be drawn  into the filter.  Having two canister filters with their inlet positioned at opposite ends of the tank will ensure that there are no blind spots.

What’s The Downside Of Using Two Canister Filters

The main issue about having multiple canister filters is water movement.  The movement of water in the aquarium affects the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.  The faster the rate at which water moves, the faster the exchange will be thus reducing the amount of CO2 in the tank.  But isn’t less CO2 better?  Well, not if you also have aquatic plant life.  Plants take in CO2 and expell O2.  By doing so, plants actually help maintain a healthy balance of CO2/O2 levels in the water.  Having insufficent carbon dioxide levels will stunt the plants growth and cause them to lose their lustre.

Also, excessive filtering will not only filter out the waste materials but also the nutrients that plants are very dependant on.  it is actually true that in a tank with plants, it is the plants that provide a netter and more efficient biological filtration than the beneficial bacteria.

And lastly, and this is especially important for fish that naturally come from a slow moving environment, too much water movements will actually be bad for the health of your fish.  Too much movement places unnecessary stress on them as well as actually stunt their ability to breed.  So these are the pros and cons of having more than one canister filter in a single aquarium.

If you do plan to install an additional filter, just remember to reduce their suction rates to counter balance the disadvantages.

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