more filters than required

[new2ovas]

just a quick question - I was wondering if there is a benefit to puting two big filters on a 90 gal tank?

will the water be cleaner with less water changes or does it do more damage than good having too muhc filter?

I also thought it good to move more of the water around at the surface for more O2.

Cheers

[KLKelly]

I don't think it will result in less water changes.  Reducing Nitrates (invisible) along with removing debris is why you do water changes. Water changes help keep PH stable and a whole bunch of other things.  An extra filter will help with the debris but won't make nitrates disappear or appear slower.  If your current filter is handling the bioload (no ammonia and nitrite appearing) then the only benefits of another filter would be duplication in case one fails, helps keep the water cleaner with extra mechanical filtration, and the extra aeration. This could also be accomplished with bubble stones/wands.

[dan2x38]

One thing with extra filtering if you have a lot of fish - heavy bio-load - you will have capacity for a greater bio-filter surface. If your tank is planted though extra filtering works against you gassing of more CO2. If it is a cold water tank that means your fish require higher amounts of O2 so they will have more supplied by better gas exchange. But usually over filtering is never a bad thing. There are certain fish that like & need more water movement. Knowing all your fishes requirements is important for their health and longevity.

[Vizerdrix]

I always overfilter my tanks, and the benefit I found to two filters is that one week I change the media in the first, the next week I change it in the second.

[zima]

I always overfilter my tanks, and the benefit I found to two filters is that one week I change the media in the first, the next week I change it in the second.

Ditto here. This way I also never run into the problem of un- or under-cycled filter. Also helps removing debris faster. I would say it wouldn't hurt to overfilter tanks, but definitely not a requirement, especially if you tanks have a low to avergare bio-load.

[beowulf]

I have 3 filters on my 112g with my clown loaches simply because they like a lot of water movement.  It also helps that I can clean a filter every two weeks or so and not have to worry about ammonia spikes.

[dan2x38]

Oh yes by the way I have 2 filters on all my tanks too. The planted tanks I use ACs on with the water level very high so there is no splash. All my breeder tanks I have HOB power filters and sponge filters too.

[NjOyRiD]

I run an fx5 and a fluval 304 in my 65g
...but i have 15 medium size fish

[woodendude]

I'm a big fan of over filtration, I run 3 Rena xp 3's and 1 ehiem pro 2 on my 150 gal. I do however also have a habit of overstocking my tanks!!!

[Montrealguy]

I have two of the largest Aquaclears on my 120. The fish do fine, and the current is good. If you keep river fish, you want water movement.

[Jeff1192]

I have to agree with everyone else. I overfilter my 90 gallon. I am running an Eheim Pro II and an Eheim 2215 on mine.

Jeff

[Laura]

I heavily overfilter my goldfish tank - but they're pigs.
My 65 isn't overfiltered, but I have a spare 304 I've been thinking of adding....