Canister filters and biological filtration

[Dan J.S.]

I used to have the following setup on my 150 gallon tank:

Eheim 2028 (rated for 150 gallon tank)
Emperor Penguin with biowheels

I got rid of the Emperor and got another Eheim 2026(rated for a 90 gallon
tank). So with the two Eheims, am I getting as much bio filtration? I
understand the bio-wheel is really good, problem is, the tank is in my
living room, and the water splashing all the time drove me a bit crazy.
Eheims are silent, I still make sure enough surface water is moved, but it
is now silent. Since I put in the Eheim, on of my Angels died (3 days
later). Not sure if this was related or not.

Any suggestions?


--one more fact to add. Both Eheims have the recommended filter media
(bought the kit from big als)..

[Dave Millman]

"Dan J.S." > wrote in message >...
> I used to have the following setup on my 150 gallon tank:
>
> Eheim 2028 (rated for 150 gallon tank)
> Emperor Penguin with biowheels
>
> I got rid of the Emperor and got another Eheim 2026(rated for a 90 gallon
> tank). So with the two Eheims, am I getting as much bio filtration? I
> understand the bio-wheel is really good, problem is, the tank is in my
> living room, and the water splashing all the time drove me a bit crazy.
> Eheims are silent, I still make sure enough surface water is moved, but it
> is now silent. Since I put in the Eheim, on of my Angels died (3 days
> later). Not sure if this was related or not.

The filter-related issue which most commonly kills fish is destroying
the biofilter, which allows an ammonia build up. With your two
filters, you could destroy the biofilter by simultaneously:

1. Removing the Emperor
2. Cleaning the old Eheim in tap water
3. Doing a water change with untreated tap water

Did this happen? Another way to tell is if you can measure any ammonia
or nitrate in the tank at all. If either is measurable, you have a
biofiltration problem.

Having said that, mature tanks seldom completely lose their
biofiltration bacteria colony unless owners clean the filter AND
refill the tank with untreated water.

Safest answer is to leave some old filtration media in the filter at
every cleaning, clean it with aquarium water or treated water, and
treat every drop of water change water with Amquel, Prime or your
favorite.