Is 130gph enough filtration/water movment for a 55G planted tank?

On Mon, 21 Jun 2004 10:32:18 -0400, "Harry Muscle"
wrote:

I started playing around with my Fluval 404 in preparation for getting my
55G planted tank finally setup. I have a bunch of plumbing connected to it
(partly base tmax's design) and according to my calculations/tests I
have a flow rate of around 130gph (down from the 225gph with nothing
connected).

First I'm wondering if this is enough filtration. I'm planning on this
being a medium planted tank with a medium to heavy fish load. I know I can
just add a HOB filter and be safe, but I would prefer to stay away from HOBs
if possible.

Second, I'm wondering if I will have enough current in this tank. I know
it's hard to say without knowing exactly which fish I will have, but I'm
hoping to get a mix, some that like current, some that might not. So would
130gph provide enough current for your average planted community tank or
should I consider adding a power head, and if so, how strong?

Thanks,
Harry


Hmmm... I found my 404 to be a little on the large side for a 55 gal.
As for water movement, I actually had to turn my down with the
adjustment lever to lower the output (also lowers input at same time).
This reduced the flow rate enough that my fish were not blowing around
the tank. I have my output roughly 2/3rds of the way down the back
side of the tank, spraying directly into that corner, using the corner
of the tank to turn the water and blow toward the front, then curve
around the farthest side back to the intake tube.

+-------------------------------------------------+
| in -out |
| | |
| V |
| -________________-_____+

hopefully that makes it through and is understandable.

I also have the gravel sloped from upper right hand corner (front) to
lower left hand corner (back) so that anything loose is naturally
blown down to the intake for the Fluval. This seems to work very
well, when I do water changes, there is little that needs cleaning in
the gravel bed (even though I do a thorough job every time anyway).

It does mean that I have to clean the input filters on the Fluval once
per month (just rinse clean) during one of my water changes.

Plants generally do NOT like high water volume movement. They don't
do well directly in front of the output of most filters. Since my
output is parallel with the back of the tank, this is not an issue.
The only section of my tank that does NOT have a high volume of
plants, is right around the intake tube. I leave that completely
clear. It also allows me to gage if plants are not doing well, since
everything tends to settle in that low section.
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