Do I need a bigger filter ?

Request information on fish, plants or other aquarium issues.
Post Reply
Maz
Member
Posts: 119
Joined: Sat Sep 21, 2019 21:29 pm
Has liked: 164 times
Been liked: 6 times

Hi, I've just changed from a 12 litre tank to a 72 litre tank for my 8 small fish. Now the filter looks really small, possibly inadequate for the bigger tank. Do I need a bigger filter? At the very least I need a longer air tube on the filter so it can sit deeper in the tank. Any advice? Thanks

Image
User avatar
Gingerlove05
Forum Guru
Forum Guru
Posts: 6854
Joined: Sun Jan 21, 2018 20:21 pm
Has liked: 5424 times
Been liked: 2667 times

You will probably find the filter is too small for the bigger tank as you need the filter to cause a flow throughout the water and filter the entire volume.
You’ll want a filter with around a 4.5x turnover, you should be able to adjust the flow to suit your tank and fish.
On a plus note you can use the media (sponges etc) in your current filter and put it in the new filter and it will support your current bioload (fish) as the bacteria have already established.
Maz
Member
Posts: 119
Joined: Sat Sep 21, 2019 21:29 pm
Has liked: 164 times
Been liked: 6 times

Many thanks for the advice.
User avatar
Ric
Previous TOTM Winner
Previous TOTM Winner
Posts: 3093
Joined: Sat Aug 03, 2019 14:32 pm
Location: London
Has liked: 4280 times
Been liked: 1898 times

Well done on the upgrade. I'm sure your fish will enjoy the extra space.
User avatar
Stephen
Guru Multi TOTM Winner
Guru Multi TOTM Winner
Posts: 6016
Joined: Thu Mar 29, 2018 15:42 pm
Location: Hereford, Herefordshire
Has liked: 1415 times
Been liked: 3407 times
Contact:

Your fish will enjoy the additional space.

You'll need a filter that has a minimum flow-rate of 300L/h (litres per hour) such as the Fluval U2 filter, TetraTec Internal IN600 plus, Eheim Pick Up 200, AquaEl ASAP 300, and many more.
Post Reply