Waterflow

[RyanMcLaughlin]

I have a 100 gallon tank cycling now and spent my budget on my two canister filters, rock, sand, skimmer, heaters, and media. I couldnt afford the powerheads and have been letting my tank cycling for two weeks without them. I now got the money for them but came across a deal for dual 250 mh's and flourescent actnic combo for 150. I am going to buy which means I need to get a hood to put it in. SO now to the question, my two filters put out 550gph and i have one for surface agitation and one as a directional flow. Is that ok for fish for like another month? Thank you.

 

[tmz]

I think so. High flow is more of an issue for corals and then some of them like low flow.As long as you have surface agitation for gas exchange, you can always blow off your rocks and sand bed(if any) with a turkey baster evry few days to prevent detrius buildup.

 

[demonsp]

Remove the canister filters. You may beable to use one later but a few powerheads much more important.You need test kitss or do you have already? You cant use these as water flow in the tank.They only collect nitrate and filter water. Not sure where you learned that 2 canister filter more important . This is some info pls read.GL.


http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/startinganaquarium/tp/topmistakes.htm


http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?&acatid=285&aid=243


http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2007/1/aafeature/view

 

[RyanMcLaughlin]

Well I know that canisters can work for saltwater I dont plan on a huge reef tank so I am not worried right now. I also dont fully understand sumps right now so I got the next best thing. Maybe later as my tank develops and my knowledge grows I might build a sump I have from my 20 gallon tank.

 

[tmz]

You'll like the sump alot better and they're pretty easy .
I ran a 90gallon with success on a fluval 404 for over a year. You have to clean it frequently(at least every ten days) and do your water changes and you should be ok. It's a good idea in my opinion to run fresh carbon(changed every thirty days rinsed in tank water every ten days).Some polypad in the canister also helps. Particularly with phosphate. Flow is important but for a month or so with fish only you should be fine.