Subfilter or 2 filters?

**AhVy** · 28th Jul 2012, 12:47

Hi there,
I have started a 2ft cichlid tank (abt 1mth) and is using an eheim 2211 together with an old dolphin HOB 100 filter.
Because i slightly overstock the tank, so i am thinking of replacing the dolphin filter.

Question is... Should i get a subfilter or just a bigger HOB?

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**Shadow** · 28th Jul 2012, 14:25

Is this planted tank or bare tank? IMO 2211 is under power for 2ft tank, subfilter will make it worst

**AhVy** · 28th Jul 2012, 15:52

Oh no! Is it! Then will getting another hang on filter help??

See photo...

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**bondwinner** · 29th Jul 2012, 02:59

I will not even consider the subfilter options in my personal views of it, as your 2211 eheim might already be under power for your slightly overstock tank as you had mentioned in your post.

**planetwater** · 29th Jul 2012, 06:16

Getting bigger canister or HOF will create more flow rate in the tank might stress the fishes.

**wongce** · 29th Jul 2012, 09:01

Ahvy, imho,try to achieve 8-10x Filter capacity for the current tank...e.g for 50L tank, try to get 500L flow rate filter.A the filter flowrate will greatly reduced after you jammed pack it with filter wool,media...fish poos,wear and tear(A healthy assumption is 65-70% of the rated filter flowrate).

A bigger filter also means you can add a prefilter,chiller if you wanted to upgrade it after some time and still have decent flowrate.

If you are budget conscious, an extra filter sponge,HOF,OHF,powerhead can also help;but will have higher power consumption, space issue, aesthetic issues.