General Care Discussion :: Filter to strong for my tank?

[StevenAkaProek]

Hello I currently have a 20gallon tank for my 2 res(both 1 inch) I will soon be buying a filter. I would like to buy the FLUVAL FX5. Will it be to powerfull for my tank? I don't want to get anything smaller because I do plan on upgrading to a 120gallon tank within 2-3 months. So I would like to have a filter ready to handle the future tank. Just trying to save money. Thanks for all the help guys!

[N4784N R4613]

Holy cow, yes!!! An FX5 will be way to much for a 20 gallon tank!!! There would be more water in the filter then in the tank!!(well, not really but you get the point.) It would be like a whirl pool in the tank! Just keep doing whatever your doing now to keep the tank clean, it is only 2-3 months right?

[Bumby's Mom]

If you don't have a filter yet you can get a cheap one. For my hatchlings I had a DJ Duetto 100 filter and it worked great for them since they can't get trapped behind it.

[Chrisbarnett]

Yeah, I would go with bumby's mom. Get a little internal filter for now to hold off until you get that large tank. which sounds sweet by the way!

[donchewliano]

agreed with the posts above... I always see pretty cheap used ones on craigslist and now that the weather is warmer... I'd look out for one in yard/garage sales.

[industrial_girl_2000]

If your tank is only 20 gallons & you plan on upgrading to a 120 gallon tank soon, then I would just do 100% weekly water changes till you get your new tank. Chances are, with a turtle needing a basking platform, you only have to change out about 10-12 gallons of water & that's not a lot of work.

I have a 20-gallon tank for my aquatic frog right now, and it isn't a lot of work to maintain the tank which is why I suggested this.