Is A Slower Flow Better?

[JenTheDroid]

I’m in a group online and I saw a comment the other day where someone said the slowest flow rate on your aquarium filter allows more time for bacteria to flow through or something like that. I have never seen anyone mention this before. 
 

I’m sorta confused at this point because I see (read) where all these people are buying filters that are like a 75 model for a 20 gallon or a 110 model for a 55 gallon. Wouldn’t turning the flow all the way down defeat the purpose of more GPH filtering through? Especially since a lot of these filters, that I’ve seen anyway, show the maximum output flow on the box but I rarely see the minimum flow. 
 

I know there are instances where people turn down the flow because of fish who prefer calmer waters, but at that point I’m kinda wondering why you would buy the largest filter you can find just to turn it all the way down. 
 

I have two 70 gallon filters on my 55 gallon. I originally bought a 110 but the flow/current was way too strong for my fish. It was also too heavy for me to take it off to clean it. So I switched to 2 smaller ones, mostly so if one goes out I still have one as a safety net. I’m honestly pretty sure my fish would prefer if I turned the flow down but then I worry about the water being too still or not getting cleaned enough. I’m not sure. I hope this makes sense. I’m sorry for all the word vomit. 

[Guppysnail]

Zenzo did a great job of answering just this in an easy way to understand. Both work.  I use larger filters just to have more room for media. 

 

[JenTheDroid]

On 6/23/2022 at 4:48 PM, Guppysnail said:

Zenzo did a great job of answering just this in an easy way to understand. Both work.  I use larger filters just to have more room for media. 

 

That was exactly the answer I was looking for! I assume that with 2 HOB filters then the water should be continuously moving even with a lower flow. Thank you so much! 
 

I seriously love when this happens. 😂 I wouldn’t have ever found that video because I wasn’t sure how to search it. 

[Bev C]

when i started out  buying my  first filter … My LFS guy  told me to buy one step above my size ,,,to be able to add more media & that it would not have to work as hard keeping  my water clean ,, I always went with that ,, i like the size above so you can add the extra media 

[Torrey]

On 6/23/2022 at 4:22 PM, JenTheDroid said:

That was exactly the answer I was looking for! I assume that with 2 HOB filters then the water should be continuously moving even with a lower flow. Thank you so much! 
 

I seriously love when this happens. 😂 I wouldn’t have ever found that video because I wasn’t sure how to search it. 

I use plants as my primary filters, sponge filters and pond pumps provide the sound of water I need for my mental health. Plants do the heavy lifting.

In other words, I think there are a gazillion ways to do it, and using sustainability as the long term yard stick helps us identify what is right for our tanks and our needs.