Fluval Filter And Aeration, Is an air pump needed with Fluval 205

[greenacres]

I just picked up a second hand 30 gallon aquarium. With it came a Fluval 205 filter. It is unclear to me from reading the manual whether the filter actually provides sufficient air flow or a seperate air pump is needed. The manufacturer responded with "everything you need is in the manual". I will have 5 goldfish in the tank. I'm looking for recommendations. Thank you!

[Robyn]

Yes, with that filter and goldfish, I would add an air pump connected to air line to an air stone. The filter will provide some surface agitation by water movement (and thus gas exchange) but not enough in my opinion for goldfish.

Good luck!

P.S. I looked up the Fluval 205; they pump 180 gph, and new ones cost $125. I would suggest 250 to 300 gph for your set up but if the fish are small (at the start at least), the filter should be okay.

[Broxandval]

You will find that Ehiem make a venturie to fit on the end of the return pipe which will add aeriaton to your tank another way is to add a bottom filter with uplift tube and add an airstone too it.
Now for a larger for larger tank use a powerhead instead
Please tell us what filter material you plan to use and I'll tell you what we used to use .
One problem with the fluval though is that if you get the fitting of the lid wrong you can break the locking clamp , which you can replace but at a cost

rgrds

DaveandVal.

[greenacres]

I understand that the Fluval 205's capacity to maintain the 30 gal. tank with goldfish is questionable. I will be adding an air pump, thanx to Robyn and my gut instinct. I currently have a 10 gal. tank w/5 goldfish/shubunkins. I have a 10" aerating stone and the output from the power filter currently aerating the tank. Appears to be working well and keeping the balance. The fish are currently 2-4" long. That being said....I ordered the following for the fluval filter.

Lower basket - Zeo-carb
Middle basket - Ammonia Remover
Upper basket - Biomax

What media did you use for your setup? Did you have goldfish? What do you recommend? (Thanx, I will take note to be careful when fitting the lid.) The fluval manual says to take note of the order the media was shipped. Well, I bought this second hand so I don't know how it was shipped. Again , Hagen was helpful in directing me to the manual.

I'm hoping the the extra ammonia removal in the filter and the additon of an air pump will help to maintain the tank until the fish get larger. I also will have 2-3 live plants. I have found that the goldfish do not bother with the lucky bamboo plant I have, and it stands up to their re-arrangement of the gravel. Another plus, no dead leaves!

Thank you for your assitance folks.

[Robyn]

I've never had a Fluval myself. The ammonia remover is probably zeolite. The "zeo-carb" much be a zeolite and carbon mix. While it is probably a good idea to use the zeolite when you set up the tank as the ammonia will spike, once you get the nitrogen cycle settled, you can do away with the zeolite. That may take a while though. The more biological media that you can get in there the better in my mind.

[Broxandval]

Or do as we do alternate two bags of zeolite in your filter which means no ammonia as it is being constantly leachedout of the water via the zeolite

rgrds

Daveandval