hydro 5 as prefilter?

[dpt8]

I'm having trouble with two aquaclear 300's with double sponges on my 55 gl. I treated with formulin and lost the bio-load again. I do have fluval 2 sleeves as prefilters but I am trying a hydro 5 on the intake of one aquaclear 300 trying to get that to run the sponge and add more bacteria. Do you think that will work out good? Thanks, David T.

[slicksta]

not sure how dense a hydro is but as long as the sponge doesn't cut the flow through the 300 you should be good

[Carol_Roberts]

Hi David:
Two aqua clear 300's with double sponges should be enough filtration for a 55 gallon. If you want to run an extra airdriven sponge filter you can. The point of a prefilter is to trap debris that you can then quickly rinse off under chlorinated tap water. I wouldn't try to have a prefilter do double duty.

[slicksta]

good point Carol
I purposely kill all bio in my prefilter(floss & sponges) so it can be replaced as needed and it leaves no place for the bac' to grow but where I want it to....in my wet/dry.
If you wanted to increase your bio...you should be able to run it with a 300....but you would have to rinse in tank water when needed.