So in my 20 gallon long planted tank. I have an Aqueon 30-45 gallon rated filter. It works great and I really would not like to buy a new filter, but the flow on it is so powerful. Is there anysort of spray bar attachment i could make to distribute the water across the tank and not just make a huge current in the middle. My fish only swim on the bottom since the flow is so strong. Let me know any options or advice please. Thanks.
Aqueon30-45 Flow too strong.
- Thread starter Electric45
- Start date
I've never heard anyone mention "Aqueon filter" and "too powerful" in the same sentence before! You could put a layer of floss just before the output to cut down the flow...
it doesnt cut down the flow tho, ive tried that. The floss just makes the water drop vertically out of the filter so the flow does not diturb the surface of the water, which causes very little surface agitation at all (worries me). It just causes a vertical current in the tank instead of a horizontal or diagonal downwards flow. This definatly quiets the aquarium since there is little water trickling sound but im worried that the water doesnt have enough movement around the tank now..
I thought you wanted to reduce the current so the fish could swim easier... Vertical current should help, right? Have you tried raising the water level? That could reduce the current, but not much. Surface agitation shouldn't be too much of an issue in a planted tank, but long tanks like a 20long should really have more than one filter or a powerhead to keep it stirred up & consistent. Otherwise you'll get nasty dead spots & inconsistent temperature.
I have left the filter floss in for a while. I guess it does seem to help. The water level is high as can be, and the fish do seem to be swimming a little more which is good. I dont think i need a powerhead or another filter considering my filter ( and heater ) is positioned right in the middle of the tank and I can see the water circulating slowly around. Why dont you exacctly need as much surface agitation in a planted tank? Do the plants really give off a significant amount of Oxygen?
Some do, some don't. Surface agitation will reduce CO2, though. You have to find a CO2/O2 balance that works for the fish & the plants. Too much Oxygen can cause your plants to stop growing & the algae to start. I run my airstone only at night when the plants arent making O2.