170l Whirlpool (how Much Current Is Too Much?)

[moon]

Hello.

I have a 170L tank that I am currently fishless cycling. I've gone a bit "Tim the toolman" and installed an Eheim 2126 external filter which is suitable for tanks twice the size of mine. This is generating a fairly brisk circular current (excacerbated by the half hexagonal shape of the tank).

I want to make sure my fishies will be happy, so am after some advice regarding the in flow, out flow and resultant currents...

I assume most fish prefer less current than more?
How can I judge if there is too much current?

The Eheim manual indicates that the in flow should be at the same end as the out flow, and the out flow water should be directed across the length of the tank.

I am thinking of changing this so the out flow is directed across the width of the tank, hopefully creating a calm end and turbulent end. An alternative may be to point the out flow down (although this may play havoc with my sand!). Are there any reasons why either of these would not be a good idea?

Any comments or suggestions most welcome!

Cheers
Moon

 

[zig]

Make the holes in the spraybar bigger or take the stopper out from the end of the spraybar, this will help reduce the current in the tank, or you could point the spraybar at the back wall of the tank this will also help.

 

[moon]

Make the holes in the spraybar bigger or take the stopper out from the end of the spraybar, this will help reduce the current in the tank, or you could point the spraybar at the back wall of the tank this will also help.

Thanks Z.

I took out the stopper, and this seems to work - the swordtails seem to like the strong current at the front of the tank, my plants stay upright and the neons have plenty of relatively calm water to muck about in!.

 

[TammyLiz]

I had a similar question and thought I might as well post it in here rather than start a new similar thread. I was thinking about getting a penguin 200b power filter with biowheel (200 gallons per hour) to put on a 2 foot, 20 gallon tank. Does anyone know if this would this be too much current? Should I stick with the 150? It won't have any adjustable flow like Moons filter.

 

[ccg]

TammyLiz:

I don't believe you will have any current problems using that filter on your setup. I personally have 2 Aqua Clear 110' (aka 500's) on a 40 gallon tank. Thats 1000gallons per hour and the fish seem to like it.

 

[TammyLiz]

TammyLiz:

I don't believe you will have any current problems using that filter on your setup. I personally have 2 Aqua Clear 110' (aka 500's) on a 40 gallon tank. Thats 1000gallons per hour and the fish seem to like it.

Thanks for the response.