*fairly* New, Tank Circulation / Flow Question!

[AvengerUK]

Hi All,

I'm fairly new to keeping tropical fish (since ~September last year), and still much to learn! 

The only problem I'm currently having is with flow & dead zones (so quite a bit of debris can build up - obviously would rather it was filtered!) 

What I've tried so far was to increase flow by removing the spray bar from my canister filter (which has helped - the flow wasn't great with it, it's quite good now) (APS EF1400+)

with this outlet pointed a little diagonally towards the front from the back, aimed at the water level to create ripples. 

I have also added a wave maker - which is possibly a bit too strong (2500) - to increase flow (have to admit I'm not sure what counts as too strong, currently pointed at the side and back to reduce it - which does help but still quite a strong current generated which not all the fish seem to like, currently turned off) - I do have a less powerful one which I'm planning on using, question would be where to situate it!


Tried to represent this as best I could in the attachment... any ideas as to how to place / eliminate the dead spot(s) would be great! 

Thanks,

 

[fluttermoth]

Most tanks are going to have dead spots, unless you're lucky enough to be keeping riverine fish that like very fast flowing water.
 
How often and how large are your water changes and what species of fish do you have?

 

[AvengerUK]

I usually do a partial water charge of ~100 litres almost weekly - roughly 35-40% 
 
Fish range from Angels, Clowns & Gourami's - I know that angels generally don't like fast flowing water, which is why I turned the wave maker off as it was just too much. (Bad purchase there!).
 
Probably worth not fiddling it with then - generally there is only one dead spot to speak of, which tends to be handy for smaller gravel cleaning sessions!
 
Out of interest - how often would you clean a canister filter out? 

 

[fluttermoth]

If you've only got the one dead spot, then that's not too bad; just make sure you use your gravel cleaner at every water change.
 
Cleaning canisters really depends on your stocking. Fairly obviously, if your tank is lightly stocked with small fish, then it won't get too clogged, whereas larger messier fish will produce more solid wastes that need removing more often.
 
Your best bet is to give it a quick rinse through with some old tank water every week when you do your water change. You don't want to leave it too long, or the 'mulm' will clog the fine pores in the media that the bacteria like to colonise.

 

[luca1980]

dead spots aren't necessarily all that bad - if waste is collecting in one area, often this makes it quicker/easier to clean.