FILTER CURRENT

[p1ngu]

Hey i was wondering if the filter in a tank has a strong current can it kill the fish ?

Thanks.

 

[mm_simb]

It wont necessarily kill the fish but, depending what type of fish, it can stress them out sometimes.

 

[LuBear]

make sure that none of you're fish are small enough to fit into the mouth of the filter. And also, if you have a weak fish who isn't swimming strong enough, I would take him out until he heals or he might get sucked and wouldn't be able to swim away.

 

[mm_simb]

Actually, to avoid any fish getting stuck in there you can get a new pair of pantyhose and cut the foot part of it and put the intake tube in there and secure it on the top with a rubber band. This would be for an external filter of course. If you think the current is too strong you can also fix that. This link is what I tried and it works great. Here you go: http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=84710

 

[SPLiSH]

Like mm_simb said, various fish prefer various levels of current.

For example, most barbs love a bit of water turbulence to play in, but place a betta in the same situation and it's likely to hide and even become ill or die as a result of the stress.

It all depends on the species and size of tank.

 

[ncjharris]

Thats right,

Some fish start off not liking current, but give it some time and they can become more accustomed to it.

If there is a prob with the current, there are a couple of things you can do - if you can't turn down the flow rate, aim the nozzle along the length of tank or at the wall to give some calmer areas.

There are, somewhere on here, details of how to use a drinks bottle as a damper for this.

 

[fishwatcher]

Will adding this damper (the drink bottle) take too much air out of the tank if there isn't an airstone? I have guppies, neons, cories and frogs. I think the current may be a bit strong for them but I don't want to suffocate them either.

 

[mm_simb]

Will adding this damper (the drink bottle) take too much air out of the tank if there isn't an airstone? I have guppies, neons, cories and frogs. I think the current may be a bit strong for them but I don't want to suffocate them either.

I would actually think it would but I've never kept other tropical fish other than bettas. Hopefully someone else will know.