Fluval Filter too strong?

[pcam86]

Hi, I've just added some fish to my new tank : 5 neons and 2 platys. I've noticed that the filter seemed to be pushing them around a little and they were all swimming against it so i've moved the water outlet nozzle over so it just hits the side of the tank more instead of making the water circle the tank as much and now it's not AS powerful but i'm still not sure if this is ok. I know it may be a bit of a stupid question but i just thought i'd ask.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Hi and welcome to TFF
Your filter current is fine and your fish are probably enjoying the current; unless its the smaller version of the fluval filters there should be a switch to turn down of up the power of the current.

 

[webcat5]

What size tank do you have and what size is the fluval?

 

[pcam86]

yeah well it's a 2 foot long tank and i got the fluval 2 plus filter with it. The current isn't flowing fast around the tank now because i've got it aimed at the top of my heater now so it's breaking on there instead of giving the swirling effect. The tank is still filled with tiny bubbles in the water though so i'm guessing all is still fine. (well i hope so anyway...)

 

[webcat5]

The Fluval 2+ Has a flow adjuster on it, it is located between the two hoses on the top of the container. Should be able to regulate the flow with that. Not a good idea to have the water flowing right onto the heater though.

 

[pcam86]

Ok here's a pic of part of my tank. It's not that clear but you should be able to make out the fluval filter on the left and the heater on the right. Is it ok like this?

 

[webcat5]

Is the blue lever on the canister a flow valve? I can not realy tell how far away the outlet is from the heater, but you have to be carful of water splashing onto the top of the heater.

Yesterday on the news an aquarium caused a fire because the heater shorted out, but when the tank broke from the heat, the water put out the fire.

 

[pcam86]

yeah the blue thing is the flow valve but it's at/ near it's lowest setting right now.

I thought those heaters could be put under the water? i kept the very top out of the water just incase.

 

[webcat5]

I think that the writing on the heater might have a water level indicator although I can not see it to read it.

 

[Ferris]

Yeah your filter is in a good position. The little blue slider just above the middle of the filter adjusts the power of the flow. Push it all the way to the right for max flow and all the wat to the left for min flow. I have mine to max usually but play around with until you get it how you want it.

 

[ninjaginger]

I've got the fluval duo deep 600 which comes with the fluval 2 plus and the heater.

Did you get the same? If so then your heater is fully submersable as is your filter according to the paperwork they came with. The water mark on the heater is probably indicating the minimum submersion for the heater like on mine so the heater glass doesn't crack.

Just try experimenting with the current using the blue lever, as long as the water is circling through out the whole tank it'll be fine.

I've aimed my filter to just pass by the heater rather than to break on it. Don't know why, i've convinced myself its to let the water heat up before its moved around the tank.

NG X

 

[pcam86]

yeah i've got the same tank as you. What fish do you have in there?

One thing i had trouble with yesterday was that being as i kept the light on for quite a while it raised the temperature up to 27 degrees so i gotta see if i've got it working better now because right now its on 25 degrees so i'm not sure if it'll be ok when i trun the light off and go to bed.

 

[guppy_man]

yes same here i bought the same tank with the same equiptment for £135
and i had the same trouble my pump is in the exact same place as youve got it and ive aimed it at the glass but my heater is opposite the filter,
but my fish love the slow water especially my dwarf gouramis they swin into the flow and then swin against it its quite good 2 watch they do it about 5 times and then have a rest have some food and then have some more goes ive tried turning the filter on full but its 2 fast for them so i turned it back down but if i was you i would move the heater away from the filter.

if you do so your tank will be a bit better.

and o ye the heater doesnt have to be submurged under water i think its easier to adjust the temp when needed if the heater nozel is above water level

 

[pcam86]

ok thanks, P.S does it really make much of a difference if my filter is now submerged more under water and isn't producing as many bubbles now? It's just that since i've added new fish the extra water from the bags has gone over the air attachment for the filter. Does it matter?

 

[ninjaginger]

i don't know if it matters. but you could always attach a small tube from the suction nozzel on the top and connect it to the top of your tank to get bubbles. that's what i did. i thought it looked better.
but i don't know if it makes any difference. would be interested to know too.