Very Strange Behaviour

[freddiesfish]

We have a rena 300l tank with the xp2 filter. Yesterday I added a jbl e1500 external filter which has added a lot more movement/flow in the tank. Which I believed to be a good idea for our 6 torpedo barbs. We also have 2 dwarf rainbows, 3 black spot (mascara?) barbs, 1 bull nose plec, 3 albino cories, a rainbow shark and a couple of apistos (cuckatoo) and 8 cardinals. They all seem fine with the extra movement but tonight the black spot barbs have started patrolling the tank (almost hunting down) and attacking the 2 dwarf rainbows. We have had these fish together for about 9 months and those 5 always seem to swim/shoal together with no problems but for some reason the 3 barbs are terrorising the rainbows and sometimes the others as well. Seriously its like watching great whites or something. Why the sudden change in behaviour? Could it be due to the increased flow in the tank?

On a side note is there any problem having this much filtration on a tank? We have both intake pipes at the same end of the tank, is that the best way?

Thanks in advance

 

[tom_os]

im guessing all your old filter media was moved over into the new filter?

 

[WILDER]

Can you turn the flow down.
He might be stressed so attacking other fish.
Does the fish look pale, do his fins look clamped.

 

[freddiesfish]

The new filter was added, the old one is running as well.

No, they dont seem pale how do you mean "fins clamped"? They look normal but I'm not too sure what i'm looking for.

 

[WILDER]

When the fins look clamped to there bodies.
Can you lower the flow on your filter.

 

[freddiesfish]

No the fins seem fine, I can turn the flow down, that wont harm the filter will it? I would rather remove one than risk them burning out?

One has a spray bar and the other has the jet nozzle, would it make any difference do you think if I were to aim the spraybar straight down?

Oh and thanks for the replies so far

 

[WILDER]

He might settle down when he gets used to the extra flow in the tank.
As long as the fish are not being blown around the tank.

Can you turn the jet nozzle down.

 

[oswoldy]

No the fins seem fine, I can turn the flow down, that wont harm the filter will it? I would rather remove one than risk them burning out?

One has a spray bar and the other has the jet nozzle, would it make any difference do you think if I were to aim the spraybar straight down?

Oh and thanks for the replies so far

Try pointing the nozzle at the glass a little that should reduce the flow a little. Do you have the two flows facing each other?

Mike

 

[freddiesfish]

No the fins seem fine, I can turn the flow down, that wont harm the filter will it? I would rather remove one than risk them burning out?

One has a spray bar and the other has the jet nozzle, would it make any difference do you think if I were to aim the spraybar straight down?

Oh and thanks for the replies so far

Try pointing the nozzle at the glass a little that should reduce the flow a little. Do you have the two flows facing each other?

Mike

The 2 intakes are at one end and the spray bar and nozzle are at the opposite end. Do you mean aim the spray bar at the glass at the front of tank (as it is) or behind itself to the back wall? Sorry if its a lot of questions but I really want the tank to run as near to perfect as possible, I wanted the extra filtration to keep the algae down and the water clear but not so much as the flow stresses the smaller fish,

Thanks again

 

[oswoldy]

You can if you want reverse the spray bar so it points towards the wall it is attached to. However I would point one of the nozzles at a wall.

How long have you had it in the tank for?

Mike

 

[freddiesfish]

I added it yesterday but have been messing about with it to try and get it right, As well as the spray bar there was a bell type nozzle that fans the water out but that did create quite a current so I opted for the spray bar, although in the manual it says the spray bar can be bad for plants? something to do with CO2?

 

[oswoldy]

I added it yesterday but have been messing about with it to try and get it right, As well as the spray bar there was a bell type nozzle that fans the water out but that did create quite a current so I opted for the spray bar, although in the manual it says the spray bar can be bad for plants? something to do with CO2?

I would personally give it a few days to allow the fish to settle and if they are still not settled in two or three days then move it.

Mike

 

[freddiesfish]

Thanks for all the replies.

I aimed the nozzle at the side of the tank and turned half the spray bar round and down so it aims at the back wall, the other half rippling the top and normal service has resumed. Maybe it was just coincedence but those barbs definatley turned into jaws for 20 minutes!

 

[TheBigEasy]

my best guess is that now with a current, they are more inclined to move around the tank and maybe their territory has grown because of the current.