Water Current

[cindyterry33]

I have a 55g tank with 4 large Orandas. I've had these fish for about 6 years. The water parameters:
Amonia 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrates: 20
PH 8.0
Tetra Whisper EX 45 HOB filter
Canister filter rated for 75 gal tank. (Rena Filstar XP2)
The goldfish are hiding inside of a large log and don't come out except to eat. Is the water current too strong? There is quite a bit of current but if I turn the filters down the water isn't as clean.
The fish don't appear to have any disease on them and the tank has been set up for about 2months. I fed them seaweed from the pet store right before this started. I just put the canister filter in the tank this weekend. I do partial water changes once a week at 30%. If the water current is too strong - any suggestions on using these filters and slowing water movement down?

 

[Curiosity101]

If they aren't used to such strong currents then if you can alter the speed on the external, turn it down.
Over the next couple of weeks just turn it up a little every few days.
They will get used to it eventually.

I had the exact same situation in my tropical tank. My fish were hiding from the current at first. So I put it on min and slowly increased it over a few weeks.
They don't even notice the currents anymore.

 

[cindyterry33]

If they aren't used to such strong currents then if you can alter the speed on the external, turn it down.
Over the next couple of weeks just turn it up a little every few days.
They will get used to it eventually.

I had the exact same situation in my tropical tank. My fish were hiding from the current at first. So I put it on min and slowly increased it over a few weeks.
They don't even notice the currents anymore.

Thanks, will it keep the water clean enough though? I haven't figured out how to cut the flow down on the external.

 

[Curiosity101]

You may have more pysical fish waste in the tank, but even slowed down the filter should hopefully keep any ammonia or nitrite levels at 0.
Just set the filter to minimum (once you've worked out how to do it.) and test the water the next day.
If Ammonia + Nitrites are at 0 then you'll be fine.

 

[Shudahadgillz]

In addition to flow rate in the aquarium, what might be the water temp? Also, are you using any kind of upgraded lighting (t5, etc..) stonger lights tend to produce more heat which could bother cold water fish making them seek shelter in lower water. They may stay stationary to avoid using to much energy and in return keeping cool. This could also happen with a standard fixuture if left on for extended periods of time.

If your temperature is good then also concider that there is a chance something may have "spooked them". I have observed in an older tank of mine which consited of 5 commons and 4 comets this same situation. They hid for a period of days to almost two weeks. Turned out my nephew startled them some days before and they just continued to hide and be listless for sometime.

Either way hope that might have helped some, good luck!

 

[cindyterry33]

In addition to flow rate in the aquarium, what might be the water temp? Also, are you using any kind of upgraded lighting (t5, etc..) stonger lights tend to produce more heat which could bother cold water fish making them seek shelter in lower water. They may stay stationary to avoid using to much energy and in return keeping cool. This could also happen with a standard fixuture if left on for extended periods of time.

If your temperature is good then also concider that there is a chance something may have "spooked them". I have observed in an older tank of mine which consited of 5 commons and 4 comets this same situation. They hid for a period of days to almost two weeks. Turned out my nephew startled them some days before and they just continued to hide and be listless for sometime.

Either way hope that might have helped some, good luck!

Last night I used the water current killer and they all came out of hiding within about five minutes and were all eating normally again. So I guess it was the water current being too strong. The water temp stays between 68 and 70. I like my house very cold in the summer.

 

[Shudahadgillz]

In addition to flow rate in the aquarium, what might be the water temp? Also, are you using any kind of upgraded lighting (t5, etc..) stonger lights tend to produce more heat which could bother cold water fish making them seek shelter in lower water. They may stay stationary to avoid using to much energy and in return keeping cool. This could also happen with a standard fixuture if left on for extended periods of time.

If your temperature is good then also concider that there is a chance something may have "spooked them". I have observed in an older tank of mine which consited of 5 commons and 4 comets this same situation. They hid for a period of days to almost two weeks. Turned out my nephew startled them some days before and they just continued to hide and be listless for sometime.

Either way hope that might have helped some, good luck!

Last night I used the water current killer and they all came out of hiding within about five minutes and were all eating normally again. So I guess it was the water current being too strong. The water temp stays between 68 and 70. I like my house very cold in the summer.

Great! I'm glad to hear that was the solution for your fishies "fishy" behavior! Have you tested the water levels after making the change though? Did your water quality change at all?