Aquanano 40, How To Lower The Filter Flow

[Alexarium]

I am still cycling my tank, which will be the future house (rather "mansion") for a male betta.
 
Bettas don't really like stong water flow. The tank comes with a very strong pump (500L/h) and amazing filtration system but I'm afraid the current will be too much for the betta to handle.
Obviously there are going to be plants and stones and wood in the tank, but I can't rely on the plants to hold the flow back.
This is how the tank will look after I'll add my plants (thank you daizeUK for the drawing).
 

 
 
 
The tank's filter output is shown in the photo below.
 

 
As you can see at the top left of the photo, this creates quite some turbulence at the water and a good (even if not extremely strong) current.
The pump has an adjustable setting for the flow, which is currently set at the lowest possible.

 
I was wondering if somebody has ever faced a similar problem and what they did to solve it.
I've been suggested to do the bottle trick but it is not applicable in my setup.
 
Any ideas?

 

[levahe]

I use an intake strainer from another Filter I have lying around pushed on to the outflow and it works perfectly to reduce the intensity of the flow.(I have the aquanano 30 which has a 400lph flow in a 22l tank)

Some people have made their own spray bar for these tanks and it looks pretty simple to do, i bet that would do the job nicely

 

[Alexarium]

Thanks levahe.
 
Do you have any photos of either solution?

 

[ReddSamurai]

im interested in this too, i have one thats also on the lowest setting but so far the killis dont mind it, but will be useful to know

 

[levahe]

http/db.tt/8DO4chRQ


http/db.tt/ooAeHcEA

Just took a couple of snaps on my phone, this is an intake strainer from another filter just pushed onto the out flow. I also made a hole in the end of the strainer. The Filter I took it from is a marina s15 slim, but I'm not sure if it would fit on yours it might be too small. I recon you could bodge something similar from appropriate sized pipe and drill a load of holes in the side of the pipe.
Sorry I don't have any pics of the diy spray bar

 

[Alexarium]

Thank you for the pics.
 
So, essentially, it is a tube with extra holes drilled, that alters the direction of the flow so as to avoid concentrated... flow.
 
If that's the case, I think that's a brilliant idea. I'll try sort out a way to do the same with a black tube (if I can find one...)
 
Thanks again

 

[levahe]

Yep that's it really,

 

[ReddSamurai]

in essence a spray bar?
like - http/www.ebay.co.uk/bhp/aquarium-spray-bar

 

[levahe]

Yeah if you can find one that fits on the Filter outflow that would be perfect, you might need to drill extra holes in it to reduce the flow a bit though

 

[CrazyDiamond88]

Hey Alexarium, following you here from your other thread.
 
Sorry, the bottle trick wouldn't work with this.
 
I actually just bought this very same tank, and would love to see your solution for the strong filter since I also am going to house my betta in there.

 

[Alexarium]

What I've done so far is to change the cylindrical out flow of the pump with the one that is shaped like a T and has the small out put for the venturi. What I am still looking for (I was actually searching for it this morning but without any luck) is an L shaped (also called "elbow") out flow which would allow me to turn the flow towards the tank wall (the left side wall as you look the tank standing in front of it). I think that would reduce the flow dramatically.
 
If I won't manage to find an out flow like this then I'll be forced to search for a spray bar. Which, again, will require another "elbow"...
 
In case anyone can help, the elbow needs to have an external diameter of 13mm.
I wish I could find one made of aquarium-safe black silicone...

 

[Alexarium]

Oh, and if I don't succeed in that, then I'll probably attach a large sponge on the output with a cable tie.
 
What are your thoughts?

 

[Alexarium]

Can anyone tell if this silicone elbow would be ok for aquarium use?

 

[Tim_UK]

I've used similar silicone fittings on my car and I definitely wouldn't use them near your fishes - they are nothing like pure silicon and had an oily feel to them when I got them !
 
can you not find some pond fittings to do a similar job ?

 

[Alexarium]

Thank you, I was afraid it wouldn't be good...
 
Something like this then?