Flowbars

[Grrrrrowler]

Hi All,
First of all I want to say what a great site! I am relatively new to the tropical fish world but find this site so useful.

I have a 25" Tropical freshwater tank which came with a Fluval Plus 2 filter.

2 questions really:

1. I have seen a flowbar at my LFS - is this a good investment? Will it help the fish?
Also should the flowbar be submerged or shower the water onto the surface?

2. Initially I overfed my fish but now feed once a day or once every other day as recommended - as a result of this I have the filter on max output all the time to keep the tank nice and clean - is this good or not?
The water is crystal clear and all of my readings seem fine. Fish are healthy happy and active.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

 

[thecichlidaddict]

If it ain't broke...

 

[crazie.eddie]

How many gallons is your tank? What type of fish do you have?

The flowbar is nice becuase it causes alot of water movement on a bigger surface area. The more movement on a larger surface area, the better your water will be well oxygenated. If youre filter is larger that what your tank is (example. you have a 20 gallon tank and your filter is for a 50 gallon), then it's not necessary. Using a spraybar also will help prevent against protein buildup on the surface, which normally occurrs when the water is very still. This buildup is NOT dangerous, just unsightly.

Having the maxoutput will not be a problem, UNLESS you have fish that do not like current, such as a betta.

 

[Adrinal]

crazie is right on...
as far as pointing depends how bad the surface scum is and or how much surface movement you need. a nice ripple on top is fine. If you make it come crashing down onto the top, even better if you can stand the sound. (makes a nice water fall sound if you do this not like the #$%^ over flows on SW tanks !!!)



IMO you can't over filter and I have no problem putting a 200g rated filter on a 10g tank. It is very easy to control water dispersal with decoration. I had my Eheim 2229 and my penguin 170 on a 10g tank for a few days and the fish were not bothered at all.

 

[Grrrrrowler]

Thanks for your replies guys.
Have just cleaned my glass and have to say the tank looks so crystal clear - i think i will leave it be - fish seem happy and it is as clean as it can be so will leave them in peace!!

Thanks again...