Increasing The Flow

[minnnt]

Whats the best way of increasing the flow in my tank? I have a Fluval Vicenza 180 litre tank with the external 205 filter. Is there anyway i can make the filter improve the flow? The intake part of it can be moved up or down, but the tube that outputs the water can't. Can't particularly feel any water flow coming from the output tube either. Can this be altered? I have the usual air stone in the tank, but the other side of the tank is as calm as a cucumber.

 

[KittyKat]

Sounds a bit small for the tank.. I can't remember flow rates or volume ratings, but I used to have the 305 on a 215 litre tank and that was about right..

Do you clean the inlet and the filter regularly? Specifically, in my experience, the guard on the inlet (so the fish don't get in, the bit with the ball) and the pre-filter get very clogged in planted tanks so need to be cleaned about once per week. You know to clean filters in old tank water and *not* under the tap?

p.s. just had a look at your other posts, are you sure the outlet can't be moved up? I hear that it is possible...

 

[minnnt]

Cheers Kitty Kat. The 205 filter is what came with the tank from new so i just assumed it was correct?! Maybe i could swap it for the 305? I clean the filter in old tank water. I probably do the filter around once a month. I have never done the pipes though. I have never had a problem with the tank but have read on here that a good way of getting oxygen into the tank is by introducing surface movement (of which i have very little) so just thought i would ask to see if the filter can do anything to help. I have an internal filter in my smaller tank which has a little bung on the top which can make the top outlet blow air into the tank which creates surface movement so just wondered if the external ones have anything of the sort?

Cheers.

 

[Bignose]

The flow rate will be limited by the size of the electric drive and motor and impeller. There isn't a whole lot that can be done for a given size pump. Reduce the number of bends in the intake and outflow pipes and keep it clear of the stuff that will grow in there is just about all you can do. If you need significantly more flow, you will have to go to a larger pump.

 

[KittyKat]

The 205 filter is what came with the tank from new so i just assumed it was correct?! Maybe i could swap it for the 305?

That depends on what stocking you want, etc..

I clean the filter in old tank water. I probably do the filter around once a month. I have never done the pipes though.

Definitely worth having a go at the inlet guard, as I say.. mine was full of plant leaves about once per week to a point where it affected the flow quite a lot.

I have never had a problem with the tank but have read on here that a good way of getting oxygen into the tank is by introducing surface movement (of which i have very little) so just thought i would ask to see if the filter can do anything to help. I have an internal filter in my smaller tank which has a little bung on the top which can make the top outlet blow air into the tank which creates surface movement so just wondered if the external ones have anything of the sort?

Best surface movement is achieved by having the outlet at about 1 cm below the surface, I have actually found the bung things to be a bit of a gimmick as they don't seem to have much effect on a well positioned filter. It may be worth asking Hagen directly if they can advise you on how you can raise yours?

Can you post a photo of your tank?

 

[minnnt]

The 205 filter is what came with the tank from new so i just assumed it was correct?! Maybe i could swap it for the 305?

That depends on what stocking you want, etc..

I clean the filter in old tank water. I probably do the filter around once a month. I have never done the pipes though.

Definitely worth having a go at the inlet guard, as I say.. mine was full of plant leaves about once per week to a point where it affected the flow quite a lot.

I have never had a problem with the tank but have read on here that a good way of getting oxygen into the tank is by introducing surface movement (of which i have very little) so just thought i would ask to see if the filter can do anything to help. I have an internal filter in my smaller tank which has a little bung on the top which can make the top outlet blow air into the tank which creates surface movement so just wondered if the external ones have anything of the sort?

Best surface movement is achieved by having the outlet at about 1 cm below the surface, I have actually found the bung things to be a bit of a gimmick as they don't seem to have much effect on a well positioned filter. It may be worth asking Hagen directly if they can advise you on how you can raise yours?

Can you post a photo of your tank?

Will get a picture asap for you. Thanks for the help.

 

[minnnt]

Here you go...

 

[KittyKat]

Rift Lake cichlids with South Americans?

Yep, that outlet needs to go up by about two inches for surface movement.. I'll talk to a friend of mine who has the same outlet and will see if he can stream or record a video for you of how to move it up and down.

p.s. a black background would look quite nice on the tank and would bring out the colour of the fish

 

[minnnt]

Rift Lake cichlids with South Americans?

Yep, that outlet needs to go up by about two inches for surface movement.. I'll talk to a friend of mine who has the same outlet and will see if he can stream or record a video for you of how to move it up and down.

p.s. a black background would look quite nice on the tank and would bring out the colour of the fish

Yes i know, lol! I need to sort the tanks out. I have been very naive and unfair to my fish. It is something i am looking into more and more and realising the errors of my ways. I need to rehome a few of my fish i think. I have a 180 litre tank and a 125 litre. I need to decide which fish to put in which tank and what setup to have in each.

When you say outlet, which one are you talking about? The 'shorter' one on the right is where the water comes back into the tank from the filter and is the one i can't get to move. The one on the left is what sucks the water out of the tank and into the filter. Are these connected the wrong way around?


Thanks. David.

 

[KittyKat]

Yep, you've got them the wrong way round Swap and you'll probably see a great improvement! The right is the inlet -> water into the filter and the left is the outlet -> water out of the filter.

 

[minnnt]

Right, 2 hours later... I have them the right way around and the fairies have been moved to the other tank in exchange for my big angel. So the tank has changed YET AGAIN but i like it this time so hopefully it will be staying like this. Need to alter the smaller tank now to accomodate the needs of the fairies.

The air flow is loads better! I can actually see the surface of the water moving now!! Thanks KK, really appreciate all your help.