Overly Strong Filter Suction

[Mozart]

At Christmas, I was very happy to be presented with a Fluval edge. I duly did the fishless cycling thing for about two weeks and then introduced 5 tetra neons last Saturday. I lost one on Tuesday and another today Thursday,.....I thought that they had been consumed by their mates or sucked up into the pump. On close inspection I found the two corpses stuck in the intake pipe to the pump. The regulator is adjusted to minimum flow but still these two little nippers got pulled in and couldn't get away again. How to deal with this ?....also should one switch off lamps at night ? ....Feed once or twice per day ?

 

[fatheadminnow]

First off, to TFF.

I believe the reason these fish died is not because of the filter, but the lack of fully cycled a tank.

Cycling a tank is very important, especially for the first time as it makes the tank safe for fish. On average it takes 4-6 weeks to properly cycle a tank.

Also, Neon Tetras NEED a well established tank to live in, one that has been up and running for at least 6 months. A tank that has been running for 6+ months is going to be very well established and is not prone to ammonia or nitrite fluctuations.

What kind of test kit do you have, and can you explain how you cycled your tank?

What are your current water stats? Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate and pH?

Since the tank was not fully cycled, I would say the Neon's died because of either high levels of Ammonia and/or Nitrite. Then their dead bodies floated toward and got stuck on the intake of your filter. These filters do not suck that hard, and it is VERY un likely to have a healthy fish get stuck on an intake to a filter. These filters are designed and made with that thought in mind.

So, the neon most likely died from the lack of a fully cycled/established tank.

Ammonia and nitrite do not have to be high to kill a fish. If either ammonia and/or nitrite reach levels of .25 ppm or higher (which is nothing) fish can be killed as ammonia causes permanent gill damage and nitrite cause permanent nerve damage.

-FHM

 

[Shelby]

I'm not sure what to do about it but I used to have 6 neon tetras the little blue and red ones.. all 6.. death by filter intake

 

[bitteraspects]

Most likely it was not the filter intake. 9 times out of 10 the fish are dead or sick before they get stuck to the filter. I am sure that's what happened in your tank.

The problem is that your tank was not cycled. it takes 4-6 weeks to properly do a fishless cycle. Considering you waited only 2, I'd net that's th culprit.

Have you tested your water?

I have had neons in a smaller tank with a much larger filter, and no such "death by filter". If they are healthy, they can easily stay off th filter intake.

 

[Shelby]

Well I can't guarantee what killed mine. All I know is that 6 of them were swimming around just fine when I went to bed. And then ... gone

 

[craigieboy01]

Well I can't guarantee what killed mine. All I know is that 6 of them were swimming around just fine when I went to bed. And then ... gone

Hi, I have a Fluval Edge tank too and I'm currently in a fishless cycle 5 weeks in ang going very slow. The filter in these tanks are very strong even when turned down, you need to buy the filter intake sponge guard, it stops small fish being sucked in your intake, they are made specially for the Edge because of its size and the need for small fish. hope this helps. Craig