Slowing Flow Of Hob Filter

[JustFrozen]

I just got a new HOB filter for my new tank, and I don't like filling the water all the way up, so the waterfall is a bit noisy. I'd like to DIY a guard or sponge to slow the flow of water to the surface, but I'm worried the fish won't get enough air. I've done some searching on the topic and I hear as long as you have some ripples or other surface disturbance you'll be ok, but I'm still a bit worried that it wont be enough.

Should I be modifying it in a way that it's completely obvious that the surface of the water is significantly moving, or what level of movement is acceptable, assuming an eventual full stocking of fish?

Tank dimensions are 36"lx10"wx16"h so there's quite a bit of surface area with the filter in the center back

 

[kelly528]

Oh man-- how could you stand that sound?! I ripped my tetra whisper hob apart in the middle of the night last night because it was making some godawful trickling sound... You could baffle it DIY- style with a water bottle I suppose, but i don't see why you don't just top the tank up...

 

[fatheadminnow]

As long as there is some surface agitation you should be just fine. Do you also have an aerator at all? This will help in surface movement as well.

-FHM

 

[timbruun]

I guess you'll know for sure if the fish start coming to the surface for air. But that's not good.

I tried putting some screen mesh over the intake of my ac110 one time to protect the smaller fish. didn't take long for it to get a bit plugged and starve the motor. So if you are going to do something do it to the output but in a way that if it screws up you won't have water all over the floor.

i agree with kelly though. I keep all my tanks topped up.

 

[JustFrozen]

yeah the sound drives me nuts. it's in my bedroom (on my computer desk of all places) a few feet away from where i sleep and its all i can think about when i'm trying to rest.

i think the paranoia of the computers being so near is what is making me not want to top it off, and for now i don't have a choice about the location (going to get a proper stand somewhere down the road)

i was indeed considering using a water bottle, but i'm worried about it, and no, i dont have an aerator. i just figured most people dont

 

[waterdrop]

In my opinion as long as you are -moving- the surface water, it doesn't need to have its surface breaking a making noise. As far as aerators go, I'd be worried that would make more noise than the filter outlet that we're trying to quiet down!

~~waterdrop~~

 

[timbruun]

If it's on your desk near your computer just make sure it can handle the weight and make sure you have a lid. Shouldn't be any problems. Unless the tank is falling apart at the seams. Which should be easy enough to see.

 

[JustFrozen]

that's an excellent concern. i appreciate you bringing that up because it could have been a disaster if i wasnt careful.

my father and I custom built the desk a long time ago, and we're sure it can hold at least double the weight that i'm putting on it. the bottom supports are adjustable and i've put them together more than i normally do so the tank has as much support as possible. it's an acrylic tank btw.

hopefully i'm okay in the support department, i cant imagine the agony i'd go through if it busted, and trust me i've worried plenty about it.

but the real reason i was worried is just from splashes during maintenance, which i'm guessing would be more likely to go over if it was all the way full (also the room is carpeted, so the less water out of the tank, the better)

another thing i've been wondering: it seems many people have power strips behind their setups considering all the things that need to be plugged in. i've read some people guard them, probably for the splash scenario i'm worried about. as u can imagine, with multiple computers and a tank all on one desk, i've definitely got a power strip somewhere behind the tank - i guess i should do something about that too?

thanks for the advice everyone, i just picked up my ammonia today so i'm going to start cycling (yay) but i've been stressing about the setup quite a bit

 

[timbruun]

I wouldn't worry about it too much. I've got my 2 tanks, a 55gal and a 90gal, in my living room on carpet flooring. I just lay down a towel when I do maintenance because I know something will come out of my python when i set it down. Otherwise I've never had a mess.

The tank doesn't have to be completely full. Just up to the output of the HOB filter. Which usually is down in the tank a bit.