Too Much Filtration?

[AngKat]

Hi,

I have a 54 litre tank with a Fluval U3 (long boring story why I have this). I'm wondering if this is too strong a filter for my size tank? I'm not sure if my fish are swimming normally as I'm not sure how they are meant to swim. Sometimes they look like they are being pulled towards the filter, but then, if they're right next to the filter, they seem fine. I also have a bubble disc in the middle and was wondering if that might be the cause?

I currently have the water coming out down the middle of the filter as the top and bottom outputs seemed quite strong. If the fish swim in front of the output, they do get thrown back. Should I maybe down grade to a U2 or am I going to have the same issue?

I currently have in there:

5 male guppies
1 black molly
1 dalmatian balloon molly
1 dwarf gourami
1 male betta

Do my stocking levels seem ok? Was wondering if I could add any more and would love suggestions.

 

[Fishy friend2]

take the gourami and the Betta out as they are not compatible together and with your stocking, and I don't think that there is too much filteration

 

[PyroBrit]

I have the same filter and use just the top output in my 65L tank. I keep fancy goldfish and the middle output would annoy them.

My top output is just below the water level and angled to push towards the rear glass with the filter mounted on the end glass.

I think you can never have too much filter but flow does need to be worked upon.

 

[AngKat]

Thank you for your replies. The filter was originally bought for an oranda which is why it's so big. I had the filter with the top output on facing the glass but I could still see the ripples on the top of the water across the whole tank. They seem to do better with it down the middle facing the glass.

The dwarf gourami is new today. The betta seems to get on fine with all the fish but I've been watching it today and it flares whenever the gourami is near, the gourami ignores it. Will call my lfs tomorrow, who told me they were fine together, to see if I can return it. I've no way of separating them till then though.

 

[laura120381]

your filter should be fine. you can't really overfilter. very rarely do fish get sucked into filters. normally if they do they were dead before. i have a 80l tank and i have a U3 and an APS 600l p/h filter. i think yours is fine. i would try to rehome the gourami though. hopefully the lfs will take it back or swap it for something else.

as an aside, there have been reports of fish getting stuck behind the U3 filter (in the space between the glass and the filter). if your fish have a habit of swimming around here and you think they may get stuck, place a piece of sponge behind the filter to avoid them getting trapped!

L

 

[minnnt]

Quality LFS then... Betta's are not compatible with other Anabantoids such as Gourami's. It would probably end in death of either the Gourami or Betta.

As for filtration... over filtration is something i am a firm believer of. As PyroBit said though, it's flow that is the issue. I think the U2 would have been a better selection for this sized tank with the stock you have.

 

[AngKat]

Thanks Laura and minnnt. They do love swimming behind the filter but at the moment are too small to get stuck. Will keep an eye on them though. Also, I took out the carbon pads and replaced with some more sponge. They weren't fluval sponges though and are a little thicker and I had to squidge them in a bit. Do you think that was a good idea?

 

[laura120381]

yeah that should be ok. as long as the water can flow through it easily it should be fine.

 

[AngKat]

How do I know if it's flowing through ok? Sorry if thats a stupid question!

 

[minnnt]

yeah that should be ok. as long as the water can flow through it easily it should be fine.

Will be fine. I never bother with removing the carbon though. Don't know why.

 

[AngKat]

Thanks for the advice, you guys are great! Do you think the betta will be ok in a little 14L tank with no filter or heater? My sister has an empty one and I'm getting worried as the betta is now chasing the gourami around the whole tank.

 

[laura120381]

mmmm...i normally take it out..and i don't know why!!

AngKat there are no silly questions on here!! I was in stitches a few weeks ago with someone who reckoned they had an egg in their tank and it was a bit of gravel!! basically, if your filter wasn't working properly you would know!! it would be coughing and spluttering and making one heck of a racket!! its all good. the sponges you added will be fine. whether or not you should keep the carbon in is personal choice and as you can see some of us do, some don't and generally have no idea why!!!

L

 

[AngKat]

Lol! I read somewhere that the carbon should be taken out unless you're removing medication. As fot my betta/gourami situation, I'm thinking of a tupperware lid or chopping board in the middle? Worried about soap residue now!!

 

[laura120381]

wouldn't put anything in there that has been used for any purpose other than fish!! is your tank planted? if so you could try and create a curtain of plants between them. i reckon they should be ok until tomorrow, especially when the lights go off!

L

 

[Mowbz]

Lol! I read somewhere that the carbon should be taken out unless you're removing medication.

It doesnt really matter. For the first few days it will do "its job" in terms of removing tannins and meds from the water, after a few days, it loses its ability to do so, and will just end up providing a good base for biological filtration, providing its one of the last bits of media the water flows through.

The only instance i have heard it cause a problem, is inducing HITH Disease in Cichlids,(and its only a possible cause, nothing has been confirmed) which you dont have