Too Much Flow?

[JMcQueen]

As the title says, im concerned that I may have over filtered resulting in a constant current within the tank. The tank is only just starting to cycle (today) so theres plenty of time before panic sets in.

I selected a U4 because the tank will house two dirty Black Moors and I thought the extra filtration would be required. However, even on the lowest flow setting (the middle spray bar option) there seems to be current sufficient to move my Seachem ammonia alert thats stuck to the opposite side of the cash.

Im hoping that as the filter media gets a little clogged and substrate and plants etc get added that it'll settle down a bit.

What do people think? Is a U4 too much?

 

[rdp50734]

I run a U4 and an external on my 120l housing cichlids and they seem fine!

 

[Rafael Dilone]

I cant tell you if a U4 is too much since you did not tell me how many gallons you have. I always run filters larger for my tanks with much success. On the minimum flow rate bacterial colonies grow better and you will have great water conditions when you have larger filters running at low flow rates. Take for example me running an aquaclear 70 on my 10 gallon planted tank set at minimum flow rate. A dense planted tank with a GPH of 100 will have no problem and it is suggested to filtrate 10x the amount of gallons you have with dense planted tanks. So just tell me how many gallons you have and i will be able to help. I am aware that the u4 filters 260 GPH which is a lot on small tanks if you cant adjust that flow. Online it does not tell me what is the minimum flow rate.

 

[JMcQueen]

Sorry. I put the volume in the post title but not the thread. Its a 110L which is about 24UK gal.

 

[ian]

putting the spraybar on will even out the flow.

 

[JMcQueen]

putting the spraybar on will even out the flow.

The spray bar is on but theres still quite a current in the tank.

 

[ian]

what size tank is it?


BTW you could always put some filter floss in to reduce the flow. lol

 

[JMcQueen]

Heres a quick youtube vid. You have to watch it in 380 or more to see the particles flowing and I didnt it with my phone so dont expect any acadamy award winning epic..


http/www.youtube.c...h?v=zIh8SUelPMk

 

[ian]

thats really clear...

to be fair it is letting some flow off isn't it! You could bung the filter with floss though.

 

[JoshuaA]

thats really clear...

to be fair it is letting some flow off isn't it! You could bung the filter with floss though.

That's such a nice camera, just make sure you change the floss frequently

What do you think of the seachem ammonia alert?

 

[JMcQueen]

lol, the camera is the one on my iphone 4. It might drop signal strength every now and again but shooting HD video from a phone still impresses me.

I find the Ammonia alert to be a very useful little tool once you get used to how it reacts and how to read the slight variations in shades. During cycling you get to see all of its colour range and relate that to an actual test reading from the water.

Then once its cycled if you see the slightest change from the perfect yellow you know you've got problems. I use it as an early warning/quick visual check to show if/when further investigation is necessary.

 

[OldMan47]

I run a 40 gallon tank with a Fluval 4+ and find it produces strong but not unacceptable flows in my tank. I think of a tank your size as a 30 gallon and would expect it to show very strong but acceptable flows in that tank too. A lot depends on the fish being supported. A nice goodeid or any of the tetras would probably prosper in the high flows you have while a sedentary fish like a Betta splendens may have some trouble with high flows. Even in high flow tanks, like my endler tank, the slower swimming fish seem to always find a place with flows that suit them. I have a Betta splendens in one of my endler tanks and he just stays out of the main flow path to stay comfortable.

 

[JMcQueen]

Not sure how black moors or goldies in general react to a strong flow

 

[OldMan47]

Fancy goldfish are not especially resilient when it comes to high water flows. I would expect them to hide from the path of highest flows but do fine in your tank.

 

[JMcQueen]

With that in mind, would if be better to switch to the top outlet for surface agitation rather than using the middle spray bar? This might create less turbulence in the middle for them.