Understanding The Flow

[Sick Boy]

Hi there evvery one, I resantly had a problem with my fish geeting stuck to the intake flow pipe of my filtration system I then went to the pet store where I bought the tank and I saw she had done some thing differntly in her set up to mine that help resolve this problem, it has worked but I stil;l dont understadn why and was wondering if some one could shed some light on this issure for me below is a pic I just draw to show the set up I will explain more below the pic

[img=http/img509.imageshack.us/img509/9476/fishtanklo9.th.png]

Ok at the bottom of the tank is the sloted cup that the fish got stuck too, at the top of the pump there is a clear blue tube leading out of the water with a clamp. I never had that tube or clamp with my first set up, I then added it and it also has a screw tyre valve that id opened more there is more water adn air flowing out the out let at the top of the pump, but once I added this clear tube and clamped it the fish no longer get stuck, I am happy this this has worked but I dont understandd how it has helped in any one could explain I would be most thankfill

Best Regards
SB

Hi there evvery one, I resantly had a problem with my fish geeting stuck to the intake flow pipe of my filtration system I then went to the pet store where I bought the tank and I saw she had done some thing differntly in her set up to mine that help resolve this problem, it has worked but I stil;l dont understadn why and was wondering if some one could shed some light on this issure for me below is a pic I just draw to show the set up I will explain more below the pic

[img=http/img509.imageshack.us/img509/9476/fishtanklo9.th.png]


Ok at the bottom of the tank is the sloted cup that the fish got stuck too, at the top of the pump there is a clear blue tube leading out of the water with a clamp. I never had that tube or clamp with my first set up, I then added it and it also has a screw tyre valve that id opened more there is more water adn air flowing out the out let at the top of the pump, but once I added this clear tube and clamped it the fish no longer get stuck, I am happy this this has worked but I dont understandd how it has helped in any one could explain I would be most thankfill

Best Regards
SB

 

[xxBarneyxx]

Welcome to the forums. From what I can gather you have added a tube and a clamp to the output of your pump? If so you are restricting the water flow from your pump with the clamp which means its not pulling up as much water and therefore there isnt as much suction.

It must be one hell of a pump for your fish to get pulled into it though!

 

[OldMan47]

A better way to keep fish from getting stuck in the pump suction is to put a filter sponge over the inlet end. You get any typical filter sponge made for an aquarium filter and cut a slit in it that doesn't go all the way through. Next you push the inlet tube down inside the sponge so that all the water needs to go through the sponge to get to the filter tube. Once you have done that, the high flows from the filter will be spread over a larger area so it won't pull as hard on fish and they won't get stuck. I use one made for an AquaClear70 but any filter sponge will work.
Raw sponge laying on my desk

Identical type sponge in place

Very small fish swimming right next to the sponge.

The fish is a Heterandria Formosa which is one of the smallest livebearers known. The adult males, which this one is, never get a full inch long.