Is my filter just moving the top layers of water?

M

mr_chris

Registered Member
Aug 30, 2006
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Omaha, Nebraska
I am in the process of setting up a 75 gallon tank for an African Cichlid environment.

I have a wet/dry trickle filter that returns water via a Rio 1700 pump in the sump. The overflow box at the opposite end of the tank siphons water through a prefilter sponge and returns it to the sump (I've removed the .

It took nearly two days for the murkiness of the tank to dissipate, and now I can see clearly inside.

My question is this - how can I tell if the filter system is filtering ALL of the water, and not just the top layers?

I've been wondering about installing a powerhead or two, or maybe constructing an under-gravel jet system to stir things about at the lower level of the tank, but I'm not sure that's what to do.
 
well it kinda depends where the intake for the water is inside the tank, but really if the flow from the filter return is strong enough all of the water will mix together eventually. a powerhead will help out especially in a 75 g. because theres so much surface area. im not really sure if you are talking about an undergravel filter but i wouldnt recommend them.
 
I would say to add a powerhead to the tank. This will ensure that there are no dead spots in the tank. This in itself will assure that the water is all getting filtered.
 
yeah definately add a powerhead to the tank ... You can even attach a water polisher to it to help the mechanical filtration =)

However in regards to deadspots you just have to be attentive ... Fish will avoid sections of the tank that are dead spots and when you add food you can see the current by how the food travels..

in my 77 gallon if fish dont get to the food it goes all over the tank and takes quite a while to settle down.

I have rainbows though so theres plenty of current.
 
If your overflow and return are at opposite ends of the tank you should be fine. You can add a power head to put your mind at easy, but it isn't necessary.
 
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