So this morning I woke up to notice one of my fish was missing in the tank. I looked all around the tank for it and couldn't find it. Then checked the filter to see the fish had been sucked up on it and was stuck on the filter foam. Unfortunately I thought the fish had died but soon enough it moved on the foam and I put it back in the water immediately. The fish seems okay just a little isolated right now. My question is, is this a a common problem? I heard different reasons to why this could happen but I want to make sure it doesn't happen again. I heard sometimes fish get into mischief and sometimes the filter is too strong so I turned the filter down now. Im sure this is not a common problem but does it happen? Hopefully my fish will make it. What do you guys think?
Fish sucked up into power filter????
- Thread starter FiShNoObIe88
- Start date
You need a filter strainer or a prefilter sponge- It will keep the fish from getting sucked into the intake. Fish should make it if you got to him in time, and the isolation is probobly just recovering from the stress of being trapt, and the exaustion from struggling.
yeh thats what im hoping thanks for quick response. I was concerned especially since I was at work all day and haven't been monitoring the fish until now. Where do I buy pre filter sponge or a filter strainer. Will that effect the cycle of my tank? and will it effect other things like food and waste with that on?
i lost a kuhli loach that way! i have no idea how he made it through the strainer but i've since learned and put a sponge in there.
You put the sponge on the filter inlet tube- Check petsmart if you have one near you- Mine just started carrying prefilter sponges for the Fluval Edge but you can use it on just about any intake, so long as you can force the tube in the hole.
It will not effect your cycle- it will actually give you MORE surface area on which to grow the good bacteria you need. It will however slow your water flow a bit but it should be alright- since you have an aquaclear you can just turn it up to counter that. As far as food and waste- yes it will collect it, yes it will turn to crud- but when you do your water changes just pull the sponge off, and clean it in decloranated water (old tank water is just fine).
It will not effect your cycle- it will actually give you MORE surface area on which to grow the good bacteria you need. It will however slow your water flow a bit but it should be alright- since you have an aquaclear you can just turn it up to counter that. As far as food and waste- yes it will collect it, yes it will turn to crud- but when you do your water changes just pull the sponge off, and clean it in decloranated water (old tank water is just fine).
It is highly doubtful that the filter power is at fault. The most likely scenario is that the fish is weakened from tankmate aggression or illness. I have guppy fry that have no problem avoiding the intake power of an AC500 or an AC70. I don't run foam on my intakes. Even my RCS have no problems with an AC70 intake draw.
Since they are fry, then by all means use a foam cover. I don't and have never found fry inside the filter but have heard of others having the problem you describe.