Fluval 405

plecoman

AC Members
Dec 30, 2009
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Columbia, TN.
I've just bought a fluval 405 canister. If I set it up according to directions the outflow tube is a few inches under water. Will this create enough oxygen for my fish or will I have to add something else to churn up the surface water. Will my fish be ok with the fluval 405 running, as instructed, by itself?
 
Aeration happens when the surface is aggitated, the more agitation, the more oxygen. Whether or not it is enough depends on alot of factors you have not provided. Stocking levels, other sources of air, tank temperatures, plants or no plants all come into play. But, typically, the higher up you bring the output nozzle, the more agitation and thus the more air gets into the water. If your looking for maximum amount of air inputted by only your fluval, your best bet is with a spray bar just above surface level of the water.
 
Thanks for the info! I was planning on have around 150 pleco's in the 75 and allow them to grow into adults. So stocking will be heavy. The water temp will be around 78%. I was not planning to have many plants. Maybe some java fern's and some wisteria's. I will also vacuum the gravel about two times a week. Do you think I should add more air supply? This is my first canister, so I'm still learning.
 
Gas exchange happens mostly at the surface of the tank(this is where most of the water is exposed to air.)
the gases in the water will try to reach equilibrium and gas exchange occurs.
your filter causes water movement.
in essence, circulating the water in the tank. as the water circulates it exposes water that is depleted/rich/imbalanced to air where it will exchange gases. O2 is one gas that is exchanged.

IMO, a single fluval 405(225gph) may not be enough filtration for a 75.
which species of Pleco?
you may need to increase circulation with pumps to keep a good flow.
 
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Thanks for the info everyone! From all the info I've gathered today, I will put an hob on this tank. I also didn't know that you could get a spraybar for fluvals until today. I may buy one of those also.

I am going to be keeping ABN pleco's in this tank for now. Hopefully, around summer time, I'll have some regular BN pleco's and some L134 (Leopard frog pleco's) that will be spawning.

Thanks again for the info!
 
FYI. The same way I use very low cost garden tubing and fittings to create missing intake and out-flow fittings for my used Ebay canisters, YOU can use to make a spray bar and there is even a punch-hole tool for $1 you can use to make cut neat little small holes you need for a spray-bar. This link should spark some ideas.
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=201915&highlight=fluval+404
 
I have a fluval 305 on my 55 I also added a koralia 1 and put it near the
surface maybe you can look into one to get more water movement
 
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