Help with fluval 305

D

derek681

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Nov 27, 2005
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I have just purchased a Fluval 305 External filter for my malawi cichlid tank as this is my first external filter i was wondering what is the best place for the inlet and outlet hoses should i have them at opposite ends of the aquarium so the hoses would run diagonally across the back of the tank or should i have the inlet and outlet together at one end (side by side) so the hoses run straight up and down.

Thanks in advance, Derek.
 
I had a Fluval 303 and it had a thing that attached the two tubes together. I did no use a spray bar and just pointed the outlet from the back right corner of the tank along the back wall. The inlet was directly below that, at the bottom of the tank. This set up a nice gentle counterclockwise circulation along the back wall to my left, then across the front of the tank to the right. I had to be careful about what plants were right there but eventually worked it out so there was wood and ferns there, and they didn't care about the flow. I always did this with Magnum HOT250s also.

OTOH, when I had Eheim canisters I separated the tubes, but I also had dual cansiters in those cases since those were 4' long tanks.
 
My tank is 4ft long it is the fluval 1200 duo deep i currently have the outlet in th right hand corner pointing towards the inlet which is in the left hand corner and i am finding that the waste is gathering under the outlet thats my reason for asking the question.

Cheers, Derek.
 
so would you recommend having the inlet and outlet along side each other in one corner of the tank pushing the water around in a full circle before reaching the inlet hose instead of pushing the water in a straight line towards the inlet? Cheers, Derek.
 
It all depends on your intentions. Though I would dare say it works best to have them far apart, to ensure that the water taken in is as dirty as possible.

My 20long has a fluval 104, and I have my inlet/output on opposite ends. A Penguin 125 in the middle. All seems well.
 
waste under inlet

waste under the inlet happens, at least it is getting to the right place, your choice is to siphon it out occasionally or lower the filter intake with an extension. If you lower the intake, you will have to clean the filter more often.

You gotta take the trash out one way or the other, or maybe just feed less.
 
You have to see where the debris ends up and if you can tolerate that. Having the inlet on one side and the outlet on the other may give you dead spots in corners that collect trash, or not, it really depends on what stuff is in your tank that deflects circulation. On one hand, you want to get all debris either out where you can siphon it out, or actually into the filter, or to a spot where you can clean it but don't have to look at it, like behind that little decoration or whatever. On the other hand, your fish need a quiet place to rest, so there has to be spots for them to sleep.

Most often people will put a spray bar on one side of the tank to sweep to the far end where the filter inlet is located.
 
i see, but if i use a spray bar will i need a power head or something similar to push the water over my heater so i don't get any cold spots or should it be ok. Cheers, Derek.
 
Spray Bar

I have not noticed any detrimental effects at the far end of my spray bar.

I admit to disconnecting the bar and pipping in direct occasionally simply because the angels and guormi's seem to love the bubbles and current in their faces.

Reminds me of the dogs you see with their faces out the car windows!!! :D
 
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