I got a 12 gallon Nano Cube for Christmas and got it up and running for freshwater. I added six neon tetras yesterday . . . all seems well except with the pump on they look like they are trying to swim in a raging underwater current. Guys at two different pet stores said they would be OK but when the pump is on . . . and I think it's supposed to be on all the time . . . they just kind of hover in one spot. I turn the pump off to give them some peace and they seem very happy them. Needless to say I am brand new at this and really want to make it work. Can anyone tell me if neon tetras are too little for this type of water movement?
Nano current blows away tetras?
- Thread starter clarysage
- Start date
it prolly isnt a problem with the force created by the pump, becuase these little guys prolly have to put up with stronger currents out in the wild. just a guess =)
Is there any way to change the direction of the flow ? If so, you can turn it toward the side of the tank to help diffuse it a bit.
I had a 12 gal with a Penguin 100 and one of those action air-pump decorations. Between the Penguin dropping water into the tank and the air-pump, I had quite a decent current going.
Solved the problem by raising the water level about 1/2" so the Penguin's output flowed across the surface and not dropping down the tank (quieted up the tank a bit as well), but also moved the air-decoration back so it raised the water up the back wall for the Penguin to push.
My fish (guppies) still seem to like to sit in the fast current caused by the Penguin...as they say, it's good exercise.
Solved the problem by raising the water level about 1/2" so the Penguin's output flowed across the surface and not dropping down the tank (quieted up the tank a bit as well), but also moved the air-decoration back so it raised the water up the back wall for the Penguin to push.
My fish (guppies) still seem to like to sit in the fast current caused by the Penguin...as they say, it's good exercise.
Tetras in Nano current update
Thanks to all you responded on this. It's very encouraging to find a place where people will share your interest and concern and take the time to respond. The tetras are starting to look more at home in the nano. Their swim patterns are different when the pump is off but they don't look so stressed with it on now. I have adjusted the pump that sends water back into the tank, adjusting it different ways to see what seems to work best. Also, I took the magnitized algae cleaner thing (the kind that uses magnets to move a handle on the outside that manipulates the cleaner part on the inside) and put it in a position to diffuse the water flow. I've learned it's not good to leave the pump off for several hours; the water got too cloudy even though all the water levels were good. So I think I will leave it on and take the opinion that the little guys are enjoying getting buffed in their exercise nano spa.
Thanks to all you responded on this. It's very encouraging to find a place where people will share your interest and concern and take the time to respond. The tetras are starting to look more at home in the nano. Their swim patterns are different when the pump is off but they don't look so stressed with it on now. I have adjusted the pump that sends water back into the tank, adjusting it different ways to see what seems to work best. Also, I took the magnitized algae cleaner thing (the kind that uses magnets to move a handle on the outside that manipulates the cleaner part on the inside) and put it in a position to diffuse the water flow. I've learned it's not good to leave the pump off for several hours; the water got too cloudy even though all the water levels were good. So I think I will leave it on and take the opinion that the little guys are enjoying getting buffed in their exercise nano spa.