I wouldn't bother returning it, you'll be thankful for the extra filtration. I've got a 2.5 gallon planted betta tank with a couple ghost shrimp and DIY CO2 with a 20 gph hang on back filter. The shrimp can easily beat the current, and they almost seem like its a fun thing to do once in a while. I have a couple types of stem plants, some cryptos and micro swords planted in the stream front of the filter, and everything is growing and popping out new leaves. The movement from the current just seems to make everything more lifelike.