Possibly stupid question.... Best place for filter intake?

Thanks for the answers guys.

So basically with one filter i need to watch the waste when I get fish and see if any accumulates in one spot?

If I had two filters, would it just be best to put one on each end of the tank?

How does one know if there's too much current, and how would one fix it?
 
Another way to keep water moving is to use a power filter at one end, and an air pump at the other. If the impeller jams or the filter doesn't restart after the power goes out the air pump will keep the water circulating. Otherwise, the current created will help overall circulation as water from the outflow runs down into one end, and the air bubbles move water up at the other end. If the tank is too large for that to work effectively a powerhead placed on the opposite end will push a stronger current toward the filter intake.
Too much current is relative to the tank size and the fish being kept. River species like tetras, botia's, and catfish don't mind a bit of current. Fancy guppies, goldfish, and other pond-dwelling species that aren't strong swimmers prefer less movement. African butterfly fish really don't like any current, they'd rather lurk under a mass of floating plants all day. However, some circulation is necessary, and it certainly won't kill the fish. If you see wide-eyed fish shooting past the glass more than 10 times/minute there may be too much current... :grinyes:
 
Just watch your fish. If they tend to stay in one spot that is somewhat protected from the current, they might like a little less current. Otherwise, if they seem to be swimming in and out of the current without a problem, then they're fine. I like to have my intake on one end and the output on the other for my canister, otherwise with my HOB power filters, I try to either put it near the middle for my smaller tanks or have it on one end with a powerhead or another filter on the other.

I had the same questions when I started up too. Don't worry, we'd rather you ask a million questions than not ask a question and make a mistake. Your fish would rather that too! :)
 
Definitely pick up another filter.........:)
 
Actually that is a VERY good question and one I have been thinking about. I have a AC50 on a 20G tank and most of the time I keep it centered, but I do move it to on side or the other from tim to time.
 
And if you use canister, I personally like to have both intake and spray bar on the same side. This kind of creates a whirl pool effect if you look at the tank from the top and creates a nice circulation. I think there are many variations of placements for in/out takes and people have been using them for years without problems.

I usually place the spray bar in such a way that the top hole is at the near the surface - this one is responsible for creating surface disturbances in case more gas exchanges are needed.
 
I try to position my intake and outflow at either end, too.. for many of the reasons already mentioned. But also because I can feed the fish at the end where the intake isn't and not worry about food getting sucked up the tube. I like this better than actually shutting off a filter every time it's feeding time.
 
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