Power filter intake curiosity

[Craig66]

I have a curiosity (and probably stupid) question on the intake of a power filter.

How for down in the tank should it be?? I have read in some places that it should be as close to the bottom as possible. But not if you have certain fish. (Can't remember what fish was listed.) Have also seen where it should be alot higher. Close to the surface. Which is it?

Had mine low for a while, then I added more gravel to plant plants, now I have it about in the middle.

Anyone have any insight on this???
(Stupid huh )

 

[Swimfins]

I would suppose you'd want the tube as close as possible to the substrate without it sucking up sand or gravel and blocking it, close enough to get rid of the bottom waste.

 

[Craig66]

That is what I thought. Just wish I could remember what the fish were, where you would want it higher. I think my fish are safe, but I have to dig out the rest of my supplies the get the right extention to lower it.

 

[chuckj]

For what it's worth I was wondering about the same question. My Filstar manual says at least 4" from the bottom. If you look at some of the power filters like the Emperor I was considering, they are relatively short.

I had mine down low originally, right by the gravel. I have since moved it up. Maybe it's just me, but I think having it up slightly helps the current draw to it more, keeping the junk suspended a bit. When it was down low, the dirt seemed to have more of a chance to settle out into the gravel.

My 2 cents at least!!

 

[Craig66]

That's about the same here. Now that mine has been raised for a few days, it seems to be doing a better job than when it was down low. Maybe it's just my imagination though............