Too much filtration?

[congealedmeat]

Can you have too much filtration? I've got a 33 gallon tank with an Aquaclear 500 filter on it. When I bought it I obviously wasn't thinking, as the filter is for 100+ gallons.

There's a huge current in my tank, and it bugs me that my (live)plants get blown around so much. My cory cats and pleco seem to love the current though, as they are very active.

I'd also like to know if anyone has any ideas on how to cut down on the current, as I can't really afford to buy a new filter. I'm thinking that I could just seperate one half of my tank with a few big rocks and limit the current to the one side more.

I'll probably post some pics of my tank this weekend.

 

[acefred]

Is there any flow ajustment?

 

[Kasakato]

You could try placing a sponge on the output so the water slows down a bit.

No, you can never over filter a tank, as long as the fish dont mind any current created by the filter(s).

 

[congealedmeat]

A wee bit, but it's only so that you can move the intake pipe off to the side a little and it restricts the intake. I'd say it only covers around 15-20% of the intake pipe, so it's not even really noticeable when you've got it on full bore or not.

Like I said, my fish seem pretty happy, but I know that I don't want a lot of surface movement with plants growing due to the CO2 exchange on the surface.

Here's a pic and the specs for my filter:

- Maximum Output: 500 U.S. Gal. (1892 l) per hour
- Full Flow Control: 166 U.S. Gal. (630 l) per hour
- Power Consumption: 14 W
- Maximum Aquarium Capacity: 150 U.S. Gal. (567 l)
- AquaClear is backed by a two year warranty
- Flow Control: Simply shift the patented "Flow Adjustment Control" at the the intake siphon. When the "Flow Adjustment Control" is at its greatest blockage, AquaClear's input and exhaust volumes are approximately a third of its maximum capacity.


I don't really know if I believe their 1/3 spec that they've put on there though, as it doesn't look like 1/3 at all.

My fish don't seem to mind it yet, and here's what I have in there:

1 albino chocolate pleco (7")
2 corydoras aenus
3 corydoras paleatus
1 European eel(I believe this is what it is, but that's another post in itself)
1 red crab
1 spotted raphael
2 missing shrimp(eel victims likely)
3 tetras leftover from cycling

Lots of driftwood, Hygrophilia polysperma(sunset), anubias nana, giant hygrophilia and rotala of some sort.

Thanks for any help

 

[daveedka]

I put sponge in the outflow of my Ac 500, it retards current to an amazing degree, and eliminates surface tubulence altogether.
Dave

 

[congealedmeat]

Sweet, did you cover the whole output with it? What sort of sponge should I use? I've only been aquariuming(haha bad word) for a few years, so I'm not too familiar with using stuff you don't buy at the pet store.

Thanks

 

[Spikor]

too much filtration...

I'm in the same boat. I just bought a a Marineland Penguin 200 for my upcoming planted tank in a 29 gallon. I currently have an older (still new but old model now) Penguin 170 which is the old version of the 200 which just came out this year. Since I am waiting for my stand and lights to arrive, I decided to install both filters in my current 20 gallon tank to start breaking it in. I immediatly noticed that this filter has a LOT more current shooting across the surface and then down the front of the tank and all over the place in general! At any rate...I also found that these two filters have different optimum water levels. My 20 Gallon tank is getting filtered right now by two beasts rated for 50 gallons each! haha!

oh, is there anything bad about starting a plant tank with a filter that already has bacteria from a cycled fis tank on it?
sorry if that was slightly
:OT:

thanks

 

[Karnaaj]

I'm confused here. Whats to keep the water from backing up and spilling on the floor if you put a sponge in the overflow? You haven't done anything to lessen the intake so where does the water go? Probably a simple answer in which case I will be properly embarrassed.

 

[Obsidian]

I'm confused here. Whats to keep the water from backing up and spilling on the floor if you put a sponge in the overflow? You haven't done anything to lessen the intake so where does the water go? Probably a simple answer in which case I will be properly embarrassed.

You and me both... I put a sponge into the overflow of my eclipse and ended up with quite a spectacular waterfall over the entire length of filter housing. Would it cause problems to put the sponge in the bottom of the intake instead?