Water flow question

rdfriend

rdfriend

AC Members
Sep 9, 2007
124
0
0
67
Seminole, Fl.
I've searched the forums and if there is an answer to my question I haven't found it. I know that most would say that you can not have too much water flow and as far as the water column and dead spots are concerned I believe this is mostly true. However, what about fish species. I have a 125 with power heads at each end facing generally towards the middle. One a maxi-jet 1200 and the other a maxi-jet 900, both with a Sure Flow 1600 adapter for increased flow. I also have a Koralia 2 on the back wall facing the front. I recently tried two times to add an orbiculus batfish and both times they were blown around the tank and eventually died. Now I have added a dog faced puffer and the same thing is happening. He hasn't died yet but is not looking to healthy imo. I have turned off the two mj's but don't want to have to run the tank without them as they seem to be doing an excellent job. Anybody have this problem?
 
I suspect initial problems with the fish. Puffers don't normally have issues with higher water flow (yours actually isn't all that high). The batfish, however, may benefit from slower water flow if it is a juvenile and is in the usual condition for this species. That just adds onto the fact that most batfish rarely (repeat, rarely) survive in the first place.
 
Thanks for the reply. He seems to be doing okay this morning with the flow off but last night before I turned them off he got sucked up against the cage of one and I had to rescue him and that's when I turned them off. I guess I will have to monitor it and see. I thought 3800 gph, not counting what comes out of my two returns was a lot of flow. I am afraid to turn them back on while I am at work today but I don't want the tank to suffer because of the lack of flow. On the batfish I do understand about their fragility. It wasn't really an impulse buy as I had been reading about them but thought I would give it a try.
 
Last edited:
Yeah, unfortunately they are particularly fragile. Not quite as much as their cousins (P. pinnatus), but the orbic batfish are still pretty difficult.
 
After losing 2 I gave up on the batfish possibility. Too bad because I think they are way cool. Unfortunately I have been the victim of my own impulse buys, or I guess I should say that the fish have been the victims. Fish I have had but will never have again: bats, panther grouper, flame scallop. Probably a couple of others if I think about it long enough. The puffer is doing fine, eating and roaming the tank although my naso has nipped at him a couple of times. I thought they were the nice guys of the ocean, LOL. I think I will take the adapters off the MJs. It will reduce the flow significantly but still provide more than with them not running. At least there will be less chance of him getting sucked in. I can always add more powerheads until he gets a little bigger and stronger to fight the current.
 
Actually, it increases the risk of him being sucked to the intake because you are decreasing the surface area. Just something to think about. He should still be just fine with that kind of flow, especially if there are places out of the way (crevices, etc.). I am still confused as to why a healthy pufferfish cannot withstand that sort of water movement (suspecting other issues still)--If my 1.5" clownfish can, I'd imagine a pufferfish can as well.
 
Well, I'm thinking that since the Maxi-jets in normal mode have just a small cap like piece on the intake and not all that much flow, say compared to a Koralia, and with the adapter it is like squirrel cage similar to a Koralia but with much more flow. The area for him to get sucked in is far larger. I do have a lot of ledges and crevices and in fact he seems to prefer one area under a rock that he backs his butt into and just hangs out.

100_0605.jpg
 
The overall surface area is greater on something like a Koralia, but the suction is significantly weaker. The damage that maxijet intake can do is far worse than that of a koralia or maxi mod.
 
Hmm, that is interesting. I had not thought of like that but I see what you mean. I did lose a condy in a non modded maxi once and what a mess. I guess I will try keeping it like it is since the flow has seemed to be working well. I'll try keeping an eye on the puffer. For some reason, territorial I suppose, the naso has been a bit of a bully with him. So much for the nice guy image. haha
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom