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RE: Reducing filter outflow/current

FattFishy — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 19:48:58 GMT

If oxygenation is a problem, just add a little air stone for surface agitation. It looks nice and doesn't cause a strong current!

RE: Reducing filter outflow/current

Nikita — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 19:35:07 GMT

The diameter of a standard bottle is too large for the size of my filter. The plastic loses strength trying to wrap around the smaller filter equipment.

It'll work if I get a smaller bottle, like a specialty soda bottle or something like that. I'll have to be on the lookout at the grocery store..it'll give me an excuse to drink something with way too much sugar in it, I'm sure.

The problem is fixed for now, though. I tried FattFishy's idea of wrapping the intake tube in sponge, only I modified it and used cloth. I make plushes as a hobby, so I just grabbed some linen fabric (nice and natural) and wrapped it twice then rubber-banded it.

It works like a charm! Outflow's reduced to the perfect degree. I can still see agitation on the surface and the plant are feeling the flow, but there's not of that horrid erosive action that I was getting from the strong current before.

Thanks for the good tips, guys. :)

RE: Reducing filter outflow/current

Nikita — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 19:20:23 GMT

That is flippin' brilliant. When I first wrote the post I thought people were gonna say, "Go buy this and this and stick it on with this that costs way more money than you have..."

And instead I got some of the easiest DIY tips ever! The bottle idea is one that I can try right now; lemme see if I can get it working and get back on the results.

RE: Reducing filter outflow/current

FattFishy — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 18:52:13 GMT

Dang, princess this is one great idea! I should use this for my gourami...

RE: Reducing filter outflow/current

princessotfu — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 18:48:12 GMT

Here it is:
http://www.petfish.net/kb/entry/347/

RE: Reducing filter outflow/current

princessotfu — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 18:44:11 GMT

I don't know if my suggestion will make much sense from just a description, but I can't find the picture to go along, so I'll try my best.

Get a 20oz. pop bottle and cut off the top and bottom so that you have a straight plastic tube. Make one cut down length-wise. Take one side of the cut and fix it to the top of your filter so that the rest of the bottle curls around under the outflow.
If this makes sense, it'll direct the flow out to the sides across the top of the water, instead of directing it down into the tank.
I'm trying to find the picture, but I hope that helps.

RE: Reducing filter outflow/current

Nikita — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 18:43:58 GMT

Brilliant! If sponge is too thick I'll use cloth, and either way the idea seems sound. I didn't know if blocking it might be damaging to the impeller, but other filters have output controls; my big Whisper filter does so it can't be too much of a hangup.

Thanks! I'll try it, even if I do feel like Bob the Builder.

Can we fix it?!?! ...Ain't nothin' a sponge and enough rubber bands can't fix.

RE: Reducing filter outflow/current

FattFishy — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 18:26:47 GMT

Well, I'm assuming your GPH is 50. Usually, filters meant for 10 gallons and tropical tanks will have a GPH of 50. Same thing with the Top Fin Filter 10. It also doesn't have a current control.

Instead, what you can do is just put an unused sponge around the intake tube. It'll act as filter media for more bacteria to colonize. Don't take my word for it though, I never tried it. Just assuming the sponge will block flow so that the current won't be so strong.

Reducing filter outflow/current

Nikita — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 17:32:59 GMT

I purchased a Whisper power filter when setting up a 10-gallon planted aquarium. It's rated for 5-10 gallon tanks, hang-on-back model, 115-120 volts/60 Hz. Just your basic HOB filter.

Now, the gallons-per-hour rating was nowhere to be found on the filter or the packaging, but I've always liked Whisper's performance so I let it slide when I purchased it. Unfortunately, I'm running into a problem - there's no output control on the filter. Just a simple intake tube, no way to regulate the current produced in my tank.

And this current is ridiculous. It's going to shred my poor corkscrew val that's taking the brunt of the current, and I fear for the many small plants that are soon to be blown all around the tank. In addition, I only plan to house neon tetras and cherry shrimp, and they aren't exactly built to handle hurricane-force currents like this filter is producing.

I don't want a lagoon or a swamp. But I do want my overexuberant filter to cut back a bit before my tank looks like it was rearranged by a three-year-old. Is there any DIY method to reduce the output so I get gentler but still effective filtration from my Whisper?