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| 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?
In the Mountains Of the Mountains For the Mountains
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| 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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Cut Here If life gives you lemons, squeeze them into people's eyes and run away! }<(((0>
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| 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.
In the Mountains Of the Mountains For the Mountains
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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.
20 gallon long
Lionhead - Kiko
Calico Lionhead - Little Bean
29 gallon
Fantail - Oliver
Black Moor - Damian
Calico Ryukin - Serafina
2.5 gallon
male betta - Pirate
10 gallon planted
minnow, betta, guppy
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Here it is:
http://www.petfish.net/kb/entry/347/
20 gallon long
Lionhead - Kiko
Calico Lionhead - Little Bean
29 gallon
Fantail - Oliver
Black Moor - Damian
Calico Ryukin - Serafina
2.5 gallon
male betta - Pirate
10 gallon planted
minnow, betta, guppy
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Senior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Today @ 7:15:32 AM
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Dang, princess this is one great idea! I should use this for my gourami...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Cut HereIf life gives you lemons, squeeze them into people's eyes and run away! }<(((0>
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