Creep

Hi everyone...my first post here. But if this is not the correct section, please correct me.

I have read much about increasing or reducing flow rates of canisters. This is all fine. What remains a question mark for me is, how do I tell if the flow of the output is the just right?

While some say if the plants start to sway, it's probably too much. But, even with a much reduced flow, plants near the output sway.

Or do I back off once I see fishes making an effort to swim against the flow?


Hope y'all can help out.

Some info: eheim 2234 without spray bar, 15 gallon tank, planted quite heavily.

trenac

You will get some plant sway from plants right in front of the out flow, which is ok. If the plants are bending over or getting knocked about harshly, then you have to much flow. You will just have to play around with your particular filter flow rate to get it correct.

Bert H

Welcome to apc, Creep. (Quite a screen name there )I do it a lot like Trena says. Basically eyeball it. If fish look like they're trying to swim a marathon because of the current, I back off the flow.

You want decent flow to get good circulation throughout the tank. It will help distribute nutrient rich water throughout the tank, and, believe it or not, it keeps algae down.

Creep

Thanks trenac, Bert H. Thanks for the tips guys.

Since I have not used a canister before, I guess I'm a bit apprehensive.

The outlet is located just below the water surface, and it creates sort of a swirl on the water surface. Is it correct for me to assume that this is not an issue as long as there is little surface agitation? (BTW I'm using C02 cylinder injection).

Oh, the other thing is, my Eheim came with Substrat Pro and a couple of filter pads. Would this do or need I add bio-rings/ceramic rings?

Sorry for the tons of questions, now you know how I got the screen name hahaha.

Laith

If the fish are plastered against the opposite pane of glass from the outflow, you've got too much current!

As to the filter media, that should be fine. I use the ceramic rings as the first layer in my Eheims more as a large debris pre-filter than anything else. But I don't think it's required.

Creep

Very interesting hahaha... thanks Laith for your info on the bio-rings.