xathine

Okay, at first I just thought my fish would die then the filter intake would suck them up.

But I saw today one of my checkered barbs swim by it and get sucked onto the intake tube.

I quickly got my net and moved him away from it.

I was going to shut the light off a few mintues ago and noticed another cherry barb was stuck to it! I grabbed the net and moved him off but it was too late for the poor fellow

Anyone else have this problem? The filter is an aquaclear 110 / 500, its set as low as it can go. The fish can't fit inside the holes on the tube but for some reason it sucks them so they get stuck on it...

What should I do

CHoffman

The fish should be strong enough to be able to swim away from the suction. Usually if they are unable it means they are weak. What are your water perimeters? Do they have any signs of illness??

xathine

Perimeters are perfect, no signs of illness.

They are quite small fish, maybe an inch at max.

So I'm going to assume they just arn't strong enough to get away from it?

CHoffman

hmm..Poor babies. I'm not to familiar with filters but what is your rated for??. Is is to big for your tank maybe.

xathine

Its rated for 55-75g.

I've got a 55g.

CHoffman

hmm. I wish I could tell ya what's going on then. They must be a bit weak. I wonder if they are suffering from something that your not able to see.

xathine

I've been trying to create a nice school of barbs.

Been adding 2-3 a week now, and every week it seems like one or more always gets eatin by the filter

Aldric

you might need to change ur filter to one that doesnt have a intake tube i use a fluval3 and have small guppies and ive not had any problems so far ( crosses fingers and toes)

peacemaker92

Hi xathine. I had a problem with that in my previous tank. I suggest you might have to change the filter to a more softer one. Maybe a rated one for 25 to 55g? Just a suggestion. I would follow what CHoffman said about them being weak, or maybe the current is too strong for the poor dudes so you have to change the filter. Sorry. Good luck and keep us updated!

saqib

try using a DIY setup and use some PVC pipes to extend the intake tube and divert it towards a corner maybe where fish generally do not hang around, you can always extend the intake tube way down just above the gravel...thats waht i did with mine since the platys were having to struggle everytime they came close to the intake.

MissMTS

You might want to put a sponge over the intake tube to keep the fishies from getting sucked in. You can buy the aquaclear sponges by themselves. Just cut a slit in the sponge and slip it over the intake of the filter. I hope this helps

peacemaker92

Just a question, don't take it the wrong way, Miss. If you put a sponge over the intake tube, how would dirty water go into the filter? The dirt would get caught on the sponge then the filter would just act as a pump. I've tried it before and the sponge got really dirty after several weeks and I felt my filter was just used as a pump and the filter media and sponges inside my filter were no use because of the external sponge covering the intake tube.

aquarist48

Hello PeaceMaker. Covering the intake tube does not restrict the water flow. Rinse the sponge on the intake tube just like you would filter media, in siphoned tank water when you do your water changes. Not only will it keep fish from getting stuck to it, it will also add to your biological filtration. I have the Aqua Clears and the extra sponge on the intake works "great".
Ken

peacemaker92

Hmm... That's cool! Never thought of that! Thanks!

aquarist48

You're welcome Have a good day today!
Ken

xathine

Woke up to another poor guy on the filter

CHoffman

I think the sponge is the best idea. I use sponge filters in all my baby tanks. When you notice the water flow starting to slow down or the sponge gettting to dirty just clean it like you would your filter media.

peacemaker92

Thanks! You too!

Oh no... So sorry. I agree with CHoffman, it's a good idea right now to prevent more lil dudes being sucked up by your filter.

Fishies-for-me

I have an aqua clear rated for a 70 gallon tank on my 29 gal guppy tank... I have a sponge on the intake tube to keep the babies out of the filter and have it on full blast. It does not affect the suction of the filter and helps your filter go longer between cleanings as the sponge prefilters the water and all you have to do is rinse the sponge once in a while. It does a great job and I have never had a fish on the intake . It also is a great place for shrimp and or baby fish to feed as instad of food getting sucked up the intake tube into the filter it gets stuck on the sponge and the smaller slower fish and inverts can graze there .....good luck.

ccb04

I would recommend the sponge also. As mentioned, the sponge won't restrict water flow ... it will primarily trap larger debris. Additionally, with the sponge over the intake ... the filter media inside the basket is still doing it's job of housing beneficial bacteria (biomax insert), chemically filtering the water (if you use carbon), etc.

scatty

For a quick-fix, stocking or some other mesh will work too. I had to do this to stop my bettas fins getting sucked in and chewed up. The nice folk on here suggested it to me originally, and it works a treat.

TFA101

i've done that too ^

rubber banding a mesh filter media bag to the filter intake kept my halfmoon's fins in good shape, and it didn't restrict water flow either. I would imagine it would work out okay withyour small fish

kloseo

aquarist48 i have learned alot reading your responses to many questions posed on this site including one on the use of garlic. thanks for sharing your knowledge

gmen4life

man the ac110 must be a beast id try the sponge also i have lil almost fry size guys they are strong enough to swim away do you use liquid test strips or paper?

scatty

I agree. (havn't seen the garlic one though)

xathine

I went and got a sponge at the LFS.

Currrently zip tied onto the end of my filter intake.

Looks janky though

jdhef

You could always put a plant in front of the intake to block the view.

cerianthus

Try obtaining Black Foam made for Supreme Mag Pump. They are not as dense as other spnges which are mentioned, thus will elliminate constannt rinsing. Aq Clear sponge will do the trick but will kill flow rate quickly. This Black COARSE foam will last quiet a bit and they in cylindrical shape with hole, so can be fitted over the intake tube. If intake tube is too thin. Cut out sma portion of foam from top and stuffed the gap. It wont look as bad as other sponges and it wont effect the flow as quickly as others.