Filtration suction not functioning correctly

This is an issue I have been trying to find answers to, not sure if I'm just wording things wrong for google.

30x12x18 (29 gal); what I'm having a hard time with is my filter doesn't seem to be sucking in the junk floating around my tank. The flow is perfectly fine, adjusted low or high, works fine. Not to mention it's a newer filter. But I will watch a lot of stuff float right past the in tank. The filter is clean. The impeller runs well. I also have a title set to low (the skimmer is what I got it for). My other filter is and AquaClear 70. I also use an air stone on the opposite side of the tank, but it typically has lower bubbling. I only turn it us when using Prime. I just can’t for the life of me figure out why this is happening.

I know this is kind of a weird question that doesn't have many answers, but I thought I would ask. Thank you

 

The only explanation I have for it is the filter isn't powerful enough to pull the debris in. If you are using a filter rated for a 29 gallon tank I don't think it is powerful enough. Unfortunately filters are highly over rated as to what they are able to do. I highly recommend we run filters rated for a tank at least twice the size of the tank we are running them on. You can never have too much filtration. Too much water movement is possible if it affects you fishes ability to swim but never too much filtration.

Since you said you turn your airstone up after adding Prime I am assuming you are concerned about the oxygen level when using it. I did want to tell you it would take massive doses of it to affect the oxygen level in your tank. Adding a normal amount of it isn't going to affect the oxygen level at all.

I just re-read your post. I am not sure but I am now thinking you are running 2 HOB filters in this tank. Please correct me if I'm wrong. If you are running an AquaClear 70 along with another HOB filter you should have enough filtration. I was going to suggest running poly-fill in your filters to help polish the water but it may not help if the filters aren't pulling the debris in.

 

I just put a new AquaClear 70 in my tank and I've been noticing the exact same thing. Water seems fine but I notice debris float right by the filter and not get sucked in.

 

The only explanation I have for it is the filter isn't powerful enough to pull the debris in. If you are using a filter rated for a 29 gallon tank I don't think it is powerful enough. Unfortunately filters are highly over rated as to what they are able to do. I highly recommend we run filters rated for a tank at least twice the size of the tank we are running them on. You can never have too much filtration. Too much water movement is possible if it affects you fishes ability to swim but never too much filtration.

Since you said you turn your airstone up after adding Prime I am assuming you are concerned about the oxygen level when using it. I did want to tell you it would take massive doses of it to affect the oxygen level in your tank. Adding a normal amount of it isn't going to affect the oxygen level at all.

I just re-read your post. I am not sure but I am now thinking you are running 2 HOB filters in this tank. Please correct me if I'm wrong. If you are running an AquaClear 70 along with another HOB filter you should have enough filtration. I was going to suggest running poly-fill in your filters to help polish the water but it may not help if the filters aren't

The only explanation I have for it is the filter isn't powerful enough to pull the debris in. If you are using a filter rated for a 29 gallon tank I don't think it is powerful enough. Unfortunately filters are highly over rated as to what they are able to do. I highly recommend we run filters rated for a tank at least twice the size of the tank we are running them on. You can never have too much filtration. Too much water movement is possible if it affects you fishes ability to swim but never too much filtration.

Since you said you turn your airstone up after adding Prime I am assuming you are concerned about the oxygen level when using it. I did want to tell you it would take massive doses of it to affect the oxygen level in your tank. Adding a normal amount of it isn't going to affect the oxygen level at all.

I just re-read your post. I am not sure but I am now thinking you are running 2 HOB filters in this tank. Please correct me if I'm wrong. If you are running an AquaClear 70 along with another HOB filter you should have enough filtration. I was going to suggest running poly-fill in your filters to help polish the water but it may not help if the filters aren't pulling the debris in.

Thank you mattgirl for taking the time to respond. Yes, both filters are running on low. I don't want my fancy tail bouncing around, haha. Though, I have turned them up to see if it would help. I literally will watch at ground level the intake.

The Aquaclear is a song on the intake. I even took it off, thinking it might have something to do with it. And no, some stuff sucks in, and other stuff just floats right past.

No, I have been struggling for months with murky water. I'm not going to get into that because I have tried what seems like everything. I'm talking months of trials. It's a pain I won't get into that. It's like not last, but it isn't very pleasant.

Anyways, the flow coming out of the filters is amazing. I just don't understand why the stuff isn't getting sucked in.

This is what’s in my filters:
Aquaclear 70
——
One sponge

Foam

Polishing pad

BioMax

Intake sponge



Tidle 35
——
Two sponges

Bio media

I just ordered some Polly fill. I was using something like it in a pad form (it sucked).

I even tried changing the depth my intake tube went down. It comes with that extra piece but is still the same. I wish there were a mobile aquarium service that could come look because it’s driving me bonkers. Haha

I just put a new AquaClear 70 in my tank and I've been noticing the exact same thing. Water seems fine but I notice debris float right by the filter and not get sucked in.

It’s so weird otterblue I don’t know if I’m obsessing over it, because I watch it so closely. Haha it’s new. I even replaced it because I thought the other one was broken. It’s not, though. It’s obviously filtering because my sponges get dirty, flow is great, but why does stuff just float past. I even wondered if because the tank is only a 29 gallons, maybe the water movement keeps the things from being sucked in. But that doesn't make sense because it is practically side swiping the Intake tube opening -.-! I just want to throw it all away, but I love my fish .

 

My AquaClear 70 does the same things: really good outflow & filter has BB. My water is clear and my tank seems clean (in fact, I just tried to vaccuum the substrate and couldn't get any muck).

But yet I still watch tiny particles in the water float right by the intake, rather than getting sucked in. They disappear eventually but I think they just fall to the substrate.

(I have one cherry shrimp that was a pioneer and accidentally tested the suction for me. Worked beautifully then. He's still alive, too.)

So, anyhow, not sure if I should get a new filter...

 

It sounds like your filters are doing what they are designed to do.They are well stocked with media. Lots of places for bacteria to grow. I've actually never set and watched mine to see if anything gets past them. I would turn them up as high as I could. If they start affecting your fishes ability to swim comfortably turn them down a bit.

 

It sounds like your filters are doing what they are designed to do.They are well stocked with media. Lots of places for bacteria to grow. I've actually never set and watched mine to see if anything gets past them. I would turn them up as high as I could. If they start affecting your fishes ability to swim comfortably turn them down a bit.

Thank you!

 

can you post pics (or video) of the tank, and also of the stuff floating around?

i had a 29g growing out 4 comet goldfish. i started with a pair of AC50, then i replaced them with a single Tidal110. had no issues with any debris in the water. the goldfish had no problems with the water flow.

try using the max setting, your fish might be ok with it. low setting just won't work as well for sucking in debris.

 

(Maybe the OP will.) I would, but right now I have no noticeable debris. Even when I do, I doubt it's perceivable on my not-so-smart phone. I appreciate the help though. (Sorry to piggyback this thread, but my problem is exactly the same.)