Powerhead too strong???

HI All,

I decided to treat myself for Christmas and get a UV sterilizer for my 36 gal. tank.  I went to a LFS and they pointed me toward a 9V UV sterilizer and a Maxi-Jet 900 powerhead.  The algae problem (bloom) in my tank had gotten out of control.

I set it up on Monday, and already my tank is beautiful!!  I'm so happy about that!  But now I'm thinking that the powerhead is just too powerful for my tank.  My tank is stocked with the following:

5 rosy tetras
7 black finned tetras
2 plecos
1 peppered cory
5 von rio flame tetras

Since setting up the UV sterilizer, I've lost 4 fish (both plecos, the cory, and one rosy tetra), and one of my von rio flames looks questionable.

The levels of my tank have not changed in months: ammonia=0, nitrites=0, nitrates=~2.5, pH=7.6.

Could the powerhead be too powerful, stressing out the fish?  If so, would the Maxi-Jet 600 or 400 be more appropriate for a 36 gal tank?

Any help will be appreciated!  Thanks!

 

Are your fish being tossed around? If they seem comfortable with the current then they probably are.
Have you introduced any new fish lately that might have brought in disease?
Carol

 

No, not tossed around. But they do struggle at times.

My newest fish were the plecos, but I got them 2 or 3 weeks ago.

 

You said you had an algae problem, did the plecos not eat it? If your fish are struggling then the current is too strong and they are stressed.
carol

 

They were eating algae on rocks, glass, etc., but I still had the green bloom.  I tried a blackout, which didn't help much.  Also, I did supply the plecos with algae wafers a couple of times a week.

I'm going to go after work today and get a less powerful powerhead.  I need to do a water change anyway, so I'll swap out the power head.

The good news is that I was home at lunch and the von rio flame looks fine!

 

Great news!! didnt realize you were having an algae bloom, just thought there was algae on things.
Carol