Post by Red☠Frost on Jan 6, 2017 19:19:31 GMT
Filters are a must have in large aquariums. They help keep the tank clean, and can add a peaceful ambiance to busy rooms. But, sometimes they're just too much for our little fish. Although there are sometimes an additional filter where the water cascades back into the tank, it just doesn't cut it. Here's how to keep your fish relaxed in their home by baffling your filter.
Step One:
See if there's a way to adjust your filter. You don't want to adjust it too much, though, or your tank won't be cycled fast enough.
Step Two:
Figure out how much room is beneath your filter, or how much room there is to the side and in front of it.
Step Three:
Go to your local pet store, PetSmart, or PetCo and go to the live plant area in the fish section. Find plants that are completely submersible and get enough to fit beneath your filter. Then, get a large fake plant that is almost as tall as your tank. You can return it if you don't need it.
Step Four:
Go to Walmart. Buy a metalless, suction cup soap holder with holes in it. It should look something like this. Here is a picture of mine. It should be deep enough to hold your live plants and keep them from being pushed off the sides.
Step Five:
Once home, rinse your soap holder, then the roots of your plants. Most come in gel that isn't toxic to your fish, but you should still get as much as possible off. Prune any dead/dying leaves.
Step Six:
Turn off your filter. Place your live plants into the soap holder, and put some gravel or whatever your substrate is in with them to keep them anchored down.
Step Seven:
Suction your new plant holder right below the output of your filter. Make sure it is steady, and that it won't fall from the weight of the plants and gravel. Turn on your filter.
Step Eight:
The flow of water from your filter to the tank should be gentle now. If you think it is still too strong, put the fake plant right on the edge of the tank's bottom. It should be tall enough to help stow the current even further. If the live plants are enough, return the fake plant.
Step One:
See if there's a way to adjust your filter. You don't want to adjust it too much, though, or your tank won't be cycled fast enough.
Step Two:
Figure out how much room is beneath your filter, or how much room there is to the side and in front of it.
Step Three:
Go to your local pet store, PetSmart, or PetCo and go to the live plant area in the fish section. Find plants that are completely submersible and get enough to fit beneath your filter. Then, get a large fake plant that is almost as tall as your tank. You can return it if you don't need it.
Step Four:
Go to Walmart. Buy a metalless, suction cup soap holder with holes in it. It should look something like this. Here is a picture of mine. It should be deep enough to hold your live plants and keep them from being pushed off the sides.
Step Five:
Once home, rinse your soap holder, then the roots of your plants. Most come in gel that isn't toxic to your fish, but you should still get as much as possible off. Prune any dead/dying leaves.
Step Six:
Turn off your filter. Place your live plants into the soap holder, and put some gravel or whatever your substrate is in with them to keep them anchored down.
Step Seven:
Suction your new plant holder right below the output of your filter. Make sure it is steady, and that it won't fall from the weight of the plants and gravel. Turn on your filter.
Step Eight:
The flow of water from your filter to the tank should be gentle now. If you think it is still too strong, put the fake plant right on the edge of the tank's bottom. It should be tall enough to help stow the current even further. If the live plants are enough, return the fake plant.
