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Hello all I have been reading here for two weeks while my new 30 gal is cycling.

I got the bug and bought a betta 4-5 weeks ago and a bowel , then a 3 gal eclispe, then a 30 gal sea clear.

I have a few fish in there as well as the original betta who just loves all the room!!

Here is my question I have the eclispe 3 which has a intake pipe reaching down to about a 1.5 inches off substrate, now to hide it and the heater also in that area I have planted silk plants in front and around the intake.

None of the plants touch the intake or come within a inch of it instead I kinda built a plant wall in the corner, this also seems to provide a safe haven for some fish who like to take a break in the area.

I dont see any problems water still seems to be flowing good, but I thought I would ask you all If this plan is ok.

thanks in advance and I love this forum

Mike

Hey Meirvin,
Glad your enjoying the forums and welcome to fp...It sounds as thought the plants shouldn't cause any problems, just keep an eye on them to make sure that the fish don't uproot them the suction gets to such that it sucks them in, and you should be ok...
Seems as though you have the fish bug bad as well...take a deep breath and add a little stress coat to your bath tonight, then head back to the pet store for yet another tank....:%)
Once again welcome to the insanity...
Heidi

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

Once again, welcome to FP, we hope you love it here as much as we do.

As for your plants, as long as the intake of water is not hindered by their presence, it will work perfectly fine. It's actually in aquascaping trick to hide wires, airlines, and heaters behind plants, rocks, or driftwood. It helps keep from having the person focus on the mechanical parts and allows them to stay focused on the intended beauty in front of them

PM/email/msg me if you have any questions/comments regarding me or my knowledge or if you want me to read a thread.

Hi,
Since these are real silk plants and not ordinary
everyday live plants, your idea is good and should
work fine as the others have noted.

If you should decide to use live plants at some point
and use the same idea, I would stick to plants that
are not fine leafed or bushy, such as the varieties
of micro, or cambomba. The tank circulation could
cause a buildup of detritus with the bushy, fine leaves
acting as a net. I'd stick to plants such as Val, or
Sag, or swords, or crypts, instead. Their leaves
are larger, hide more with less, and wont act as a
"net" to trap floating particles on the way to the
filter.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--