FishProfiles.com Message Forums

I'm setting up a 48"x12"x16" tank for ~9 malawi cichlids. I have one large rock pile 1/3 in from the left and a smaller pile on the right. I have an airstone that I might use if that recommended.

This is my first time using a cannister filter (fluval 304) and I'm wondering what the best placement is for the intake/output.

In terms of hiding the equipment the best way for me to position them would like this: starting from the left hand side I would place the intake 1/3 of the way in behind the rock pile then place the output a couple of inches to the right of that. My thought is that it would create a pretty good sideways "U" current.

How does that sound?
Is there a recommended way to place this equipment?

this is just me... but i have a 48" x 13" x 12" with a fluval 304 - i put the intake at the far left and the outlet in the centre at the centre brace pointed towards the right and a bit upwards - it offers good surface agitation and allows circulation of all the water. i was thinking of putting the inlet/outlet the way you have it but was concerned about all the water being filtered as opposed to primarily the water on one side of the tank if that makes sense... although i'm assuming that if you point the outlet away from the inlet you'll get good circulation too.... eitherway - the way i have it seems to work really well too

i use surplus hose on my input tube to channel it as far away as possible from the output flow. the benefit may in reality be small, but i always figured "why not". it seems frivolous to have both the input and output flows so close together.

the output on mine is on the top at the surface level, while the input is on the bottom below the output pipe. no problem, it's been working for the last 2 years. this is an eheim pro 2028.

it seems frivolous to have both the input and output flows so close together.

ssshhh... don't tell that to the power filter guys.

I run my input/output next to each other on my 404... I did have them at opposite ends of the tank, but after sitting and watching the water movement one day, I realized the "dead-spot" in the tank was below the output (using the standard Fluval agitator). All the suspended stuff in the water column was precipitating out down there, and the main movement was on the surface until about mid-tank, so I moved the input next to/above the uptake stem...

The result? Much clearer water in just one night

Dex

edit: just for the record, I point the output at about a 40 degree angle from the back of the tank, this way the current hits the front side of the tank about halfway along, and then swirls it round along the side and then the back wall.


Last edited by dextroze at 20-Oct-2004 05:19

gudel- my comment does sound rather flippant (unntentional)after reading it again. i should have added that it is in a 125gal (6f long), and seperating the two was the easiest way of improving the overall current in the tank. doing this broke up several "dead" spots on my gravel that are hard to get to with the gravel vac.

anyway, it works for me.

Last edited by mariosim at 20-Oct-2004 11:52

johnsmith

This is the second time I have posted a reply apprently the first one got lost.

I have a 5ft tank. My Canister is an Eheim. The intake is vertical back corner very close to a heater. The outlet is at the opposite end and horizontal also close to a heater. The outlet is divided into three sections which means I have two going deep and the center section going across the surface of the water.

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

thanks everyone,
it looks like there are several opinions out there so I guess I'll just have to move the intake/output around to see how I can get the best mov't in my tank.