Large OHF on a 1FT Tank

[ecar0h]

Hi there,

new to this hobby, would like to seek some advice on an OHF that I have thats quite too powerful for the tank.

I already have 1ft cube tank nano setup rearing shrimps and some enders/neons. Being a beginner, i got this from the marketplace and it has everything in one set, including GEX soil, small eheim pump and a small DAZ single bulb light.

Recently my dad showed me a 5W Jebo OHF that produces 450L/H that he bought sometime back. I tried the filter on the setup, but found the waterfall generated was way too strong, churning up the soil even at the lowest setting. (abt water flow that penetrates 6-7inches of water, churns up the soil and makes the shrimps go "Weeeeeeee!!!")

I'm interested to replace the older OHF with this. Questions are,

1) is the filter appropriate for the 1ft setup?
2) if it is, how can i reduce the impact of the "waterfall"?

Hope I've provided sufficient info..

[Mizu World]

It's already pretty obvious that your current OHF is too strong for the setup.

Go for an OHF that is about 300L/H or lower like the Whirlpool HOF 280 or Whirlpool HOF 150. These are more appropriate for 1ft setups and provide good water flow.

[fishbuger]

I'm setting up 2 x 1fts shortly and personally I went for the 80.You'd want good flow but not too strong a flow either.

[ecar0h]

I see, thanks for the tip.

[beetlejuice403]

Hi, what I used to do in the past with OHFs is to try & fill up the compartment(box) with as much media as possible to reduce the outflow of water back into the tank [However I'd few occassions where the water seeped out from the compartment as too much media was added which inhibited the outflow - hence you may need to try & find the optimal amount of media to add to get your desired flowrate.]

Or, as some suggested, try to 'downgrade' to a OHF with a smaller flowrate. May be better for the fauna & flora also by doing so...

Cheers!

[ecar0h]

Thanks for the friendly advice. I did notice in a LFS this shopowner actually used rocks and pebbles to "break" the strong water gushing into the tank. It created quite a nice "waterfall" feature within the tank setup. Was actually wondering if this technique is possible.

If it still doesn't work, I'll probably go back to a smaller filter. Any advice?

[pentagon]

theoretically, twink the intake tube of the pump to "n" shape, the higher the n the slower the output.

[Loopy]

I suggest a Hang On Filter or get an Eden or Eden-like canister filter.

I apologize for not being able to give you a picture of it as the one I use is at work and I can't seem to find a picture of it. I paid SGD$25++ or something like that for it.

EDIT: https://www.aquariumsuppliesaustrali...2913_small.jpg

[ecar0h]

Hi, what I used to do in the past with OHFs is to try & fill up the compartment(box) with as much media as possible to reduce the outflow of water back into the tank [However I'd few occassions where the water seeped out from the compartment as too much media was added which inhibited the outflow - hence you may need to try & find the optimal amount of media to add to get your desired flowrate.]

Or, as some suggested, try to 'downgrade' to a OHF with a smaller flowrate. May be better for the fauna & flora also by doing so...

Cheers!

Thanks, have followed your advice and tweeked the media in the OHF as well as another method.

1) Cut out a small piece of dishwashing scrub (the dark green dishwasher kinda scrub u use in the kitchen) and filter the water at the outlet area of the OHF, this raises the water level and overflows a little at the area that holds the inlet pipe, reducing force build-up of the water like a blow-off valve. End result is the water now trickles out in a consistent but sufficient flowrate, much like my existing small OHF.

2) Add more water to the tank so that it almost reaches the tip of the outlet area of the OHF. This reduces gravitational pull from water that would otherwise cause splashing if its lower.

Problem solved, thanks!

[ecar0h]

theoretically, twink the intake tube of the pump to "n" shape, the higher the n the slower the output.

Uh, don't really understand what you meant by twink the intake tube to "N" shape.. would you have a pic to illustrate how this is done?

Thanks!

[ecar0h]

I suggest a Hang On Filter or get an Eden or Eden-like canister filter.

I apologize for not being able to give you a picture of it as the one I use is at work and I can't seem to find a picture of it. I paid SGD$25++ or something like that for it.

EDIT: https://www.aquariumsuppliesaustrali...2913_small.jpg

Hi Loopy,

Thanks for the tip. Think I am gonna stick to my current setup at the moment cos i'm still new to the hobby and don't wish to invest more on the tank so soon. Thanks once again!

[torque6]

Thanks, have followed your advice and tweeked the media in the OHF as well as another method.

1) Cut out a small piece of dishwashing scrub (the dark green dishwasher kinda scrub u use in the kitchen) and filter the water at the outlet area of the OHF, this raises the water level and overflows a little at the area that holds the inlet pipe, reducing force build-up of the water like a blow-off valve. End result is the water now trickles out in a consistent but sufficient flowrate, much like my existing small OHF.

2) Add more water to the tank so that it almost reaches the tip of the outlet area of the OHF. This reduces gravitational pull from water that would otherwise cause splashing if its lower.

Problem solved, thanks!

Dishwashing scrub ? You are aware 3M labels some of their scrubs as "Not suitable for Aquariums", having them intergrated into your filter system will cause problems for your fishes. Try and get those $1 sponges from LFS, may it be oceanfree, mika, or some taiwan brand will do just fine.

You can always adjust outflow by having it go through media or outlet slopes like those in GEX filter to reduce the downward flow. Dont meddle with the inflow pipes however.

[Loopy]

I really have to second this. The dishwashing lining is not the healthiest of choices .

Just look for any white filter media as torque6 described. All the brands he he pointed out I have used and they are good choices. Do a DIY cutout.

Good luck buddy

Dishwashing scrub ? You are aware 3M labels some of their scrubs as "Not suitable for Aquariums", having them intergrated into your filter system will cause problems for your fishes. Try and get those $1 sponges from LFS, may it be oceanfree, mika, or some taiwan brand will do just fine.

You can always adjust outflow by having it go through media or outlet slopes like those in GEX filter to reduce the downward flow. Dont meddle with the inflow pipes however.

[pentagon]

hi, loopy,
what i mean was that for a pump, output volume
will reduce if water is draw / pushed to higher place.

so if we put a pump in a higher place (for dry pump to draw water from tank) or put the output tube higher (for underwater pump), the output flow will be reduced.

the theory is to make water travel to higher place to reduce output volume.

Uh, don't really understand what you meant by twink the intake tube to "N" shape.. would you have a pic to illustrate how this is done?

Thanks!

[ecar0h]

I really have to second this. The dishwashing lining is not the healthiest of choices .

Just look for any white filter media as torque6 described. All the brands he he pointed out I have used and they are good choices. Do a DIY cutout.

Good luck buddy

Thanks for the tip. Will go look out for something more suitable.