AC Uptake tube dangers

[Adrian]

Well, just want to say, that I have been burned by the uptake tube on the Aqua-Clear models.

Apparently, my kuhli loach was able to swim into my uptake tube and got stuck inside of it, and has perished. I am really bummed by this. The openings by the upper part of the tube are really big, and even a smaller fish could get sucked up and in. Or, even if one wanted to explore, as I am sure that is what happened to my kuhli, there is no way for him to swim out.

I have to find a way to prevent fish from entering that area. The lower part is fine, as it is a smaller size mesh......:( :( :(

[travie]

Sponge around the uptake would probably solve your problem if I'm understanding it correctly. I want to put a sponge on the uptake too, but haven't taken the time to find a sponge yet.

[Lady Hobbs]

Wrap a piece of nylon around it or a sponge.

[Wild Turkey]

Yea just get some mess and do a quick fix, or switch to a sponge filter

[Tooch]

Yea just get some mess and do a quick fix, or switch to a sponge filter


You meant mesh, right?

Don't switch to a sponge filter, but if you actually wrap a piece of sponge around the intake, it will prevent fish fish entering or getting sucked up

[Adrian]

What I worry about with a sponge, is the detris within the tank won't be able to get thru the sponge. Then, when I need to clean it, I release all of it back into the water column.

I have taken a piece of plastic, cut it to about 3/8's of an inch, and wrapped it around the top part of the strainer. This cut down the size of that opening. I also removed the extension, so that the filter tube itself is further up in the aquarium, as kuhli loaches love to explore the bottom part of the tank, where my uptake tube resided.

I don't know if this will work, but I am giving it a shot......

[Rue]

Sorry you had an incident...there's no 100% safe system - and most work fine.

I did have 2 Dojo's jump in the back of my Emperors! One in each of the 2 filters! What are the odds? But at least they were okay.

I also lost a Green Clown Goby in the back of my SW overflow a few weeks ago.

AND...although people will argue this...the basic sponge filter is one of the most efficient filters available. Before I knew much about the nitrogen cycle, I had used one successfully on a goldfish tank for years! The main problem people have with them is a) appearance - they are clunky, and take up a lot of room and b) people think something THAT simple can't work!

But foam filters offer excellent mechanical and biological control - as you know from 'regular' filters that incorporate foam.

Don't worry about the detritis...it kinds holds to the surface of the sponge and you wash it off when you rinse your filter. Easy.