Planted aquarium circulation/dead spots

[AmyLynn]

I think I am still having a bit of a circulation issue in the 75g. I am running an eheim ecco 2234 and a Rena XP2. My parameters are always good Amm - 0, Nitrites 0, last time I tested trates i was at 20. But I am always finding a lot of spots in the tank that are collection sites for debris and plant particles. It's always the same spots. So, I don't think I'm getting enough movement on the bottom of the tank to keep everything from settling into the little dead spots. I had hoped that adding the XP2 with a spray bar would fix the issue, but if I aim the spray bar down the fish struggle to swim in the water stream. If I aim it up I get a lot of surface movement, but that's about it.

:help:

[kross]

If rearranging the filter outputs doesn't do it, you can always add a small powerhead.

[MCHRKiller]

Powerheads with quick filters or some internal filters work very well for fixing this problem. Keeps the bottom of your tank clean and keeps things moving. Plus in dense planting it is easy to hide these filters.

[AmyLynn]

I do remember now the suggestion of an internal filter. Think I'll have to go shopping around. Have nothing else to do today.

Ok, so what should I look for in an internal filter? Do I need anything of substantial size? What type of media should I use?

[Aeonflame]

The regular sponge media that comes with it will be fine. Its just a powerhead attached to a sponge filter.

[Goes to 11!]

The regular sponge media that comes with it will be fine. Its just a powerhead attached to a sponge filter.

A powerhead w a spnge filter on it is exacly what I use in my 90g but I still have a few dead spots despite having an AC70, 2215 & 2217.

Meh - It's not horrrible when you know exactly where you are going to vacuum :hmm3grin2orange:.

[AmyLynn]

I can still vaccuum back there right now as long as I'm careful. I did uproot some of the newer jungle vals last time though. Kinda wish the tube for my python was a bit longer and slimmer so I could get it into the plants better. I know I can buy a longer one, but not sure they have them any skinnier.

[Goes to 11!]

Lol

I have the opposite problem - My debris settles in a nice open HIGHLY visible spot :help: But I am happy with the rest of the flow so I live with it instead of screwing up everything that's right trying to fix it. :hmm3grin2orange:
[I actually saw a brave lone RSC female hitting the buffet out there the other day - I Didnt know there were any left lol]

Have you considered a DIY tube of pvc from Home Despot or simply taking the tube off and just using the hose [Possibly attached to a rod or stick of some sort for more control - Just throwing ideas out there]?

[Fishin Phil]

Here is an idea for the hard to reach spots: I use about a four or five foot length of tubing a little smaller in diameter than the main hose part of the python as a vacuum and drain it into a bucket.

I just do this for the hard to reach spots, then switch to the python for the bulk of the water change.

[AmyLynn]

Might try just the hose if it will reach without the section the tube is on. All buckets are stored down in the garage and I tend to not want to haul them. LOL I live in an apartment and our garage is on the opposite side of the parking lot.

[pjaldave]

if i understand you correctly, you have a densely planted tank, and you're trying to not vacuum the dead spot which has a lot of plants beside it?

if that's the case, i don't think you need to do something about it. if there are a lot of plants on that spot, they will just use those debris for their own food/mineral source.

but then, if it really bugs you, i would go with a powerhead with a quick filter attached to it for a better circulation. :)

[AmyLynn]

There is too much debris in spots, which leads to bad water quality low, which leads to unhealthy cories. I think part of the issue is that the rosies do pick at the plants some and I'm constantly vacuuming that up. Along with any crypt melt.