Where Should A Filter Be Placed In A Fish Tank

If you're using an internal, air powered, or under-gravel filter, then y'all want it to be at to the lowest degree completely submerged, with all of the filter existence visibly positioned entirely under the surface of the water and none of it above the water line.

The depth it is positioned at doesn't really matter, so long every bit it is totally underwater. Other than that, you lot can put it wherever you want – in a corner, tucked abroad and subconscious past appropriate tank foliage, is probably the best place.

This is why the majority of internal fish tank filters come with suction cups or hooks to be securely positioned inside without causing harm to the creatures in your tank. Do NOT USE A Glue OR OTHER ADHESIVE TO HANG THE FILTER!

So long as you tin see bubbling clearly rising, and water existence efficiently and effectively drawn through the filter, and then information technology'south working correctly. Of course, an under-gravel filter, equally the name suggests, is placed beneath tank gravel.

Canister or HOB (hang on back) filters, those that are positioned exterior of the tank, are not designed to exist submerged. They must always stay outside of the tank, ensuring that the outlet is positioned at least two inches to a higher place the h2o line.

Even if you think it would look better with them within the tank, information technology's not worth the risk. Non simply could information technology impede the function of your filter, only information technology could also cause impairment to your poor fish and their plant friends, besides!

How Deep Should The Filter Be In A Fish Tank

How Deep Should My Aquarium Filter Intake Be?

Toward the tank'due south lesser! Almost fish owners would advise that when you're using a canister filter for your tank, the intake tube needs to exist at least two inches from the lesser. This means water tin be sucked up efficiently and quickly cleaned out.

Non only that, but it also prevents whatever debris from the lesser of the tank, like pebbles or plants, from being sucked into the tube when the filter is in action. Unless you want a blocked tube, keep it a little fleck raised above potential obstructions.

You tin position it college upwards if you like, merely the lower it is, the less likely y'all'll exist able to see the intake screen – an important part of the intake tube that stops your precious fish and other creatures from being taken into the filter accidentally!

Of course, that doesn't matter to everybody, only some people who keep aquariums similar to preserve the near natural aesthetic possible, and then anything similar visible filters and pipes must be hidden or disguised to avert ruining the illusion.

There isn't a strict guideline for depth, so information technology might take a niggling bit of trial and error with repositioning in lodge for you lot to find the spot that works best for your specific filter system, tubing and tank. As long every bit it'south clean and the fish are happy – no problem!

Does A Canister Filter Have To Be Below The Tank?

Yes, unless yous don't want information technology to be installed correctly and filter the way it's supposed to! A canister filter must always be placed directly below the aquarium, considering they require the forcefulness of gravity in order to properly function.

Depending on how tall your tank is, y'all might be able to position the canister abreast the aquarium, rather than underneath it, but you'll observe that this significantly weakens the filter's power to siphon water, rendering it pretty much useless for the intended function.

Information technology doesn't necessarily need to be an eyesore, however. You tin hide information technology in a cupboard underneath the tank, provided all of the tubing and the power cord is able to come up through the dorsum of the unit somehow and then fed into the h2o.

Don't try and experiment with its positioning either. Standing upright vertically is the best mode to ensure the filter functions every bit information technology is supposed to, and that your fish volition accept the nicest environment possible.

Although you can technically lay a canister filter onto its side and information technology will still function, this will cause the internal filtration system to be less successful, and could cause random contaminants to stay in your water as they sink to the "bottom" of the canister, which is actually its side.

Plus, the components inside the filter will have to work harder in order to part properly, which ways they volition wear out and pause downward faster, which ways you'll probably need to buy yourself a new filtration system way sooner than planned.

Given that they tin can be pretty expensive purchases, you want yours to last as long as possible. Therefore, y'all should always use it as the manufacturer recommends, and never stray from their instructions unless you lot want to void whatever warranty!