My goldies tend to mostly stay on one side of the tank as the filter and the intake/outlet is on the other end. If I move the filter to the other end they go to the opposite end. Obviously they don't like the current even though it is not really strong. Is there a way to lessen that current, such as maybe putting a few pebbles in the filter itself to take up some of the room. Maybe that wouldn't make any difference. I would appreciate any thoughts on this.

What size of tank do you have and what filter is on the tank?

I have a 10 gallon with a whisper filter made for a 5-15 gallon tank. I think it's an Aqua-Tech filter.

Is this the one you have?

http://fishinthe.net/html/images/reviews/filter_whisper.gif

It looks similar only mine is a black plastic instead of a smoke color.

Ooh. I have one of those filters. Pretty puny current. I once tried taping the hood (black plastic with vents) to the outflow. You could also fill the water to the lip of the outflow so there's no waterfall.

Good luck... maybe your goldfish just are getting used to the filter? I had the opposite problem as you... my betta would hang around the intake, get part of his fins stuck in it, and then freak out. Repeat ad nauseum.

If the filter doesn't come with a "speed control" kind of thing, I understand that the only way would be to change/reduce the power supply of the filter - perhaps you can find someone who can tamper with the electrics of this

What I have done with my external filter is to use a special output tube...this tube has several small holes that hence disperses outflowing water to a larger surface than just one strong outflow. I found this easily from my lsf I think.

Have a think on how the water is flowing in your tank. Is there a way to place large ornaments that can block the flow (not completely) such as to create a peaceful area for the fish? I also have a large hollow ornament that protects the goldies from the strong part of the current - my baby goldies seem to have learnt to utilise this space after a while

I read somewhere (Rick Hess's book) that you can use a piece of filter floss and drape it from the outflow into the tank. This reduces the current. I suppose you'd have to tape it to stop it from falling out though..

These are great ideas! Thank you all for your input. I may have to try some of these. Thank you!!