Guys...I've been reading up and apparently a too strong current can cause stress to your fish. I have a 46 gallon tank and two Penguin 200s and two bubble wants that are attached by suction cups along the back wall - the bubble wands together are about 14 inches - do you think this is too much current?

If it is, how can I adjust my Penguin filters for less current? I am not sure how to do that....

I hope someone else will help here, because I don't know how to turn down the penguins, either. But I do know the current is too strong if your fish cannot find a resting place in the tank. They should be able to stay in one place while sleeping with only minor adjustments of their fins. If they don't have a quiet sleeping place, it's too much. HTH!


BTW, it doesn't sound as if the turnover in the tank is too great; you should turn over the water about ten himes in an hour.

You have nothing to worry about as far as too much current is concerned. As a matter of fact, your two Penguin 200 filters are barely adequate filtration for a 46 gallon tank. You might even give some thought to upgrading and replacing one of the Penguin 200s with a Penguin 350.

I back Bak2it on this one. You need a bigger filter. I have a topfin 40 in my 20 gallon. It moves 200 gph which is good for a 20 gallon but not enough for a 46 gallon. If you are straped for cash , try petsmart. They have topfin filters and I believe they have a 60 that moves 300gph. They are made by wishper and are inexpensive. Anyway you go they need a bigger filter .

I agree about the greater gph needed.... but....

As long as you provide a place where the fish can rest from the current, even larger currents can be fine. There are tricks to just about anything.

In some tanks, I place a rock or a set of plants to block the current. This makes the "sweet spot" that the fish need to be able to hover and sleep when they wish.

In other tanks I can turn the inputs or aim the spray bars at the walls. In overflows I have added a ledge of plastic to extend the waterfall to spread out across the surface in tanks where the fish are weaker or having problems.

Ok..so it is ok to have one Penguini 200 and a Penguin 350 - that won't cause any problems?

ABSOLUTELY!

Hi Daryl, me again - the pet store had no more Penguin 350's - so instead, I bought a 150 to add to my 2 Penguin 200s - is that ok? That will give me 550 gph, right? I also emailed someone at Marineland because I wanted to get extension parts for my two Penguin 200s..that should help a lot right?

If you put enough intake tubes on the filter so that the strainer reaches the gravel or tank bottom (if yours is bare bottom) it will keep it cleaner!! Too bad you still have to do gravel cleanings tho!!