How do i keep my fish from getting sucked into mi water filter?

Question

i have a 2.5 gallon tank and a whisper water filter... the filter sucks in water from the bottom, the water goes through the filter, and is released back out from the top like a little waterfall. but , im afraid that mi fish will get stuck to the bottom of the filter and die (like one of them already did=( ) Please help me, i don't mi fish to die!!!!

Answer 1

Your fish should not get sucked into the filter. I have filters on my tanks that are 3x more powerful than what I need, and I have yet to have a healthy fish get sucked up.
Typically when a fish gets stuck to the filter intake, it was already dead or dying and was just not strong enough to swim away. I would ask what kind of fish you're keeping in a 2.5 gallon tank? There are very, very few fish small enough to fit in a tank that small - in fact, your options are pretty much limited to a betta fish.

That said, if you're really concerned that the intake is too strong, some filters have an adjustable rate. Or you can wrap a nylon sock around the filter intake and hold it in place with an elastic band (this is great if you have baby fish).

Answer 2

The easiest and best way to keep fish and other unwanted items from getting sucked up into your filter since it is so small, take a pill bottle, washed out and label removed. Place in under the intake of your filter. The space around the filter will allow water to be sucked in from the top but yet not have enough space for fish and other particles to be sucked into it. It should hold to the filter intake tube with its own suction. Larger jars and containers are used quite frequently when small fry are in the tank.

I use mason jars on my outside filters to keep the koi fry from being sucked into them (as well as smaller fish and leaves)

Answer 3

I have the same tank as you, the minibow 2.5 gallon tank with a whisper microfilter. The filter will not suck fish in. The filter sucked in the fish because something else killed the fish first and a dead fish is just like debris so the filter just sucked it in. I mean the filter doesn't suck up ghost shrimp, so i highly doubt that it sucked up your fish and killed it. Your fish was probably already dead.

Answer 4

Cover inlet with a sponge cut to fit over tube, I use a piece of tile sponge , or use and old net cut and wrapped around inlet held with rubber band. I just found 6 danios in my canister filter that must have been in there for a month or more and are still alive. Good Luck..><>:)

Answer 5

Lower the speed rating on your filter. If it still continues to happen then you can always put some mesh around your filter head. If you put mesh the filter won't collect anything large. They'll just be stuck on the mesh. To collect the large things, turn your filter of and as it turns off, have a net right below the head to gather all of the large things. Good Luck!

Answer 6

You can get replacement sponges for sponge filters at better pet stores. Get one of these and cut it to fit over the bottom of the filter and no fish will get stuck. Just remember to clean it out when you change water.

MM

Answer 7

If the filter is designed for a 2.5 gallon tank it will not suck the fish in.If it is designed for a larger tank all fish will be sucked in.

Answer 8

hers what you do k you got get a fish sponge its actually used for filiters then you cut a hole in the midital and put your filiter in it make sure it covers your whole tube then your fish wont get stuck because i use to have buble eyes that got stuck alot and this was I did its called Aqua clear filter insert foam rise it off good first k then cut hole in the middle

Answer 9

The filter may have a speed adjustment. Turn it down to the lowest setting.

Answer 10

Go to any animal store and buy a fish strainer.