Is there such thing as having too much current in an aquarium?

Question

I have a 10 gallon aquarium with 2 dwarf cichlids in it. I have a filter that filters UP TO 150 gallons per hour and a 5-15 gallon air pump with a 6 inch air stone is this too much current? There are caves in which the cichlids will be able to escape the current. Im cycling my aquarium currently and will buy the dwarfs in a week. Thanks for answers!

Answer 1

You will know if too much current is resulting in overoxygenation if you see a buildup of bubbles on the surface of the tank. Overoxygnation is a bad thing usually caused by too powerful of a filter. (It rarely happens, people usually err to the side of too conservative in the filtration department.) If you are wondering if the fish like the current, watch them carefully. If they keep getting swept up in it, it is too strong. But sometimes you have a flow director, and you can redirect the flow to rebound off a wall and soften the current. If they can swim past or through the current, it is O.K. for the fish and can definitely help the tank "breathe" better.

Answer 2

150 GPH is going to create too much of a current for that small of an aquarium. Something that does 40 GPH would be plenty.

Buying that large of a filter would be like buying an air pump that is made for a 60 gallon aquarium. Its overkill to the point that it would bother the fish.

Answer 3

I believe it would depend upon what type of fish you have in your tank. A strong current could quite possibly hurt smaller fish.

Answer 4

Yes, you can have too much current for some species of fish. That's why I warned you about it in your last question.

MM

Answer 5

idk