Eheim 2213 (250) Classic, flow too strong

My Eheim Classic 2213 arrived and I set it up for my 20 gallon. After getting through the instructions and starting it up, I immediately noticed my poor cardinal tetras fighting the flow. It seems like it's just too powerful.

Is there a way to limit the flow rate or should I return it for a smaller model?

Cheers

 

Close the tap from the incoming line to where you want it, and no, don't get a smaller one. Bigger means more media.

 

After some days the media will start clogging a bit and the flow will reduce.
Most fish really like quite a current.
Maybe point the outlet another way?

No Cory no glory

 

Instead of reducing the flow, distribute it.

Take 4 pvc pipes (2 x tank width and 2 x tank length) linkup with 4 pvc elbows to form a rectangular spray bar.
The pvc spray bars and connecter must not be glued and can be rotated according to flow requirements.

Join in the return pipe from cannister via 2 elbows (creates a u - connector) over tank side with a t-connector placed inside the rectangular spray bar. The pvc fittings joining from cannister to t-connector must be glued.
The spray bar connection joining into t-connection are not glued.

Now drill holes evenly spaced in all 4 bars, 1 to 2 inches with 3 mm holes works fine.

End result is 4 directional spray bar system, Left bar and front bar spray downward while right and back bars spray horizontal across water level.

If flow is still too strong you can set all 4 bars to spray horizontal.

I run a 3000 lt/h pump on my goldfish tank and they don't even know what strong flow is, I even joined up the 2nd powerhead from my under gravel filters into the same spray-bar rectangle.

You can even add female connectors and create a 8-way directional spray system.

Works wonders.

Top View



Return from cannister join into t-connector

Return from internal powerhead

 

Thanks guys, but I returned the filter. It was incredibly loud too and was probably defective.