[jenhuei]

Hi All. I have just start my journey in Planted Tank about a months back doing extensive reading and finally take the plunge and got myself a Fluval Flex 15G.

I have pretty much finish my setup and are currently 1 week into DSM. I am using ADA Amazonia normal type substrate with a layer of Seachem Black sand on top. It hit me suddenly that i might have problem with the water flow as the vent to filter media compartment is completely cover by soil. During the setting up I initially thought that water will be able to travel thru the porous soil however I am starting to seeing some issue,

1. Over time the Amazonia soil will become compact and the space between the soil will no longer be there hence blocking the flow of water.

2. In the event that water does manage to pass thru the soil, it will be constantly leaching amonia into the water that need to constantly travel thru the soil to reach the filter media.

Is this a cause for concern? Look forward to some advice and hopefully be able to share their experience?

 

[somewhatshocked]

Flourite Black Sand? If so, it's ultimately going to get mixed in with the Amazonia over time. Which won't really be a problem - just be prepared. And Amazonia won't break down as quickly as you think it will.

The lower intake on the Flex is there to prevent filter burnout if you allow the water level to drop below the upper intake, so you shouldn't have a problem. You could seal it up entirely if you wanted. Just be sure to do top-offs so you still have water flow into the filter compartment.

 

[jenhuei]

Flourite Black Sand? If so, it's ultimately going to get mixed in with the Amazonia over time. Which won't really be a problem - just be prepared. And Amazonia won't break down as quickly as you think it will.

The lower intake on the Flex is there to prevent filter burnout if you allow the water level to drop below the upper intake, so you shouldn't have a problem. You could seal it up entirely if you wanted. Just be sure to do top-offs so you still have water flow into the filter compartment.

Thanks for your insight. However giving the chance since i have not flooded the tank i m thinking to dig up some soil at the back and put up a barrier between the soil n vent (a mesh with rock perhaps) to allow water to flow. I am also concern about dead zone if solely rely on the upper intake.

 

[somewhatshocked]

There won't be much of a dead zone because of the way the Flex is designed. I have the smaller version and find that the bowed front glass directs water everywhere in the tank. My lower intake is mostly blocked by plants and stainless steel mesh I have siliconed over the grating (to prevent shrimp and smaller substrate particles from getting sucked up) and I haven't had an issue in two years.

 

[minorhero]

Thanks for your insight. However giving the chance since i have not flooded the tank i m thinking to dig up some soil at the back and put up a barrier between the soil n vent (a mesh with rock perhaps) to allow water to flow. I am also concern about dead zone if solely rely on the upper intake.

There is a similar intake vent on my old fluval spec v. I routinely covered it up when scaping and never had an issue. /shrug it's your tank and you can do whatever you want with it, but you don't have to change anything for your tank to run normally.

 

[jenhuei]

There is a similar intake vent on my old fluval spec v. I routinely covered it up when scaping and never had an issue. /shrug it's your tank and you can do whatever you want with it, but you don't have to change anything for your tank to run normally.

That is reassuring. In that case i will keep it as it is. Thanks for the feedback.