Deco Rock > Clogged Stream

[alrha]

i have added the deco rock to hide my stream in the tank. firstly, while it was much bigger than i had anticipated, i found it difficult to place in my tank - trying to find an area that is accessible, aiming the flow well, a platform to place it on, and an area where i would not place corals while having it accessible so that i can remove it for maintenance without disrupting my whole set-up (i.e. if you have any pictures or suggestions on placement, i would appreciate it).
but now in addition to the added vibration noise (hum) it gives off at it switches from higher to lower power (via controllet) i noticed that my flow was coming out very week. when i took the stream out of the rock, i noticed it got all clogged up with algae and gunk from the tank. when the stream was out in the open, fish, cleaners etc. where able to pick the stuff off the intake and i was able to wipe it off every now and then to keep it in full swing. but in the rock, the smaller area makes it clog easier and much more difficult to clean.
do you have any suggestions to remedy this?
-Albert

 

[rvitko]

Over time your tank will have less algae and detritus being swirled up and this should be reduced. You know that you just have to put your hand over the outlet to clean it right? I would run a mechanical filter as now that you have increased flow lots of algaes like valonia will find the aquarium uninhabitable and detach and detritus will be suspended. As for the noise, it really shouldn't be that loud, a slight noise is audible but that goes away with time. I strongly suggest dissassembling the pump and making sure all parts are installed properly and are clean. My only other recommendation is making sure the top solid part of the intake is up near the top of the rock.

http://homepage.mac.com/rogervitko/PhotoAlbum4.html

The photo on this site was from the first test of the Stream rock and demonstrates a proper install. Just give it time to get grown over, several people have posted very favorable reviews of the Stream Rock and all say that once it is grown over with coralline it is impossible to tell it apart from the other rock.

 

[alrha]

i didnt know putting my hand over the output would do the trick.
good idea, thanks.
(least night i turned the solid part to face the top of the rock as you suggested).
Thanks.

 

[alrha]

that picture looks nice, but my tank isnt nearly as big. its only a 72 gal (48 inches long) and it takes up a significant part of my tank. i may choose to just hide the pump behind a rock rather than use the Deco-Rock. would i be able to just place it on/under another rock? or does it need to be held by the output like it is in the deco-rock?

 

[rvitko]

My concern with positioning it in the rock is the potential for damage if it were to fall and get gravel inside of it. I would also make sure you put it where you can clean it. Perhaps you could just remove a small bit of your live rock to make room for the Stream rock or position the stream rock at a slightly upturned angle to make it more narrow.

 

[alrha]

ok, i will look into that. thanks.