Okay, I am new to the fish world and I never knew it was so COMPLICATED. Our latest aquarium is a small 2.5 gallon 'kit' that comes with a whisper power filter which hooks over the back of the tank (filter IN the water, of course). My problem (concern) is that the CORD that operates the filter, goes right down into the water, too. It attaches at the BOTTOM of the filter, so there is no avoiding it being submerged in water. It is SUPPOSED to be in the water, but that just seems so wrong and dangerous! Is that how most filters are?? The cord goes right in the water?? Or is it because we have an inexpensive 'hobby' tank, rather than a serious tank?? Is my daughter going to be electrocuted??

By Colette on Monday, March 20, 2006 - 05:00 pm:

I have a Whisper on my tank and the cord is outside the tank not in the water.

By Kaye on Monday, March 20, 2006 - 05:35 pm:

We have three tanks. One isn't set up, but the other two have different set ups. One has power heads, these are mechanical filters/blowers that sit ontop of those tubes in the back. They have cords that are submerged in water. However our play tank (10 gallon), has the undergravel type filter. There is a little box that plugs in, then tubes hook to that and down those tubes (it mostly airates). There are no cords in the water. My thought is maybe you have it set up wrong. The other thought is, if it is set up correctly then the wires are meant to be submerged and it is okay.

By Unschoolmom on Monday, March 20, 2006 - 05:37 pm:

What's the model number on your filter Kate?

By Luvn29 on Monday, March 20, 2006 - 06:16 pm:

Many of the filters that hang on the aquariums hang on the back of the aquariums and only the lip of the filter hangs over into the water. The biggest part of the aquarium, including the part with the cord, hangs over the back of the aquarium, never touching the water. But if this is the kind you have, then I'm not sure how you could possibly have it placed on your aquarium so it fits right, but wrong....

So if it is placed correctly, then I'd say it is meant to be in the water. But mine isn't in the water, so I am not experienced with that kind...

By Luvn29 on Monday, March 20, 2006 - 06:19 pm:

See how this one hangs over the edge?

By Kate on Monday, March 20, 2006 - 06:50 pm:

http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441779403&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302030056&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023693&bmUID=1142898537873&itemNo=2&In=Fish&N=2030056&Ne=2

Well, that is my tank, but it doesn't show the filter! Again, I have the 2.5 gallon one and the whole filter definitely belongs in the water...it just rather freaks me out.

By Kaye on Monday, March 20, 2006 - 08:00 pm:

If you click on the picture it does kind of show the filter (okay the whole filter but no cords). My power heads have cords in the water, it has never shocked us..LOL. If that is how it is made it will be fine.