Power Head Placement

[MadReefer]

Just looking for suggestions on where to place the new powerheads. I currently have one on the left and right side on the back glass. The pumps caused the sand in the corners to blow out and make a small mound on each front corner, see pics. Should I place them in the middle of the back glass pointing L and R? Or should I put them on the L and R side glass pointing them in opposite directions? Any suggestions appreciated.





Thanks,
Mark

 

[downbeach]

It looks like if they are both running at the same time there will be too much flow. Why not put them on opposite sides of the tank so that their flow is diagonally across the tank and run them on a on/off, two hour cycle using timers?

 

[MadReefer]

Jim,
Eventually, I was planning on that but was more concerned where to place them for best flow.

 

[jgraz]

Its does seem like a lot of flow. But they do seem to be pointing down somewhat. How about placing them on opp. sides, back corners, about 1/4 way down, both pointing a bit up towards the front center area. Should get good turbulance and flow.

 

[downbeach]

Jim,
Eventually, I was planning on that but was more concerned where to place them for best flow.

Sorry, I guess I didn't explain that well enough. Place one pump on the right side of the tank toward the rear of the right piece of glass, direct the flow diagonally toward the left front corner of the left side of the tank. Place the other one on the left side of the tank toward the rear of the left piece of glass and direct the flow diagonally toward the right front corner of the right side of the tank.

 

[MadReefer]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will give that a try and see how things look.

 

[MadReefer]

Well, placing them at opposite ends on the back glass tank and pointing opposite didn't seem to work out. Still much flow out front and I didn't like the way the adapters were directing the flow. I decided to place them on glass sides of the tank. It still seems like to much flow and am wondering if I should just use one in the middle and point them to opposite ends.

 

[downbeach]

Well, placing them at opposite ends on the back glass tank and pointing opposite didn't seem to work out. Still much flow out front and I didn't like the way the adapters were directing the flow. I decided to place them on glass sides of the tank. It still seems like to much flow and am wondering if I should just use one in the middle and point them to opposite ends.

Are you still trying to run them both together at the same time, or one at a time?

 

[MadReefer]

Right now at the same time. Probably not a good idea. I will see what the flow is like and decide if one should come out until I can get a controller.

 

[downbeach]

Right now at the same time. Probably not a good idea. I will see what the flow is like and decide if one should come out until I can get a controller.

I would leave them both in there and just get a digital timer like this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WOODS-DIGIT...175?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item43abb02f27

(or two individual timers)

and program them so they will run opposite each other on 2 hour cycles(or whatever timetable you like). It sounds like if they both run at the same time it's too much flow for your tank.

 

[shipwrecked]

Are those powerheads controllable?

 

[MadReefer]

Tony, I don't know the answer to your question. There no mention of it either way.

 

[shipwrecked]

A gd way to know is if (lets use this as a test,say if they were a strand of lights,unplu and re plug them in to make them blink) if they make a clank or clatter noise then chances are they wouldnt be controllable or if they were for a few,in the long run they would break down.I tried this with a koralia(old one) and it made a hec of a noise,made the decision to locate it to anothe tank and leave it on full time.

 

[MadReefer]

The noise is minimal compared to the koralia.

 

[MadReefer]

Until I get some type of controller I took one pump out of the system for now. I placed the other in the middle back glass pointing in opposite directions.


Edit: I forgot to mention that the two pumps caused some irritation on my hippo tang. Looks like little air bubbles or sand on its body. It still has a healthy appetite so hopefully it will survive.

I also did a 10g water change today.

 

[Fish Brain]

Are you sure the white spots aren't Ich?

 

[MadReefer]

It could be ick. The hippo is not looking well tonight. It came on very fast; as the whole body is covered. Was not like that yestrday.