Best way to position power heads

[zmazza]

I have a 29 gallon FOWLR and I'm wanting to know the best way to position my power heads. I had a spare maxi-jet 1000 with no 'deflector' to go on the output, and a newly purchased maxi-jet 600. I have around 50lbs + of live / base rock in my tank right now.

Which powerhead should I put the 'deflector' on and whats the best way to position them in my tank? This is my first saltwater tank and first time using power heads, so I don't know how to direct the flow or what to direct it at.

Thanks.

 

[smleee]

To start out, place one in each corner on the back wall of the tank up near the top. Point them at the front glass, angled a little to the midde of the front glass. You want some of the flow to make some surface current on the top of your water, this will help with oxygen exchange (don't go too much, because you will get salt spray) as long as you can see the surface moving you're ok. Now take a look at where the flow is going in the tank, try to get rid of any dead spots by directing the outputs - you want to get flow to all parts of the tank. I don't use the defectors, as I think they take a little away from the ouput, but you may need them to further direct the current.

eee

 

[chip721]

There's no hard and fast rule for positioning pwr heads. Tank aquascaping and inhabitants vary; so you simply have to see what works best for your setup. Generally, you'll want to have your pwr heads intersect from opposite ends of the tank, deflect off tank walls, or rock work. A deflected stream is better than a forceful direct one. Think of standing in front of a water hose. For the pwr head with no deflector you might consider one of these Hydors . They're inexpensive and effective for dispersing flow.

 

[zmazza]

I have one of the deflectors, as it came with the 600. The 1000 I bought when I first got into fishkeeping because I thought it was an air pump for air stones hahaha! I later found out it was a power head. So needless to say, it didn't come with a deflector or anything like that.

So with one deflector, would it be better for it to go on the more powerful powerhead? So both powerheads should be placed in opposite corners and pointed towards the front glass? So it is deflected down towards the substrate and then towards the rock? A circular motion, if you will?

 

[smleee]

That's a good place to start. In the end you want to get flow in/around to all parts of the tank.

eee

 

[zmazza]

Which one should I put the deflector on and which direction should I point it?

 

[smleee]

Either one you want, or neither....just put those powerheads in your tank and start experimenting.

eee

 

[zmazza]

So... Put the 600 on the left side of the tank (for example) with no deflector and face it towards the front of the glass, and put the 1000 on the right side, with no deflector, and point it towards the front glass and go with it?

 

[smleee]

Sure
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|....X................................ X....|
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Something like that........(overhead view). Adjust from there to get flow in all parts of the tank.

eee

Ok, just ignore all the dots...

 

[zmazza]

I like the drawing... but what is the best way to adjust the flow towards the center when you don't have a deflector?

 

[smleee]

If you have maxi-jets, the output should rotate from side to side, just twist it in the direction you want. (Not sure about the MJ1000 though, as I haven't really seen those, are they still selling them?)

eee

 

[zmazza]

I'm an idiot. You are exactly right. That's a good idea. Sorry to act like such a newb. Haha!

So just turn the output slightly towards the center? Sounds awesome. I'll give it a try!

Thanks a bunch for all the help, smleee.

 

[smleee]

Sure. That's why I told you to put 'em in and start playing with them! Don't worry, we've all been there before.

eee

 

[HowardW]

Do what smleee says or point them so the flow hits each other and disperses in the middle of the tank. You are looking to get a random turbulent flow with no specific direction that hits as much of the tank as possible to avoid dead spots.

 

[zmazza]

Hmm .. Having them flow into each other sounds like a good idea. I thought you wanted consistent water movement, such as circular movement. I thought random turbulent waters would stress fish / corals.

 

[HowardW]

No, you do not want a consistent circular movement but rather a random turbulent motion like the ocean is. Sometimes pointing powerheads towards each other from opposite corners helps to do this.

 

[zmazza]

Should I set them up in the corners and then turn the nozzles towards each other? That way the turbulence is over the live rock?

 

[fishfreak2407]

I dont mean to hijack your thread.BUT.....right now in my empty 16 gall bow I have rio 800. should this be enough?? or should I add another small one on the other side.right now it is kinda swirling around??I thought it was pretty good until I read this thread and the tank is empty so I when I add the rock im sure the flow will change, good or bad I dont know?....thnx

 

[HowardW]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7103615#post7103615 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zmazza
Should I set them up in the corners and then turn the nozzles towards each other? That way the turbulence is over the live rock?

Yes, or any way that you can simulate a completely random movement of the water and try to avoid dead spots near the substrate if possible. There is no set way, just to experiment and watch the flow in the tank and adjust slightly if necessary, no two tanks are exactly alike.

 

[HowardW]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7103702#post7103702 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fishfreak2407
I dont mean to hijack your thread.BUT.....right now in my empty 16 gall bow I have rio 800. should this be enough?? or should I add another small one on the other side.right now it is kinda swirling around??I thought it was pretty good until I read this thread and the tank is empty so I when I add the rock im sure the flow will change, good or bad I dont know?....thnx

You don't want a constant one-way swirling motion if possible. Two powerheads will always work better than one in my opinion. Shoot for a bare minimum of 10X per hr. flow.