FOWLR Powerheads

[TheRegion83]

Do I need to have a powerhead in the tank? I currently have a 220 gal fish only with live rock and took out my powerhead because it was growing algae on it and looked ugly.

 

[vcam]

Even though you don't have a reef, I still think the flow is a necessary part of the aquarium.

It lets the fish swim around and help keep them healthy. In the wild, they live in huge currents and the idea is to replicate that environment.

Besides the natural appeal, It is also needed in order to suspend food and particles in the water column. I think your water quality would degrade without one.

 

[thegrun]

For a fish only tank you should still shoot for about 20 turn overs per hour (4400 gph). You could run all that flow through your sump to avoid powerheads, but it would be very energy inefficient to do so. Almost all of us opt for in tank powerheads because they move a lot of water without using a lot of power. You might consider MP-40 pumps since they have a small in tank footprint.

 

[cougareyes]

Not only are powerheads important to keep dietritus at a minimum but it is healthy for the fish. It replicates a more natural enviroment for the fish. Just by watching the activity of the fish in a tank with flow and crossflow and turbulance; you can see a much more vibrant energy.