Need flow options...

SugarFox03

SugarFox03

Animal Behaviorist
I have a 26 gal bowfront tank and I have 2 MJ400 powerheads that I want to take out. What do I have as far as options go for good flow in this tank. My return pump is pointed up for surface movement, but I want additional movement for the rest of my corals, without having two ugly powerheads in there. I dont mind one, but I'd rather have something that looks a lot nicer, and will do the work of both...is this possible?

Here's a picture to show where the powerheads are located...just under the return and to the left of the overflow.

<IMG SRC="http://pic16.picturetrail.com/VOL649/4301915/10713628/247456751.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosting by PictureTrail.com">
 
Well, an easy way to get rid of the ugly powerhead look is to plumb them so they run outside of the tank. They will have a single intake tube running water out of the tank and another running water into the tank.

Unfortunately I don't know too much about the chambers back in your tank. I know some people manage to squeeze one into the overflow and cut a hole for the return.

Anyways, HTH a little bit at least.

:) It looks awesome though, but I would like to see those powerheads gone!
 
Could you fit a couple of the smaller microjets or minijets behind the rocks, not a ton of extra flow but a little. Is your tank covered btw? I've been considering a firefish but only have eggcrate and a little concerned about one carpet surfing.
 
good idea--in foster and smith they have some tiny ones with good flow.
OR, maybe just one powerhead but put a hydor flo on it, OR a tube with a y to get in tank flow and flo to surface.

My 16g bowfront has one of those powerheads with the swinging head (powerswing? can't remember he name)--they sell them at petsmart. They take a little hiding of lower half (big sponge thing on it), but they are black, so its fades into my black background.
1 vs 2 would help the looks for you, at least a bit.
 
I would see if you could change the pump you are using for return. Then have a loc line splitter and have one line pointing towards the surface for surface movement, and then one pointed for tank/coral water movement.
 
What do you guys know/think of Tunze Nanostreams? Does anyone know where they can be purchased? Or what about Power Sweer powerheads? I love the look of the Nanostreams though, just havent found a place that sells them. I normally get everything from the Drs, and they don't sell them. :(

I don't think smaller pumps behind my rocks would give my corals up front the movement they need (I could be wrong though?)

Rosseau: I dont have chambers in the tank...its plumbed into a sump underneath the tank. And I would like nothing more than to see them outta there! :)

Goingpostal: No, my tanks completely topless...I've been very lucky with my purple firefish in that he never even comes close to the top of the tank. When he gets scared, he heads to the bottom of the tank and hangs out with the yellow watchman goby. I've never seen him (or her?) past halfway up the tank...he's never been above the bottom of the overflow box. (if that makes sense...)

reefman13: I don't think I can add a different pump without having to redo my entire plumbing system...I'm already having to tone down the return pump as it is, I couldn't add a stronger one...I don't think my overflow could keep up! I'm not a big fan of the loc line look though, but if thats my only choice, I'll go with that. I'm just not sure thats enough flow for the entire tank.

Thanks so much everyone for all of the info/comments!!
 
a picture of my powersweep is in my post on the new 16g bowfront thread fom sirdudeguy--got mine at the doctors, but seen them at petsmart. may not be the beauty you are looking for.

dunno where the tunze are sold--did you look at marinedepot? they carry higher end reef stuff.
 
The Tunze Nanostreams are awesome I am running a 6045 in a 15g AGA tank bare bottom and love the flow the 6045 runs 1189gph the 6025 660 gph and either runs at only 8w

From the looks of your tank and what you are keeping the 6025 is the answer to your flow
 
Thanks doglover & oldreefer!

The Nanostream 6025 is the one I was looking at. Where did you purchase yours?

I will check out marine depot, I've never been to that site.

Thanks again! :)

EDIT: I just looked them up on Marine Depot, and read the reviews...they seem to be not so reliable. Has this changed at all? Do they require a lot of work to keep them going? I don't mind it, I just want to know what to expect.
 
Last edited:
Sugar - Last time I was in Premium Aquatics picking up my order I heard the a tech (don't know his name) talking up the Tunze to a phone customer with a lot of good points. If I remember right he said they are not out yet, or something along those lines. Nonetheless, you might want to give them a call and chat about it.
 
obsled: I believe they are out now, as some reefers have them in their tanks. The March NTOTM has them in their tank, which gave me the idea. :)

Thanks for the info though!!
 
Sugar I have to 6045, the older 6025's had problems the new ones coming in now have had updates to eliminate past problems www.saltycritter.com a sponsor here and lfs will have the new version of the 6025 in any day and there cutomer service is second to none
 
I have a pretty powerful pump hidden behind some rockwork in a 15gal, from there I have a piece of PVC connected with holes drilled in it. Works well. and moves the water throughout. I forgot what type of pump it was and I'd rather not take apart my rocks, or move all my corals. But maybe this idea might work for you, I don't know. I was thinking about the nanostream myself. Goodluck and keep us posted.
Cheers
 
the thing to remember about power heads is there wattage draw vs gph , watts = heat into the tank I eliminated 4 ph to add the 6045 and my temp dropped 4 degrees and I went from 800 gph to 1189 gph
 
Yep...its decided - I'm going to go with the Tunze Nanostream 6025. It seems the best for my system, price isn't bad, and I love the way it looks! Thanks everyone for the information and recommendations...I will be sure to post pics when I get the pump in my tank. I have to wait until my tax return comes in, shouldn't be too long though. :) I'm thinking of sneaking in the Reefkeeper II controller to the order...too bad the boyfriend already knows how much it costs.
 
Heres what I did to my eye sore...
before
MJbefore.jpg

after
MJcover2.jpg


MJcoverdry.jpg


I used the two part epoxy for aquariums and picked just the right pieces and formed them around my MJ, out of the water, after it dryed and I was done playing with it (it took a lot of trial error on the puzzle pieces) put it in my tank, it will some day hold frags or a coral too.
 
I have a hydor flo rotator in mine (love it, had to use crazy glue to kee it on though) and I would also recomend painting your white magnet and power heads black with some krylon fusion spraypaint. It will hide them in the background better.
 
Laverda: I don't want to redo my entire plumbing for a scwd, even though I had thought about it!

Bri Guy, thats a good idea!

I was going to get the hydor, but I dont think it would hide the powerhead very well. I love the look of the Tunze and I'm going to give that a try. I do like the idea of painting the magnet though...I've been thinking of ways to hide that thing. :)

Thanks everyone!! :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
Powerheads
Replies
6
Views
588
wvned
wvned
S
Flow questions
Replies
5
Views
667
Sermanley
S
Anemone
Power Outages
Replies
3
Views
811
alton
alton
DjPhato
Overflow - best option for 90gallon
Replies
7
Views
631
DjPhato
DjPhato
K
Compatibility
Replies
3
Views
634
wvned
wvned
Back
Top