So I am getting back into the hobby after about 20 years out. I had (2) 125Gal Salt water tanks back in 1989 (ok longer than 20 years). A divorce forced me to quit for a while. Man have things changed. So I've purchased a 150 Gal (48 x 24 x 24), I have a 40 Gal sump tank. I have purchased the apex gold and 2 wav power heads. In addition I got the Vortec L1 pump and the Radon lights. My first project is to build a new stand for the tank. The old one was just not going in the house. I'll have that done in a week or so I think (my first time building raised panel doors). Next I want to build a Foam/Rock wall for the back and left side. I need to leave space on the wall for the Wav power heads. The tank is going to set in a corner so the back and left side will have walls behind them. I'd like to avoid a power head on the right wall because it will face into the room (I'd like that wall clear but not a must have). My thought is I'd put one on the left side panel and one on the back near the right side panel. The idea is to taper the wall down and leave an open area for the power heads. I've read they need to be at least 5" down from the water line. Should one be higher or lower than the other ETC. I know it would be easier if the tank was full and I could move them around but I was hoping to avoid putting water in just yet. Any thoughts?
power head placement
- Thread starter jimbow
- Start date
Reef Frog
New member
I liked having the ability to move my powerheads around as my reef matured from frags and small colonies to large mature colonies. It sounded like you might be choosing a single & final location as you build your aquascape? But this may not be as important for powerheads placed on the rear pane.
I also like powerheads placed on the side walls to maximize flow profiles and options.
I also like powerheads placed on the side walls to maximize flow profiles and options.
A single placement is what I am debating. I am also still thinking I might only build a wall for the left side. That would let me move the other one most anyplace. I'd like to keep the right end free of obstruction it is pointing toward my family room so it would be nice to see it without a big black blob in the middle. BUT looking at dead coral and fish without the blob isn't much of an upside.
davehead86
New member
What is the rationale for having a powerhead at least 5 inches from the top? Mine sits like 2 inches from the top to help create waves / gas exchange. Ill change it though if it causes some sort of problem.
Davehead86, Frankly I read someplace that the Wav pumps cause issues if higher in the tank. Having said that it was on the internet and I don't remember why it was or what problem it caused. I am starting to lean to just doing something on the one wall and forget about the back at least until I see how everything sorts out.
davehead86
New member
That makes sense.
5 inches still seems very low in the tank, almost halfway for some peoples tanks.
JohannesFTL
New member
I have 2x RW-15 in my 150gallon (60x24x24) tank. Right now they are turned to the lowest speed on "else" mode. Still get a little movement of the sand bed every once in a while and nice movement at the top with them placed almost mid tank.
Yeah, the 5 inch thing is, from my understanding, to make sure you circulate only water and don't get air in the system, plus I imagine you'd make some pretty hefty waves if they were any higher (I've never tried). As far as your powerhead wall placement goes, I think if you leave the back panel one flexible to allow you to change your flow more dynamically as your coral age, you should be fine with the fixed one on the other wall.
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