powerhead config

[latazyo]

I need some flow in my tank to eliminate dead spots

my return pump is a mag12 (cut back with gate valve due to drain size restrictions) put through dual 1/2" locline outputs

the mag provides me with good volume turnover, but I need current and flow within the display itself...I have low water movement speed and a lot of dead spots, so I am thinking a wide flow pump is my solution......tunzes are not even close to my price range

the tank's dimensions are 24x18x18

I am trying to decide between 1 x seio 620, 2 x 620, or 1 x 820

any advice?

I was told the MJ mod would be a little too much for my small tank...anyone agree or disagree?

 

[Reggae Fish]

Where is your overflow/overflows

 

[DrBDC]

I would do 2 1100's on a controller so that half the time they'd only be 550's. Or 2 820's w/o controller (only because they can't be run on them).

 

[latazyo]

its a center overflow

Roy, you dont think dual 1100s would be ridiculous in my 24" tank?

 

[Reggae Fish]

Listen to roy. He's had that controller 2 days now. :lol:

Actually, I agree in which I would do 2- 1100's but if you don't have the money, no controller.

Depending on where your overflow is located, and if you're strapped for cash you could get away with a 1500 with the mag-12 if positioned just right.

 

[JxMetal]

Get 2 820's. I need to be running 2 820's. But I'm too poor and am running an 820 and a 620.

 

[Reggae Fish]

If your overflow is in the center you could point 2 of the 1100's or 820's right at each other and use your loclines for any dead spots. Shouldn't be overkill. Ask chadfarmer. I think he has 47 Tunze 6100's in his tank

But also depends on what you are keeping

 

[JxMetal]

a 1500. no way man, you'll have stuff flying everywhere. there's just not enough length in your tank to let the water disperse. An 1100 would probably be the same problem. It'll hit the glass and go straight down and boom sand everywhere. They'd only work in a barebottom with a tank that size..

Get the 820's, point them across the tank and you'll have perfect flow.

 

[latazyo]

yeah, its only 24" across and 18" tall and wide

if I got a medium flow MJ1200 mod would that work better than 2 humungous seios?

or would that MJ still have too much flow

here's a pic of the tank...center overflow, and center rockwork
(the locline in the photo is the old 3/4" stuff)

 

[JxMetal]

don't use the MJ either. I'm dead serious, the best you can do is the 820's. my tank is 22" across. When the 820 is pointed straight across the tank with no interference I have sand moving all over. I eventually had to place some rock in the way of the flow to minimize the sand movement. 2 820's would probably give you no dead spots even without the returns from your sump.

 

[latazyo]

and I'll still have a tank that is softie friendly and fish friendly?

 

[Im Lon 2]

Could you upgrade you return pump? So you don't have to run 2 Power heads in your tank at all? Have you tired to see how much more flow you get with out the locline? That will reduce a ton of flow to the tank. I wonder if the Eductors would give you added flow from that size pump.

 

[latazyo]

I have the mag12 (which is about twice as big a pump as I thought I would need originally) cut back via gate valve because it moves so much volume that it floods my tank (I have a single 1" drain)

I am thinking about re-plumbing the return line since I have all of that BS....do you think that the cross (which is no longer necesssary) is holding me back?

here is a shot of all the BS the water goes through just to get into the tank....it is 1" PVC, which then splits into dual 3/4" and then is reduced to 1/2" locline outputs

I am thinking about redoing the plumbing from the pump to the tank

if the mag12 has 3/4" outlets, should I plumb it with 3/4" PVC or with 1"?? I thought I heard somewhere that having a larger pipe would help the pump out...not sure if that's true....ultimately it will be reduced to dual 1/2" lines at the tank itself

 

[Im Lon 2]

Making sure I read what you put right. The pump is bigger than your tank will drain? If that is correct there is no point in redoing the return lines, if the tank will not handle it open full now.

Try the eductors. They are designed to give you more flow by pulling water from the tank as well as from the pump.

I have two of them on my tank, if you want to see how the work.

 

[JxMetal]

Yes your tank will still be softy friendly with 2 820's

 

[latazyo]

where do I find eductors?

 

[Im Lon 2]

contact Thereefstop.com they are not on his site but I'm 99% sure he can get them.

 

[latazyo]

do you like the eductors?

 

[levon15]

2 820's ??

His tank is what 30-35 gallons(for argument sake say 32 gallons.)? Two 820's would give him 1640gph in the display. I figure that to be about 51 times the amount of volume in the display. Plus he has a toned down mag 12 throwing say 500gph through the return so now your at a circulation 66 times the size of the display. Am I missing something here?

And he wants softies?

I am really confused. It seems that all of this may be overkill. I think maybe try one 620 or one 820. Seems like a lot of flow in a smaller tank.

 

[DrBDC]

On my 36" tank 2 1500's were just fine for xenia, anthelia, anything. The wide flow really is much different.