powerhead flow

[littlefoot]

with two powerheads would you set them up right across from each other because it seems to me one would kind of act against other or when current hits each other it would cause blast of bubbles. where would best place be?

 

[sir_dudeguy]

yes, you point them from opposite ends facing each other, and no it will not create bubbles. If it were on the surface, then yes, there would be a burst of bubbles, but under the water, theres not any air floating around (well there is oxygen, but you get the point) to create bubbles. By pointing them at each other you get the most random flow, which is what you want. What is your flow now? If its a reef, you may need more than you think.

 

[littlefoot]

so do you have the flow pointed a little towards the surface so that it looks like a toilet bowl and my other problem is i still get too many microbubbles. Its a reef and i have 46g with two 1200s. Also - in scapn do you think its better to have rock towrds back so theres more open space in front?

 

[sir_dudeguy]

not sure what you mean by the toilet bowl thing, unless you mean you're getting like a funnel effect?

But also, one problem may be that you've only got 2 seperate sources of flow. I've got like 4 or 5 in my 40 breeder and imo i still need more. Flow is a good thing...dont be afraid of adding too much...you more than likely will NOT add too much lol.

I always have one on each end pointing at eachother (well not directly...a little offcentered but you get the point). Get as much of the flow going thru all the rock as you can. Then i usualy get a couple of sources of flow from the center of the tank and point those going diagonally in random locations. Just make it as random as possible.

And by 5 sources of flow, i dont nessesarily mean you need 5 seperate powerheads. You can buy loc-line fittings for lots of powerheads and you could make it split into 2 (or even more than that if wanted) seperate flow sources. I especially like seio's and any other powerhead that has a wide flow like them.

If you do not have a sump then you will need one just to skim accross the top of the water making it ripple. Otherwise you'll get a film on there that can block some light, and it will also lower your pH (no gas exchange)

 

[littlefoot]

the ripple is what i meant by toilet bowl effect. That is how i have my powerheads pointed. Upwards to move water around. I have skimmer. Also is there a fitting for maxijets tosplit them? I also thought the more powerheads the more microbubbles.

 

[sir_dudeguy]

there may be a fitting, but i'm not sure...its mostly for larger pumps (the loc-line anyways). I usually get just a couple of pretty big pumps and split them a few times and hide them somewhere and just have the loc line splittings sticking out shootng random places.

and no, more powerheads does not equal more bubbles. They do not make bubbles, unless you've got them too close to the surface or you have the venturi tube on it.