powerhead placement

[Toke23]

I have a pretty new setup goin in a 55g reef tank. Been up and runnin about 2 1/2 months. Have roughly 70 lbs or live rock and 60lbs of sand which comes out to be a fairly shallow bed of about 2 inches if the stuff would stay put but it keeps blowin all over the place wherever it wants. I have toyed with the powerheads here and there but i still end up with one area with a deep trough and another spot where the sand is just piled high to like 4 inchs.

I have two power heads and my return from the sump ofcourse. One power head does 1200gph and the other does 800 plus about 350 from the return after the incline n all. Have a powerhead on each side mayb 5 inchs fromthe water line pointed up and toward the back of the tank. Any suggestions as to how i can keep my sand fairly stable?

 

[JeF4y]

Pics would be VERY helpful. Also, what kind of powerheads are you using for flow? If you're using small concentrated ones, the blowing will be much worse than something with a broad flow like a Koralia, etc.

My guess is that with the flow hitting the back wall, it's going down the wall and washing the sand out right?

If you can, position them on the sides (long ways) of the tank, aiming kind of at each other. Or position them on the sidewall near the back of the tank, aiming at the front, center section of the glass. Aim one higher than the other and you should get good random turbulence.

Depending on the flow, rockwork and sand type, you will always get some movement. But it should calm down and be reasonable (with no bare spots and massive piles).

 

[Toke23]

Pics would be VERY helpful. Also, what kind of powerheads are you using for flow? If you're using small concentrated ones, the blowing will be much worse than something with a broad flow like a Koralia, etc.

My guess is that with the flow hitting the back wall, it's going down the wall and washing the sand out right?

If you can, position them on the sides (long ways) of the tank, aiming kind of at each other. Or position them on the sidewall near the back of the tank, aiming at the front, center section of the glass. Aim one higher than the other and you should get good random turbulence.

Depending on the flow, rockwork and sand type, you will always get some movement. But it should calm down and be reasonable (with no bare spots and massive piles).

They are both koralia brand power heads ones a 1200 gph and the other is 800gph. I moved them a little yestarday toward the back of the tank and point both up and toward the front of the tank and so far so good but its only been 24 hrs too. I have picture on my profile of the tank....i think that picture has the skull over one of my powerheads, but i took that off cuz it broke lol i thought it looked cool my gf thought it was dumb tho lol