powerheads facing up

Ricky1066

New member
Ok I got my powerheads I took some advice fro here and I have one on the left side of the tank one on the right both in the middles one facing up the other facing up and to the front was told it would give great current which the water is wavy and looks great. BUT

I read in the about.com that they should face over the rocks to keep the bacteria movie Is either one correct
 
2 koralia #3 pumps will not be enough in your 75 gallon. They are good pumps but give little control.I would place them both on one side with one 3/4 of the way up and the other 1/4 way up. Then get a high end powerhead for the other side.I use a rio 1450 with flow control knob and duckbill tip for dirrection control.Plus it works great for draining and refilling at water change.
You want good constant flow around the whl tank.
 
NOw I had a post on here and the MAjority said to buy these and only two and to face them up because the fish need a rest area.

I keep hearing there are alot of different opinions on here but wow no one can agree.
 
OK I have no problem facing them wherever just trying to get a bearing I was told by about 5 people here to buy that particular one and then where to face it but I figured over the rock s as for now I have them facing each other one towards the rock across and one facing up to the top.
 
Perhaps with a sump with good return this maybe enough. I use a rio 1450 in my 75 and love it.It has a flow control knob and duckbill tip for dirrection control.Plus i attatch a clear tube and drain and refill for water changes.Much more control.
I would use the rio on one side at the top facing toward the center and the other two on the other side with one facing up and one down.
 
There is no specific "correct" placement because everyone's rockwork is different and will deflect the flow in unique ways. I've got my powerheads facing slightly up for a few reasons:

1.) I want good surface agitation for oxygenation.
2.) My tank is extremely narrow and the Koralias are big. If I aimed the PH's directly at my rocks, it would blast the tissue off corals.
3.) I want a slightly lower flow at the bottom of the tank for future LPS corals and clams. I want the upper zone chaotic enough to keep SPS.

However, I still need enough agitation at the bottom to keep junk from settling. My DSB has formed itself into dunes rather than a flat surface, but that's alright with me. I prefer a high flow because it keeps my sand cleaner. I've got another small PH periodically hitting the back of the rocks because I don't plan to grow anything there and I don't want trapped food settling.

In a square environment, there are always going to be areas that get more detritus than others. Try to keep these where you can see them and remedy it. I gently "poof" my sand surface with a turkey baster in one particular area quite often because the overflow channel tends to trap stuff there. The system is telling me not to place a species that needs high flow there and I may not be able to do much about it.

I've positioned my powerheads many times since I started this tank and I'm sure I'll mess with them plenty more as corals grow out and begin to block the flow.

The point is that you need to think, fiddle, and experiment to get the best flow for the health of your system. I agree with demonsp that you need more flow, but don't panic about stuff. Test and tweak :)
 
Forgot to mention to watch whatever stringy stuff you may have growing on your rocks at the moment for clues as to water flow. If it's constantly leaning in one direction, you need to change things up. Get your flow so you get periodic random jerking motions. Who knew hair algae could be so handy!
 
I actually had them both facing up as I said It was a great idea I cannot remeber who on her told me because every rock seemed to be getting flow (all the stringy stuff was moving) but all in one direction I am not sure how I can make it not go in one direction is th eheads are blowing tha way.

I am also not getting a sump for quite a while so I have to figure another way.
 
I have one across the top of the tank to agitate the water. The other is lower and shoots against and across the front glass.
 
I kust moved Mine again they are now Both on different sides of th etank facing down to the rocks slightly slanted towards the rock .i have left on my fluval 405 with that facing directly across the tank from th back wall Should be good for now.
 
I just moved Mine again they are now Both on different sides of th etank facing down to the rocks slightly slanted towards the rock .i have left on my fluval 405 with that facing directly across the tank from th back wall Should be good for now.
 
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