powerheads - more or less?

PapaKlix

New member
so i've read about recommended flow rate and it seems for the setup i'm working towards i'll want somewhere in the neighborhood of 2000 - 3200gph total in the 80 gal display tank. first question, i'm assuming this includes the sump return? the other thing i was wondering was would it be foolish to get the full flow accomplished with just 2 power heads or should i get more, less powerful ones?
 
i have 6 in my tank and its not very attractive, however 2 tunze 6045s would be a good start, 1 on each side, if you feel you need more flow then just add another powerhead of your choice at the back of the tank pointing to the front, what is your plans as far as livestock goes, because you may find with the return pump a couple of smaller phs may be ok, 3,200 galls is a fair bit of flow for an 80, i like flow but do you really need that amount?
 
Yes it does include the return. The number of powerheads depends on your aquascaping to a degree . You want to establish some turbulence. How much and how much flow overall depends on what you are keeping. For example, I use four powerheads plus return flow in my 120 gallon and 89 gallon sps tanks totaling 50x flow in each and and only two powerheads and return in my sps tank totaling about 20x flow.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14803701#post14803701 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Michael
i have 6 in my tank and its not very attractive, however 2 tunze 6045s would be a good start, 1 on each side, if you feel you need more flow then just add another powerhead of your choice at the back of the tank pointing to the front, what is your plans as far as livestock goes, because you may find with the return pump a couple of smaller phs may be ok, 3,200 galls is a fair bit of flow for an 80, i like flow but do you really need that amount?

my plan for livestock is essentially mixed. a few SPS, predominantly soft corals, some clams, inverts and maybe a half dozen smaller fish. would i be best served to have one high, one low? do clams need/want a lot of flow?

as you can tell, i'm still in the learning stage (i forgot everything i learned 9 yrs ago). i'm still building the cabinet so i have some time, i've just been acquiring equipment and i was wondering about this specifically as i pick up powerheads i don't want to get ones that will be too strong.
 
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