Powerheads on back glass?

[Jacwil]

I was thinking about placing my MP10 on the back glass. This would be more for aesthetics than anything, since I would be able to hide the cord better.

The tank is 30 long and 12 deep. Does anyone see a problem with trying this?

 

[Capt_Cully]

You can always move it if you don't like it

I've got an MP40 I plan on running off of the back glass. Interested in seeing how it works out.

 

[Jacwil]

Cool...lol...G told me the same thing, "Try it!" He thought that I may end up with dead spots on the ends of the tank. I'll try it later today.

 

[jaybfresh]

The only pumps i use are 2 mp40w's and they are both on the back glass. Works for me

 

[Capt_Cully]

You could use other strategically placed PH's to break up any dead spots. Or just like Jay said, pony up and buy a 2nd MP.

 

[Conesus_Kid]

I ran mine on the back for over a year, then switched them to the sides.

IMO, they spread the flow throughout the aquarium much better from the sides and allow you to get a nice gyre going. When on the back wall, they blasted some parts, and had dead spots in others.

Give it a try and see what you think.

 

[tmz]

My experience with powerheads on the back wall vs sides is very similar to Scott's.

 

[5380]

In my biocube, once I started placing my SPS high up there wasn't a way to position the MP20 and avoid blasting corals. While I was modifying the shelf I moved the pump to the side again within 1 day it caused RTN on one of my colonies. I drilled out a 4" hole in the top of the stand and stuck the pump there. Much more aesthetically pleasing and it's actually quieter. I did have to devise padding because snails can jam the pump and cause a disconnect much easier - I just use a pillow of bubble wrap and packing peanuts. I can't get a surface wave with this set up but it will give a pulsing current. The other problem is the position reduces the surface skimming if I don't position the "vortex guard" toward the overflow.

 

[superkat]

here's my thought....TRY IT. If it doesn't work, than you know. better than not trying, not knowing and going through the rest of your days wondering if it would have worked if you had tried it. My standard philosophy on life.

 

[Jacwil]

Thx everyone for the comments/suggestions. When I got the MP10 I took out the other 2 K2's. I will try the MP10 on the back glass and can always supplement with one of the K's.

 

[Tonynlo]

I use 2 MP40W's on a 48" x 18" x 24". I actually tried mine on the back last night and wasn't happy at all. There was less water movement around the front of my rocks, and the back corners were dead. I used the yellow setting for this, I think called reef crest. Try it though, maybe 1 will yield a better result.

 

[jaybfresh]

Maybe tank dimensions come into play here. I have much more even flow with the vortrchs on the back. On the side, the 2 far ends got blasted and the center had less flow. On the back walls, the flow hits the front and spreads out evenly. Might not work as well for deeper tanks, as mine is only 18" front to back. Aquascape is another important factor, I'm sure

 

[sg1838]

My VorTechs are on the sides, and the back corners in my tank are the calmest areas. The center is like the swirling vortex of doom from Finding Nemo (when they're riding the E.A.C. - East Australian Current). If I put mine on the bank, I think all that would happen is all my sand would get blown from the front of the tank to the back (and I already have more of that happening than I like).

I'm sticking to the sides...