I have been in the hobby for about 4 months now. I bought this 30 gal tank from someone else that had run it for close to 2 years. It originally only had 2 power heads and a Tetra 20 filter with heater. I upgraded to an Aqua Clear 60 filter, replaced one of the crappy power heads with a more powerful one and added a "hang on the back" skimmer. I have the powerheads more or less positioned the way the previous owner did. As you can see by the photos, the more powerful head is on the front right of the tank, pointed toward the glass and moving water from right to left. The less powerful one is on the left rear moving water from rear right directly across the back of the tank and toward the filter intake. My thoughts were to keep detritus to a minimum. It seems most of my learning has been trial and error (and expensively, I might add). I am asking for feedback with regards to my water flow and how I might do it differently and why I should. Thank you.
Water Flow Question
- Thread starter Foody
- Start date
xmike24
Dog Trainer
I've always been told if you can randomize it every now and then that it's better in the long run to battle detritus. If you keep the power heads facing the same way 24/7 you will miss certain nicks and crannies that the detritus can settle in. I generally move my fans a couple times a week (since I haven't paid for a wave maker).
Dauthi
New member
In my experience two larger powerheads, one on either side, aimed directly at each other is sufficient in that size tank. I do the same in my 37 with koralia evo 750's and it provides good random buffeting all over in the tank. Aiming them just right takes some trial and error though!
You don't need the aquaclear for filtration either. The live rock will provide all you need for bio filtration. You could however DIY it into a HOB refugium for some macro algae. A quick google will provide plenty of info on that project. You could also use it's media basket to hold carbon and/or gfo if you decide to run those.
You don't need the aquaclear for filtration either. The live rock will provide all you need for bio filtration. You could however DIY it into a HOB refugium for some macro algae. A quick google will provide plenty of info on that project. You could also use it's media basket to hold carbon and/or gfo if you decide to run those.
BuffaloReef
New member
You might consider upgrading that left pump. It probably has 1/3 the output at 3x te energy use of your other pump. Randomizing will help too. You can set he pumps on a wavemaker and have them alternate or add on any of a number of devices made to mix up the flow.
I had a pump like that left one years ago. You can mod them by cutting off the front and drilling holes in the bottom. This partially reveals the impeller in front and dramatically increases flow. The holes on the bottom are to compensate for that increased flow. Better for your needs though he pump will then shoot water at a 45 degree angle instead of straight out. When it starts there's about a 50% chance it will go left or right. So you could add another stream type pump on the left and put the modded pump in the middle. Buy a cheap trimmer and have it come on and off every fifteen minutes. It wouldn't be the best wavemaker but it would help move things around better than they are now.
I had a pump like that left one years ago. You can mod them by cutting off the front and drilling holes in the bottom. This partially reveals the impeller in front and dramatically increases flow. The holes on the bottom are to compensate for that increased flow. Better for your needs though he pump will then shoot water at a 45 degree angle instead of straight out. When it starts there's about a 50% chance it will go left or right. So you could add another stream type pump on the left and put the modded pump in the middle. Buy a cheap trimmer and have it come on and off every fifteen minutes. It wouldn't be the best wavemaker but it would help move things around better than they are now.
Ok, as seen in the pics, I replaced the left powerhead with one identical to the one on the right. However, together they are too much. My little fishies were wondering what the heck was going on. My plan is, until I get a timer to manage the two, is to simply plug one in one day and the other on the next. Yes?
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Ok, one more question. I just bought a timer power strip to plug in both of my powerheads. How often should I switch between the 2 heads? Daily? Every hour? More? Less? I've seen Wave Maker timers that appear to switch back and forth at intervals from just seconds to a maximum of every 7 minutes. I'm not sure I will have that option. In any case, what would be ideal?
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
research gyre
research gyre
this is what you want to create in a reef aquarium.
In this particular aquarium I would probably use 3 MJ900's on a wavemaker.
(I think there's an inexpensive wavemaker powerstrip called a Natuwave?)
In any case, the powerheads should be aimed parallel and just under the water's surface to create ripples.
Drive two discharges directly into each other at random intervals.
IMO two minutes is a MINIMUM duration time for any one powerhead to be "on". Switching on and off at anything less than two minutes doesn't usually yield good results.
JMO but I would love to get into that aquarium and re-arrange things.
Just ask and I'm sure we will hear some constructive suggestions.
research gyre
this is what you want to create in a reef aquarium.
In this particular aquarium I would probably use 3 MJ900's on a wavemaker.
(I think there's an inexpensive wavemaker powerstrip called a Natuwave?)
In any case, the powerheads should be aimed parallel and just under the water's surface to create ripples.
Drive two discharges directly into each other at random intervals.
IMO two minutes is a MINIMUM duration time for any one powerhead to be "on". Switching on and off at anything less than two minutes doesn't usually yield good results.
JMO but I would love to get into that aquarium and re-arrange things.
Just ask and I'm sure we will hear some constructive suggestions.
