what powerhead? And small overflow idea.

[sir_dudeguy]

ok 3g pico, probably 5-6 lbs LR, a half inch to an inch of live sand...so maybe 3-4 pounds?

For flow i've got a whisper 20 HOB filter on there. But i recently added a bit more rock (there was only like 3-4 pounds before) and it takes up quite a bit more than i thought it would. So obviously the rock is blocking some flow

Anyways, its pretty crowded in there, so i need a really small powerhead. I'm just looking for something to put in the back to get rid of dead spots is all.

Any suggestions?

Ok for the "overflow" idea. What if i was to just take the U-tube thing that is the intake for the Whisper filter, hang it off the side, and then have a line going from it to like a 10g sump? Would that work? Just curious cuz i want to play with a skimmer and other stuff on this tank to see how big of a difference it really makes...but got no room lol.

Then i could have a small return pump and have it split or whatever to have multiple sources, making it so i dont even need another little powerhead.

What do you think?

 

[jacksonpt]

using the u-tube would create a syphon to your sump, where you'd need a return pump to push water back to the tank. It can work, and is often the basis of many of the hang-on overflow boxes you can buy. However, it's a risky setup... loss of power will kill the return pump, but the u-tube will keep syphoning... high chance of overflow. Also, if something happens and the syphon breaks but the return pump keeps pumping... overflow.

Can it work? Yes, but it's risky.

 

[sir_dudeguy]

ya thats basically how my HOB overflows for my 40 and 16 are. Just Minus the box part. But i figure if i leave the filter intake strainer on there i wouldnt need the box, cuz its the exact same as if it were just running on the filter (as far as stuff getting sucked in).

The sump would be a 10g for sure if i even did this. So as far as the pump failing and the siphon still sucking out water....the sump would not overflow (i'd only fill it like 6 gallons). But its the siphon break that scares me more than anything. Altho i've been running my 40 breeder with the HOB overflow (U-tube style) for over 7 months and it hasnt lost its siphon once...I see no reason why it should