Powerhead Newbie ...

D

Derringer

... overstock this!
Apr 8, 2007
768
0
0
Indiana
The last two days I have been sitting up a 75g "FW" aquarium - I had set it up as an UGF w/ an emperor 400, but after reading how much better a RUGF is, I decided to go out and add a couple powerheads to the down tubes.

I purchased 2 AquaClear A-570s - after trying to figure out how to install both the hanger and the suction cups - LMAO - I finally managed to got them in installed.

When I first powered them up, they created a tornado of water down the tubes - after running for a couple minutes I can't even tell if they are working.

Anyway, besides that issue, I am curious if someone could tell me what the airtube is for and how to use it?

Thanks!
 
the 'airtube' was more than likely supplied as an air venturi. it would stick out of the water, if you were to use it as a UGF instead of RUGF, and aerate the water being pushed out of the tube. on a RUGF the airline is not necessary sin ce you really don't wanna be pushing air down below the substrate.

you can find if they are working by poutting a finger in front of the intake for the powerhead.. if you feel water moving, its workin! powerheads are pretty simple once you get them figured out.. theyre just fancy looking water pumps.
 
Yes, its called a Venturi valve. From what I have read that last few minutes - its an aeration device which increases surface agitation and gas exchange efficiency.

So youre saying when using the powerhead in reverse its not even needed? So could I just remove it then? Be nice having 2 less hoses coming out of the back of the tank.

Also, this crossed my mind a bit ago - if its sucking water it might be able to suck in smaller fish once I add some in .... do they have strainer attachments or something to prevent that from happening? Or is it even worth worrying about?
 
Most powerheads come with the screen attachments to clip on to the intake... the venturi is not needed in a RUGF... (it sucks in air and breaks it down into little bubbles for better oxygen lvls and agitation) and theres no point in doing it...but i personally think a bit of air under cant hurt.. so you could leave on there and see how it goes..
 
Unfortunately my aquaclear isnt in the "most" category because it didn't come with any intake/strainer attachments.

I should have shopped online for the 2 I got - petsmart mobbed me!
 
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