Powerhead alittle strong for cardinals in 10 gallon?

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wigglejaggles

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Oct 26, 2003
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hey now,

I read somewhere that schooling fish in tanks like to have a current for them to travel in. I was thinking of placing a powerhead in either the back left corner or more in the middle left corner.
would this be to powerful for the cardinals? Are powerheads hard to maintain? Too much for a 10 gallon?


thanks!

take care,
jared
 
What kind of filter will the tank have? Most HOB filters will provide plenty of flow for a 10. A small powerhead could still be used--they do come in many flow ratings.
 
I agree with Orion, in a 10 gal the flowback from the filter should be enough to give the Cardinals a strong enough current to play in. My guppy fry are smaller than the average Cardinal, and they love letting the flowback push them around.
 
Would you say that all tetras prefer a current in the tank?
 
I think it depends on what species of tetras you are talking about. If for instance the tetra's natural habitat is rivers or streams then they might appreciate it a little more if you do have some form of water flow in there. A fish that comes from ponds, and such might prefer calm waters. It's all about researching the type of fish you intend to have or already do have, and then trying to duplicate as closely as possible it's natural habitat.
 
filter

hey now,

I plan to use the hagen aquaclear 150. That most likely will be enough for a 10 gallon, but if I could control a small powerhead wouldn't that be ideal? You could never have enough aeration right? Or could you...

I do plan on having low light plants such as java fern, java moss, water sprite...., due to the fact that my flourescant is only 15 watts...thats 1.5 watts per gallon for a 10 gallon tank if I did my math right. I am not sure how much aeration plants need and what goes on there. I need to reserach more.


take care,
Jared
 
Actually, you can have too much aeration, especially in a planted tank. The surface agitation will gas off CO2, which plants need to thrive. I probably would not put a powerhead in a 10 gallon tank, unless I was setting it up as a river tank.
 
I don't think you need to worry about aeration with a tank that has an HOB filter (and the AC 150 will be fine) and has plants. However, unless you plan on adding CO2 to the tank someway (hagens little CO2 generator or a DIY setup) the aeration you will provide will just end up leading to an equilibrium with the atmosphere outside the tank. So you won't edn up loosing too much CO2 but you won't gain any either.

I plant my 10 gallon and have an AC mini and the current it makes is fine for the cories and white cloud minnows. Sometimes even current loving fish need a break so in a smaller tank like a 10 gallon a powerhead might be just a little too much IMO.
 
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