View Full Version : Too much water movement??
Rwhite8278
12-21-2003, 6:33 PM
I have a 55g freshwater tank with ciclids and a arowana in it. I added a power head(cheap walmart job) to the top of the undergravel riser. I am wondering if the extra water flow in the tank might be too much.
What's the rated gallons per hour of the powerhead? What else do you have making current in the tank? If your fish look like they are out of control or cannot "idle" in the tank, it's probably too much.
Prometheus
12-21-2003, 9:01 PM
Thats probably a regent 170 (same one I bought 3 years ago, runs like a champ)...
I use to run it in my 55 for 3-4 hours twice a day... But since I added the second penguin 330, I find my fish can't handle the 2 penguins and powerhead for too long... Now I run the powerhead twice (sometimes 3x) a day for one hour intervals...
I use to run that 170 in my 30 gallon from sun-up to sun-down when I had it set up... Of course I only have a 170gph filter on it...
I suggest using the powerhead as a supplment to the air risers in the UGF and run it periodically thru-out the day... Or do it like that, and gradualy increase the run time on the P. head so it runs longer and longer...
Rwhite8278
12-22-2003, 7:13 AM
The only one that looks like he might be having a hard time is the Arowana. Thats because he is the only top water fish I have.
I have two whisper 30/60 hanging filters in addition to the power head I mentioned.
I have the powerhead pointed towards the the front wall of the tank with the diffuser aiming the water towards the side wall.
my girlfriends mom has a 55 with a power head and a canister return tube that makes the tank into a damned toilet flushing. all the poor fish can never stop swimming, i feel so sorry for them, they are just lil platys and stuff
Alainuws
12-22-2003, 9:28 AM
I have allot of curent too in my wallmart 29 Gal.
Current is made by 2x 201 hagens power heads on the UGF and 1x Aquaclear 150.
To give a break for the fishes i have installed many big plastic plants at the rear of the tank and a few small ones at the front of the tank to stop the current.
That way if fishes want to rest they go in the back and when they want to exercise they come to the front. Xypho seems to like the current, they come often near the front of the power heads and swims there for a minute every now and then.
Rwhite8278
12-22-2003, 12:13 PM
My koi in my 30g love the power head action too. They swim right into the jet