stupid powerheads!

[petcrazy213]

I just recently decided to add a second powerhead to the opposite side of my 40L tank ( I already had 1 PH to begin with along with my power filter). Here is my current problem ... I added the new PH (a "shark") about 2 weeks ago and just the other day my 1st PH (a "penguin") seems to have decided to die out on me. I had turned the PHs and Filter off to do some tank maintenance and when I turned the stuff back on the "Penguin" PH barely moves any water at all, just a trickle now. The new "Shark" PH is working very well, I can feel the current it puts out up to 13-14 inches from the mouth when it's running.

Here's my questions ...

1) do I NEED 2 PHs in my tank (40L - 36" across X 12 " wide X 18" deep) or will the "Shark" be enough current?

2) should the current from the PH be pointed directly at the LR in my tank or more towards the surface of the water?

3) I am planning to add some easier to care for soft corals eventually and need to know if mushrooms, sun/button polyps, or ricordia will need any particular current or if the current in the tank now will be enough?

On a separate note, where is a good place to pick up some gloves for working/maintenance in the tank? I ask because the other day I was adding another 10 lbs of LR to the tank and moving things around a bit to make it better for it's inhabitiance and ever since my right hand and arm have been itchy. I have several spots where it looks like I've either been bitten by bugs or is rash-like and I'm sure it's got something to do with fooling around in the tank without gloves. (STUPID, I KNOW!)

Thanks for any feedback!

[tubbanorman]

Hi, not sure what the flow rate is on powerheads you have but I have been told you need a flow rate of ten times the size of the tank. so you should be pushing 400gph. I have older penguin powerheads in one of my tanks, and sometimes they need a kick start to get flowing again. Or since you were moving stuff around it may have gotten some sand in impeller.

On the other subject (ichy hands) I was moving some rock around and got my fingers on some bristle worms. It left little red spots and itched like crazy. I still don't use gloves so I can't help you there.

[mogurnda]

You want turbulent flow, so pointing the powerheads toward each other is a good idea.