Do you guys think powerheads are reall necessary?

[sg1]

Ive got 3 on a 125g tank. They are getting old, they dont blow with as much force as they use to and they are kind of an eye sore in the tank, thinking about eliminating them, looking for advice?

 

[mcox3]

I used to be all about them, but now my 210 has 0. I like it better.

 

[Rbishop]

Depends on if you need them...killing dead spots because of decor? Driving a UGF/RUGF? Creating flow for a certain species of fish?

 

[sg1]

Well Ive got an air curtain already, and a huge bubble disk in the middle, and my cannister filter creates minimal water movement.

 

[mcox3]

yeah, thats what i forgot to mention... I use them with sponges only and only in 1 tank.

 

[Rbishop]

Well Ive got an air curtain already, and a huge bubble disk in the middle, and my cannister filter creates minimal water movement.

Sounds as if you need them if your canister is providing minimal movement.

 

[RoseFishWatcher]

I think it's mostly a matter of preference. If you have a species that prefers high flow (like those from a fast moving river) I think it's beneficial. If you have sand, it's definitely beneficial since they blow all the junk to one spot and give it a much cleaner look. Out of my 6 FW tanks, only 1 has a powerhead, and that is because it has a sand bottom and filter feeding shrimp who really need high flow to feed properly.

 

[jm1212]

it also depends on your filtration...you'll need them more in a longer tank with only one filter hooked up to it.

 

[khombre]

It's just a matter of what you need and what you prefer. Me, I have a powerhead in every tank since I use it to shoot water up into a box filter. As for powerhgeads being current makers I only use them as such with fish that loves currents.

 

[Cory Keeper]

If I was running a HOB instead of my DIY filter, then yes. If you have any dead spots, look to getting a powerhead. Kind of need them for long tanks.