powerhead location

[cmar]

hey everyone! traded in my powersweep for an aqua clear p.h. (AC 50, 270 gal p.h.) what a difference! now the dumb question; how high, or low in the tank should it be? right now it's about 8" down, and my fish don't seem too pleased with it.(hiding in the rocks). do i go up, or down? it's also in the corner, angled towards the center of the front. thanks!

 

[Reefscape]

There is no set places for powerhead locations as every situation is different. What your trying to acheive is good water circulation so there are no dead spots in the tank where food particles cannot rest and detrius cannot build up.

Also, if you have any low flow corals, ensure that the flow is not directed at them...

Niko

 

[sharkmatt]

Hi,

what size tank do you have? It's generally a good plan to have more than one powerhead. The reason for this is to create some randon turbulence. One powerhead tends to create somewhat of a whirlpool effect which the fish won't enjoy too much. If you've still got the old powerhead, I'd put it back in and aim it to intersect the flow from the new powerhead. This should create some random turbulence where the two meet, stopping or reducing the whirlpool effect. If you don't have the old powerhead still and can't afford to buy a second, i'd try and break the flow of the new powerhead up by directing it at an obstacle, e.g. some liverock. This should help to break the flow up a bit until you can get a second one. As for placement, i'd go for about 3-4" above the substrate. This gives the fish a calmer area above where they can get out of the main flow and should also provide some flow over your substrate to help keep particles suspended in the water column where your filter can remove them.

Hope this helps,

Shark.

 

[cmar]

i have a 55 gal tank, and i am was planning on another p.h., for the reasons you stated. but i became hesitant when i saw that the fish were hiding.
thanks!

 

[sharkmatt]

Hey,

No worries, glad to be of help. Like nixon said avoid directing it towards any sensitive organisms. On a secondary point your fish will probably take a bit of time to acclimate to the more powerful flow so are likely to be a bit shy at first. I'd bet once they're used to it they'll love the extra water movement to play in and it's good exercise!

Shark.

 

[danielmanlee]

I agree with Sharkmatt... I just recently chg to 2 koralia#3 and my fish hide for about 3 days.. but they will get use to the new flow and now they swim inthe open much much more than before...