Powerhead recommendation

[tuvok]

What size powerhead (gph range) would you recommend for a 40g 36" x 18" tank. I will probably use it for additional circulation &/or the basis for a supplementary sponge filter. I am looking to create water movement but not strong currents.

 

[downloader]

get an aquaclear instead. the powerhead creates a lot of current. They are almost the same price and you get more filteration with more water movement too. The sponge filter thing is good but ugly. Good luck

www.bluewhippet.net

 

[kveeti]

I agree on all points above. However, there are instances when that isn’t feasible – planted tank (don’t want the surface disruption), bigger tank (won’t fit over the rim) or tank position (not enough room from tank to wall if it was originally positioned for only a canister). In those cases, a powerhead is great. My decision was to either get an AquaClear powerhead or a Maxi-Jet after reading up on reviews. I went with the Maxi-Jet because it’s fully submersible. I like the full rotation and multi-directional choices of the output as well as the mounting option (back or either side of the unit itself). The sponge prefilter you can buy for it is much smaller and less conspicuous than that of the AC (their premade filter attachment isn’t a sponge, but a rather large unit with what looks like coffee filter inside, so you couldn’t just rinse and re-use I don’t think). Although in either case I think it would be easy enough to adapt your own even smaller sponge covering to the filter grate.

As far as size to buy when you already have an existing filter – that’s difficult. All the recommendations for wpg turnover I could find were for using the powerhead alone as your main filter source with a UGF. If you just want a corner/area to have some movement, then I think it’s your call. I believed (could be erroneously) all I wanted was movement for that area of the tank, not to clash with what I already had from my filter, so I just got a small one.

Some powerhead reviews:
http://www.cichlid-forum.com/reviews/category_display.php?CatID=102

 

[tuvok]

I was contemplating adding an AC HOB as well. It might be better at increasing the mechanical filtration and helping to dissipate the scum on the water surface.