Powerhead question
- Thread starter FishDad
- Start date
Well how much movement / turnover are you looking for? Depending on your setup, I'd be inclined to get 2 powerheads so you can get the right flow pattern for the tank. I'd think around 1000-1500gph would be about right, but again it depends on what you're wanting and how you want the flow to move through the tank. You can also start with one powerhead with a moderate flow, and then see if you want to add another one later.
I've got a 20g long tank right now, with a 425gph and a 500gph powerhead and together they provide the right amount of flow around my rocks (for a SW non-reef setup). Previously I had a 45g tall tank with one big 900-ish gph powerhead and that provided a lot of movement for a small space, but the fish didn't seem to mind.
I really like hydor koralia powerheads - they are very quiet and consistent, and have a great little magnet suction cup combo to hold them securely. I actually have to verify they are working by looking for water movement - they are that quiet. My other powerhead is an aqueon, which works well and quietly but the suction cup has come loose a few times, and that's with a small one. My old 900ish one had a bulky bracket thing to mount it on the tank, which worked and never caused problems but is not as aesthetically pleasing, not as easy to hide, and offers less options as far as placement.
Keep in mind also, how you arrange it if you have sand - blasting it directly at sand is not a good plan. Blasting it at gravel shouldn't matter.
I've got a 20g long tank right now, with a 425gph and a 500gph powerhead and together they provide the right amount of flow around my rocks (for a SW non-reef setup). Previously I had a 45g tall tank with one big 900-ish gph powerhead and that provided a lot of movement for a small space, but the fish didn't seem to mind.
I really like hydor koralia powerheads - they are very quiet and consistent, and have a great little magnet suction cup combo to hold them securely. I actually have to verify they are working by looking for water movement - they are that quiet. My other powerhead is an aqueon, which works well and quietly but the suction cup has come loose a few times, and that's with a small one. My old 900ish one had a bulky bracket thing to mount it on the tank, which worked and never caused problems but is not as aesthetically pleasing, not as easy to hide, and offers less options as far as placement.
Keep in mind also, how you arrange it if you have sand - blasting it directly at sand is not a good plan. Blasting it at gravel shouldn't matter.
