Newbie with power heads/set up ?

[deuse]

I have a 55 g tank and 2 maxi jet 900's and I'm not sure if I have them set up right. I have the short filter grid on instead of the undergravel filter adapter. Do I still use the air control valves and tubes? I know that sounds kind of dumb, but I have read the instructions over and over and it says that you don't have to use the valves if you're using the prefilter grid. How would you put oxygen in the tank if you didn't use it? Does that make sense or am I missing something? :notsure:

 

[mandarin w]

Most of us don't use them in the undergravel filter. In fact that is a very bad idea. Just put whatever hanging attachment there is on the back, usally suction cups. and put it in the tank, place it so it is about 3 to 4 inches underwater. leave the air diffuzer off. and plug it in. Angle it so it pushes the water across the area you need it to. Your tank should get enought airbubbles for the skimmer and the returns. The power head are just to circulate the water thru the tank so your water is constantly moveing. You do not want any areas where the water just sits.
Most people angle it so it bounces off the front glass and back the to tank, the other you can put it so it blow behind the rocks.
Be careful not to put them too low, you don't want to blow up any sand, just across the sand.

 

[deuse]

Thank you sooooo much!