One big powerhead or a couple of smaller ones

[kiefers]

Just rececntly I ordered a powerhead from A site and they sent me the wrong size. I ordered a korela (sp) 1050 because all I had in it my 56 C was my nano powerhead. They sent me a 1200 ( K 4) and the current is strong but only in spots. I have some that is getting good current and some not. Any information and or pics of your placement would be helpful.

 

[juice28]

you can try getign a small one to cause counter currents, i say try it out, i had a k4 but with what imstocked with it made too strong of a water current for my lps's and softies so i switched it out for 2 smaller powe rheads on each side of the tank and everything was much happier after that. i say base it on your stock.
my powerhead on the left is toward the front of the tank and shoots straigt, that mixes with the fronwards flow of the emperor and on thright that poerhead is in the back corner but it has a little fan type tip on it which is angled up so it makes a wide spread of water and that blows into the skimmer return box which breaks up the current so my high flow area is the top center/right-ish of the tank basically from the orange lobo to right under the skimmer

 

[kiefers]

ya I have been trying it for a week or so. I have a mix of lps and softies so it's hard to plz everyone. Your tank looks good. what type of powerheads to you run?

 

[btldreef]

I only ran a return pump in my 40G. It really depends on the demands of the tank, etc etc. Usually, I'd say one powerhead isn't a good thing.

 

[deejeff442]

just think of it this way ,you could put a bunch of #4 korilias in the tank and still not even be close to what the ocean current is.
like the other post said a counter current ,meaning powerheads cross flowing each other is best.this tends to hit the dead spots.

 

[geoj]

I like the one pump with many loc-lines
This is my return lines You could do it with a closed loop

Here you can see how it looks from the front

 

[kiefers]

Thanks everyone! Geo, I have very limited space but it is possible I'm sure. deejeff, I agree with the cross current. My tank is deep though and I think I would have to angle them downward. BTL..... hmmmm if one isn't good enough why do you not have atleast 1 or 2? I love your tank, from what I've seen some time ago??
thank you again! Any ideas on sizes for my tank. Ganna give the k4 to the wife i think

 

[btldreef]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kiefers http:///forum/thread/385096/one-big-powerhead-or-a-couple-of-smaller-ones#post_3376325
BTL..... hmmmm if one isn't good enough why do you not have atleast 1 or 2? I love your tank, from what I've seen some time ago??
thank you again! Any ideas on sizes for my tank. Ganna give the k4 to the wife i think
I'd say it's usually not a good thing. Can it be done? Yes, absolutely, I did it. Is it the best option? In most cases, no.
My 40G breeder only ran with a Mag 7 return pump, no other power heads. This was the tank the day before I tore it down:

I tried putting powerheads in a few times, and every time it just created too much. I don't know why this tank did so well with just the return, but it just did.

In your case, have you considered an EcoTech Vortech? I know they're expensive, but honestly, they're worth their weight in gold. A lot of cube tanks do well with them. Something to consider.
How large is your return pump?

 

[btwk12]

why would you tear that tank down it looked very nice

 

[btldreef]

I know, but I didn't have room for that and the 155. Everything in the 40 went in the 155. Once the new house is ready and the 180 is up and running, I'm re-doing the 40 again. It was my absolute favorite tank.

 

[kiefers]

you know....my return is a CA 1800. Power heads are expensive. OMG and for what? hahaha
Tommie, how do you get the ideas where to put your corals? If possible look at mine and give me ideas please? hahaha I'm good at aquascaping, but coral placement escapes me.
All the my corals seem to like the flow from the K 4. But the fish look as if there in a tsunami and I had to move the buuble in the back for less light and flow. this is not an updated pic but the poerhead is on the opposite side of the flow box and the powerhed shown is about 8 inches from the bottom on the right side of the tank.