Powerhead issues

[chevyblue96]

When I got this tank, it came with two powerheads. Unknown brand/size.
My tank is a 55g. Has a damsel and CBS. Until today, I was just running the filter that hangs on the back of the tank, but after more reading decided it would be best to go ahead and add the one powerhead that still had a screen over the intake to get more water flow.
My problems:
1) Power head is freakin huge and a real eye sore on the tank
2)My water top definetly has the "boiling water" look to it, maybe even to much though? It's stirring up the water, and bits of sand are floating and now my (was super clear tank) is going cloudy
There are two levers on the side of the powerhead but I couldn't get either one to adjust. I'm just trying to make do until I can get a good one.
The thing pushes so much water it keeps pulling my thermometer off the side of the tank.....
Should I take it out or leave it for now? It's so ugly.... but then if I use rocks to hide it, it can't really do it's job either can it??

 

[saltfan]

Its stirring up the tank, so the filter can take the crap out of the water column. Give it a few hours, the tank should clear up. Its removing the thermometer from the side?? WOW, now thats flow. Looks as if thats the only water mover inthe tank, as the other is for the filter. I'd keep it in there. It has setting for high or low? Nice.

 

[chevyblue96]

I honnestly don't know if that's what those levers do or not? It has a green lever and a white lever, neither of which will move. And yeah, it pushes enough water the suction cup won't hold the thermometer to the side of the glass (but it's not a great suction cup either I guess).
Things are starting to clear up now, and my damsel has come out of hiding and playing around so maybe it'll work.
I'll get pics of the other ph that is missing the screen.... maybe I can figure out if it has settings by that one?

 

[chevyblue96]

Further inspection on the other powerhead without screen.... Says "Powerhead 802" in blue letters on the front but still no brand name?
One of the stickers says that the green levers apparently lets you move the nossel to point the flow in other directions.... Still not sure what the white lever does

 

[saltfan]

Either way, you should be fine with that PH in there. The lever might reverse water flow.

 

[chevyblue96]

Ok! Now I'm getting somewhere!
This is apparently what I have.

Mine does not have the clear tube or the clip to hand on the side of the tank though.
A website I found says it is an Aquaclear 70 802 and that it moves 400 gph. Think one will be good for a 55g? Or do I need to get the other one up and running too?
Here's the rest of what it says about it...
"Efficient, effective undergravel filter pumps featuring compact epoxy sealed design, self cleaning motor, venturi aeration device with air filter, adjustable and directional water flow control, and a universal stem adapter ""
I don't have the under gravel filter though....
These things a big and ugly, I don't want to add the other if I don't have too.
any input greatly appreciated!!

 

[monsinour]

not quite 10x turnover, but will work until you get a new one. the air line is to put bubbles into the tank. its ok that you dont have it.

 

[chevyblue96]

awesome! thank you
They are so big and bulky/ugly, I really didn't want to add the second one if I didn't have too!

 

[monsinour]

i would suggest a korila power head. I have a pair of the nanos and they have worked just fine and are kind of pleasing to me.

 

[chevyblue96]

That's what I'm hoping to get, but can't afford them right now. The guy I bought the tank from really saw me coming and ripped me off pretty good, so I've spent more on start up then I planned on. I have to get a CUC going before anything else. Then next on my list are the korila's. This is gonna have to be a slow process. Hubby was about to freak out that he though I had 300 in this tank so far.... If he only new the real number! LOL

 

[monsinour]

Quote:
Originally Posted by chevyblue96 http:///forum/thread/383847/powerhead-issues#post_3359931
That's what I'm hoping to get, but can't afford them right now. The guy I bought the tank from really saw me coming and ripped me off pretty good, so I've spent more on start up then I planned on. I have to get a CUC going before anything else. Then next on my list are the korila's. This is gonna have to be a slow process. Hubby was about to freak out that he though I had 300 in this tank so far.... If he only new the real number! LOL
before I added the first critter to my tank, i think i spent close to $1K. Now that the tank is running and critters are in there, I am happy. Unless you ask me to do something with the rocks. They never go back the way they were and that irritates me.

 

[chevyblue96]

Yeah.... I was thinking that buying a already set up/established tank I would save so much time and $$.... Wishful thinking huh? lol

 

[florida joe]

Powerheads give you movement they are not predicated on turnover rate you need to find a power head that can give you sufficient water movement within your tank for your specific needs

 

[chevyblue96]

Well, that water is definetly moving..... and the ad for it says 400gph??
How does that differ from what you are trying to explain? I'm afraid I'm not following very well.
How does someone "new" figure out how much water flow they need?

 

[murf48]

I have that same ph 400gph in my 30g tall with two small 150gph. these three power heads pointed in all different directions makes sure that there is no spot in the tank that doesn't have flow

 

[ibew41]

if you have nothing in your tank but sand your 1 ph"power head" might work,but when you add rock or other objects that can block the flow you will get dead spots.the dead spots that have very little flow will become problems in the tank and you will have to add more ph.I have 1 ph an mp40 that gives 100 to 3000 gph and a maxi jet 1200 in my 75g every tank will be different to what you have in your tank