Powerhead placements

[marty]

Ok, I was reading another post that wasn't truly about powerheads but somehow got into the discussion of ph's. I have a question about them. One of the replies indicated to put a ph at the bottom of the tank in the corner. My question: Can a ph go that low into a tank, power cord and all (obviously not the plug)?
It just seems dangerous to stick a ph with an electical cord into water. Any comments?

 

[fshhub]

as long as you don't have urchins, some like to chew on chords(i hear), but other wise, the powerheads are designed for complete submersion, i have 5 and at different depthes, no problems at all

 

[marty]

I have 2 crabs, 2 snails, damsels, tang, clowns, and bi-color angel.
I currently have a fluval 404 placed somewhat in the back left corner with water flowing to the right towards the middle. I have one powerhead about 2 feet to the right of that with water flowing to the left middle. I have a prizm skimmer on the right corner. It's an 80 gal tank. Do I need to lower the ph? If so, how low? If I do lower it, won't the fishes be affected by the current it generates. I mean they slept in their respective territories, won't this freak them out? Thanks.

 

[jacksonpt]

yup... as long as the plug stays dry, you can put them where ever you like. I have 4 powerheads total, 2 in the top, rear corners, and 2 in the bottom middle of the tank, right along the back wall. There's a thread on the reef board about powerhead placement... see that post for a pic of where my powerheads are.

 

[marty]

Thanks Jackson, I see that post now. It looks like I might pick up a ph or 2 for additional movement. Any thoughts about what brand and what size/volume of ph I should get? I bought a ph for a 10 gallon tank I have that was for tanks up to 20 gallons. Would a couple of those at the bottom of the tank be enough?

 

[jacksonpt]

your profile says you've got an 80g tank... where else do you have water movement coming from?
I run only powerheads, so I've 4 of them to keep the water moving. I'd suggest adding 2 powerheads to your tank. I've had very good luck with AquaClear powerheads. They come in a variety of sizes--I've got 2 of the 402s. They do an excellent job.

 

[marty]

Fluval 404, 1 ph, and 1 prizm skimmer. That's it.

 

[jacksonpt]

I'm not too familiar with the fluval or the prizim... do they give you much movement? 2 decent powerheads would probably do you good. Like I said before... I've got 2 of the Aquaclear 402 powerheads (270gph each) that I'm very happy with. I've got 2 smaller powerheads that I want to replace with 402s... I like them that much. They're not too awful expensive... run anywhere from $25-$35 locally.
I would think that two 402 would be a good addition to your tank... especially if you've got any corals that like higher amounts of water movement.
HTH

 

[marty]

I have a FO tank right now with lr about to be added. The fluval and the one ph seem to give very good water movement at the top of the water level. The prizm skimmer doesn't do much at the top, but may be doing something for circulation at the middle as it draws in water. This probably applies also to the fluval at the middle as it draws in water.
In my other posts, I am planning on adding at least a 10lb piece of lr and am hoping to convince my significant other to let buy the huge 18lb piece of lr. If I do get that and re-arrange all the dead stuff, I am not sure what the water ciruclation at the bottom of the tank will be. Does it need to be moving alot? Most of my fish seem to hang out there, plus I do have 2 scooter blennies, 2 crabs, 2 snails, and 1 cleaner shrimp. Would they just avoid the stronger currents if I add a couple ph's?
Thanks!

 

[jacksonpt]

first off... good luck with the significant other and that 18pounder!
If the fluval and ph do pretty well for the surface of the water, then another powerhead or 2 couldn't hurt to keep the water moving down low. Just enough to keep the water moving. I would still suggest 2 powerheads, simply because 1 would have a hard time keeping current moving at the other end of the tank once that monster LR is added. The fish will stay away from the really high currents, but that's typically only right next to the ph. I'd put a powerhead in each back, bottom corner... point 1 straight along the back of the tank, and poitn the other towards the middle of the front of the tank. Just my opinion though.

 

[fshhub]

her is my 2 cents, for poerhead, i will only buy 2, maxijets and aquaclears, they are the best ones for the money, i would definitely stay away from rio and zoomed(powersweeps), they work good for a little while
in my 75, i have 5 total, on aquaclear 402 and one 802, and a maxijet(can't remember which, but it is small),and 2 other small ones made by hagen(same company that makes the aquaclear)