powerheads how much do you need? 90 gallon new startup
- Thread starter ohiorn67
- Start date
salty cheese
Active Member
Those have a rating of 230g/h.
Is your tank going to be a reef or FO? For For FO most people try to have a x10-x15 turnover, for a reef x20-x25 or more.
Is your tank going to be a reef or FO? For For FO most people try to have a x10-x15 turnover, for a reef x20-x25 or more.
snipe
Active Member
I would do like 4 powerheads. For fish only try for 10 or 15X for reef try for 20 or 25X like said. You have to include anything into the GPH that pushes water. Sumps, Filters, Canisters, Skimmer,UV sterilizer and powerheads all = up to 1 big lump some of GPH "gallons per hour" You need 900GPH for 10X and 1800GPH for 20X.
ohiorn67
Member
TONIGHT put my first little coral frags in. 2 xenias...one seemed like it was about to blow away and we had to keep trying to move it. I guess with my gph which when the skimmer comes will give me a total of 1046....now I have about 700 and it is so blowing, how do you know how to place so much. someone tells me I need 1800 for reef/fish tank? wow!!
snipe
Active Member
Try bouncing the water off the glass you can buy PVC elbos that fit over the end of your powerhead to turn them or use the plastic things that come with them. If you deflect it off the glass it will help reach in to places that normally wouldnt get to and it wont be as strong blowing right on the rocks.
pohtr
Member
Is there a way to figure out the gph if its not listed? I have a 2nd hand utility pump, model 5, 115V, 45W, with some other numbers on it. There is also a skimmer with a surge 3500 pump.
With a 90g and wanting 10X-15X for a FO, does that mean about 900-1350 gph? I'm no math wiz but is that how it is figured or do I have this all screwed up?
Also I was told at one of the lfs that I didn't need powerheads.
With a 90g and wanting 10X-15X for a FO, does that mean about 900-1350 gph? I'm no math wiz but is that how it is figured or do I have this all screwed up?
Also I was told at one of the lfs that I didn't need powerheads.
ohiorn67
Member
well you definitely need powerheads.....I am thinking we have our xenia's placed better, but now worried about them. Our lfs said they don't rely on photosynthesis, I see online other things....high light? hmmmm, I have 260W that is it. 90 gallon, so now i am worried. placed one about 1/2 way and one closer to bottom, seem ok, but gosh first day. Any advice would be appreciated. He said twice a week we give it phyto-plankton and that is it, do I need other things. Not so trusting now!! he said they are incredibly hardy.....will get a pic of them tomorrow...
salty cheese
Active Member
ohiorn67
Is your skimmer a HOB or one that sits in the sump?
If it is the HOB kind it counts towards your turnover if it is the other it does not.
pohtr
Does the pump pictured below look like yours? If it does it is a Mag-Drive 5.
With a 90g and wanting 10X-15X for a FO, does that mean about 900-1350 gph?
Yup
Is your skimmer a HOB or one that sits in the sump?
If it is the HOB kind it counts towards your turnover if it is the other it does not.
pohtr
Does the pump pictured below look like yours? If it does it is a Mag-Drive 5.
With a 90g and wanting 10X-15X for a FO, does that mean about 900-1350 gph?
Yup
bseth90
Member
The xenia while hardy can be tricky at first. Your lighting sounds a little weak to me. I've got a 90 with 5 110 watt vho lights and its tough for me on some things. Dimensions would help to figure it out a little better. I worked my flow going across the tank lengthwise, one high one low...then one in the middle straight at the glass.
ohiorn67
Member
I have 260w...pc coralite setup with actinic and moon, total is 260w..is this not enough for these corals? LFS told me enough but they also told me they require low light and now I see otherwise, shold I take them back and get something else? thanks! I will probably do what you did with your powerheads...but thinking one low across back....one low opposite side across front and then 2 in corners of back facing in triangle towards glass, does this sound about right?
salty cheese
Active Member
Originally posted by ohiorn67
IT IS A HANG ON skimmer....pump is a mag3...I am going to order 2 more maxijet 1200's....I think that will get me close for reef. does that sound right? gets me to about 1700 best I think I can do
It sounds good to me, you can always upgrade.
but thinking one low across back....one low opposite side across front and then 2 in corners of back facing in triangle towards glass, does this sound about right?
Try it, every tank is different.
bseth90
Member
Yes...I have one high going to the right then my low one goes to the left...should have been more specific with the center one just goin straight at it. My total gph is 1560 and my light wattage to gallon is 4.3-5.1. What is the depth of your tank? I would worry about your lights...I think you got a handle on the gph.
salty cheese
Active Member
I'm lazy and I don't want to type it all out so google "mag drive flow chart"