Questions about Water Flow

[incognito]

Hello all,
I have a question about water flow within the tank. My tank is 40 gallons with the only source of current comming from my canister filter. I have been playing with the idea of putting in a power head on the other side of the tank to get more current going, but I don't want to be blowing my fish around the tank. Currently I only have 3 damsels (Spelling) for break in purposes. But will be upgrading to angles and even some shrimp down the road. What do you all think? More flow or leave it as is?
Incogntio

 

[melbournefl]

Welcome to the board! What kind of tank do you have? Fish only? Reef? Corals? and what are your long term goals for the tank? Do you have live rock? Live sand? you get the picture, need a bit more info about what you're after to give advice
Later,
Paul

 

[jackdp]

I don't think the fish would mind the powerheads at all. The only problem you may encounter down the road is if you want to do corals, some corals prefer more current, some prefer less. You can easily get around this by placing the corals in or out of the current. I have a 20gal tank and have 2 powerheads and 2 outflows from my filter, my 2 damsels don't mind at all. The powerheads help keep debris and food from settling on the bottom and give your filter time to pick it out, they also help agitate the surface facilitating gas exchange which can be very beneficial.

 

[incognito]

Okies here is more info on what I am planning. Currently it is a fish only tank. In the next 6 months to a year I am planning on adding a shrimp or two and then may look at adding corals to the corners to have a little bit of everything. Granted I may hear that is not the best idea. The wife wan't anenomies (Spelling) but then that requires a change in the fish. Long term goal is primarily fish tank with shrimp and some corals. Hope this helps.
Incognito.

 

[jackdp]

Again, I would get the powerhead, something like a Maxi-Jet 900 or even a 1200. For some corals 2 might even be better, depends on how much current your filter return generates.