What should I do with these power heads?

drizcol

Member
I use two Penguin 660 power heads (170 gph each) and a H.O.T Magnum model 250 (250gph)which is a hang on side style filter. I do not have any holes drilled into this tank nor am I willing to do that. So my question I guess is, is this filtering system Im useing sufficiant for a fish only tank? I also plan on adding 30lbs of base rock and 45 lbs of live rock to cycle the tank instad of using damsels.
If I add sand to the tank, Im pretty sure the under gravel system will pull the sand under the plastic gravel filter system. So should I take the power head off of the tube that connects it to the under gravel plastic base. Then try to mount the power head some else where under water?
I think I would leave the plastic base under the crushed coral gravel and just put several layers of sand over it.
Is this a good idea???
if not, why is it a bad idea??
 

coachklm

Active Member
uhhh....you need to read and search this site a little more
key words to search for ..../
undergravel filter
Crushed Coral substrate
powerheads
good luck
my advise ....
sand substrate
hand the undergrravel filter to the garbage man
get a skimmer and whooaalaah
 

drizcol

Member
Ok, wow that made a big differance!
Ok now Im going to take out the UGF system and the Crushed Coral and replace it with sand. but now I have a new question that I coundnt find a specific answer about.
I just purched my live Rock. Im going to use it to cycle the tank. I now plan on adding sand.
Should I add the "dead" sand and live rock. then wait for the tank to cycle and then add some live sand?
OR
Should I add "dead" and with live sand on top of it while the live rock cycle the tank?
in other, much simpilar terms: Should I wait for the live rock to cycle the tank befor I add the live sand?
One other thing.
I read that it is not a good idea to put the live rock directly on top of the sand. They said to place it directly on the glass, which worries the hell out of me. Or put it on top of a pvc frame structure. Which is the best safest way to do it? Or am i totaly wrong and just place the live rock directly on the sand?
Help!
 

farmboy

Active Member
Rock on glass first. Some folks use PVC. This is for stability. THe glass on the bottom should be tempered, so don't sweat it. Dead sand next. Live sand on top of all the dead sand- then cylce away. The live sand and live rock has bacteria in it to help get everything going.
The reason for not stacking rock on top of sand is to prevent an avalanche if some marine critter decided to make his home UNDER the rock. :scared:
Hey and welcome!
 

drizcol

Member
Thank you !!!
That should get me going for now. I have some more questions about refugums and the right filter system to use but I can figure all that out after I get the tank finally cycleing
 
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