Best Placement For Powerheads?

ssungyo · 05/19/2003, 05:04 PM

I have a 30 gallon tall tank. 24Lx24Tallx13Deep....I have 2 powerheads....a Marineland penguin 1140 (30 gph) as well as a rio 800. I would like to strategically position my powerheads so that my corals will get the best waterflow. Which side should i put each powerhead, which direction?, how high up from the bottom? Those are my initial questions....thanx for reading the post! and thanx in advance for the replies!

Rock Anemone · 05/19/2003, 05:16 PM

I usually like to hide my power heads behind the rockwork. The rockwork will make the water flow go in various directions.

A lot of people also place 1 power head at each end of the tank pointing right at each other. That way, when they hit they will make a current throughout the tank.

Just test around with placement and see where the corals like them best.

Rock Anemone

brhibler · 05/19/2003, 05:26 PM

Mine 29gal is the standard model(30X18X13) and I have a 4-5" sandbed with 35lbs LR. Well depending on what corals your are wanting, current is one of the most important things. If you wanna have a rough estimate of the turn over rate of your water..ie.. current flow, then plan to have the total gallons in your tank to turn over 10-20 times. That would need a total of 300-600gph. I'm running mine to where the water turns over 13X an hour when the skimmer is running and when it is not it's about 20X an hour.

I use Maxijet PH's,on the right side I point a MP 900(230gph) at the surface, place one beside it, MP 600(160gph) and point it towards the front of the tank, and on my skimmer I have a MP1200(295gph) and it flows downward towards the left front of the tank.

Current is an nessesity with corals, also it helps prevent algea outbreaks.

Good luck

Nas19320 · 05/19/2003, 06:03 PM

I think the Marineland Penguin 1140 is rated for 300 gph.

Schmev · 05/21/2003, 08:14 PM

I have the "Penguin" 300GPH model in my 20H. Is that going to be too much? I only run it now and then for a few minutes because my Six-Line Wrasse seems to dislike it, and my shrimps have difficulty maneuvering.

katchupoy · 05/21/2003, 11:43 PM

I used to use two powerheads before.

I put them one on the upper left corner attached to the back glass facing the front glass. Face it a little bit to the left wall but still facing the front glass.

And the other one is on the right side on the same opposite position.

In this manner you will have areas that have very strong current and not so strong currents.

The middle part will be the strongest because this is where the two current meets,

You will have a nice effect because you have an uneven power of pumps.

Have fun

Katchupoy

Ti · 04/21/2006, 11:37 PM

corners

caldel · 04/23/2006, 11:13 AM

I have 4 maxijet 900's in my 55 gal (2 low in back and 2 high in front. Return from sump directed leftback to center front. Overflow right side. Wave maker set up to alternate between left and right powerheads. Tank seems to be VERY happy.

Hind · 01/31/2013, 04:31 PM

I have a 29 gal. I have 2 power heads (550 and a 240). I have the 240 in upper right back corner shooting right to left kinda elevated for water agitation. the 550 is left side wall back left corner aimed sorta at the front right corner of tank.

There seems to be sand and debris moving everywhere, I'll try this setup for a while.

05/19/2003, 05:04 PM	#1
ssungyo Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 95	Best Placement For Powerheads? I have a 30 gallon tall tank. 24Lx24Tallx13Deep....I have 2 powerheads....a Marineland penguin 1140 (30 gph) as well as a rio 800. I would like to strategically position my powerheads so that my corals will get the best waterflow. Which side should i put each powerhead, which direction?, how high up from the bottom? Those are my initial questions....thanx for reading the post! and thanx in advance for the replies!

05/19/2003, 05:16 PM	#2
Rock Anemone S.C.U.B.A. :) Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: California Posts: 7,674	I usually like to hide my power heads behind the rockwork. The rockwork will make the water flow go in various directions. A lot of people also place 1 power head at each end of the tank pointing right at each other. That way, when they hit they will make a current throughout the tank. Just test around with placement and see where the corals like them best. Rock Anemone __________________ Johnny Love Current Tank Info: <><

05/19/2003, 05:26 PM	#3
brhibler Registered Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Marble falls, Texas Posts: 405	Mine 29gal is the standard model(30X18X13) and I have a 4-5" sandbed with 35lbs LR. Well depending on what corals your are wanting, current is one of the most important things. If you wanna have a rough estimate of the turn over rate of your water..ie.. current flow, then plan to have the total gallons in your tank to turn over 10-20 times. That would need a total of 300-600gph. I'm running mine to where the water turns over 13X an hour when the skimmer is running and when it is not it's about 20X an hour. I use Maxijet PH's,on the right side I point a MP 900(230gph) at the surface, place one beside it, MP 600(160gph) and point it towards the front of the tank, and on my skimmer I have a MP1200(295gph) and it flows downward towards the left front of the tank. Current is an nessesity with corals, also it helps prevent algea outbreaks. Good luck __________________ Bryan R Hibler 2yr old 30gal reef Current Tank Info: working on my 10gal nano

05/21/2003, 11:43 PM	#6
katchupoy Moved On Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 1,548	. I used to use two powerheads before. I put them one on the upper left corner attached to the back glass facing the front glass. Face it a little bit to the left wall but still facing the front glass. And the other one is on the right side on the same opposite position. In this manner you will have areas that have very strong current and not so strong currents. The middle part will be the strongest because this is where the two current meets, You will have a nice effect because you have an uneven power of pumps. Have fun Katchupoy

04/21/2006, 11:37 PM	#7
Ti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 7,927	corners __________________ Hair algae is my Macro algae.

05/19/2003, 06:03 PM	#4
Nas19320 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chester County, PA Posts: 331	I think the Marineland Penguin 1140 is rated for 300 gph.

05/21/2003, 08:14 PM	#5
Schmev Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Plymouth, Wisconsin Posts: 789	I have the "Penguin" 300GPH model in my 20H. Is that going to be too much? I only run it now and then for a few minutes because my Six-Line Wrasse seems to dislike it, and my shrimps have difficulty maneuvering.

04/23/2006, 11:13 AM	#8
caldel Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: corona ca Posts: 46	I have 4 maxijet 900's in my 55 gal (2 low in back and 2 high in front. Return from sump directed leftback to center front. Overflow right side. Wave maker set up to alternate between left and right powerheads. Tank seems to be VERY happy.

01/31/2013, 04:31 PM	#9
Hind Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 57	I have a 29 gal. I have 2 power heads (550 and a 240). I have the 240 in upper right back corner shooting right to left kinda elevated for water agitation. the 550 is left side wall back left corner aimed sorta at the front right corner of tank. There seems to be sand and debris moving everywhere, I'll try this setup for a while.