Optimal Powerhead Placement

mhhauser321 · 07/25/2007, 08:52 PM

So what do you know about finding the right powerhead placement.

In my situation I just have One Powerhead going into my 15 gallon along with the return line.

Are there certain strategies for this kind of thing that i don't know about or is it just a hit and miss kind of thing?

I am trying to learn what I need to know to have the best coral growth and water movement in the aquarium.

I know about the basics off water movement I just don't know where to place a powerhead to provide this.

What are some tips and advice for this situation?

also any articles would be helpfull.

matt

bhdmc · 07/26/2007, 11:45 AM

Typically most people place their P/Hs in the back corners aiming them toward the middle of the front panel. This will depend on your rockwork to get the optimal flow. It is trial and error to get the optimal flow for each tank since each tank is different. In my tank, I have the P/Hs opposite of the above since my rockwork in pile high against the back of my tank. So, the P/Hs are in the front corners aiming toward the middle of the back panel. I have seen some tanks with the P/H line up on the back panel facing the front panel. IMO, you do not want any dead spot in your tank. This will keep detritus from settling and help bring food to the corals and remove coral's waste.

kuoka · 07/26/2007, 12:34 PM

I have three P/H's. One on top left flowing right and one equal powered one low on the right causing a circular flow. My LR is set on top of smaller base rock so water flows under the LR too. My other P/H flows behind my LR to mitigate detritus buildup.

mhhauser321 · 07/26/2007, 12:37 PM

Thanks alot I appriciate the info.

So there are really no articles out there about this or real strategies, its just trial and error.

I know there are articles about water movement and so forth but for p/h placement its just a guessing game.

kuoka · 07/26/2007, 12:42 PM

No articles that I'm aware of. It's mostly personal preference and where you want to place corals as it relates to flow etc.

Amphiprion · 07/26/2007, 12:43 PM

It is something that will be dictated by many factors in the tank--rock and coral positioning, tank shape, etc. You will just have to experiment and find the best placement for your tank.

mhhauser321 · 07/26/2007, 01:48 PM

Can you point a powerhead directly at rock structure?

mhhauser321 · 07/26/2007, 01:49 PM

of course you can, but is it good or bad

sry
matt

kuoka · 07/26/2007, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mhhauser321
of course you can, but is it good or bad

sry
matt

The only harm is if you have a coral that doesn't like high flow at or near the place on the rock where you'll be directing the flow. At times I've directed mine at a rock to diffuse or re-direct the flow.

glassbox-design · 07/26/2007, 02:27 PM

optimal placement is where the most dead spots are eliminated and corals receive the appropriate flow. of course what is appropriate depends on the corals you keep. e.g. acroporas need completely different flow that do mushrooms and leathers.

LockeOak · 07/26/2007, 02:41 PM

I would imagine that if you point it straight at the LR that spot will likely remain pretty bare, but if it's out of sight then it doesn't really matter. I have a 10G nano with a HOB refugium that pumps out a ton of water across the top towards the front, flows down the front of the tank and then back for a strong circular flow (like a wheel rolling towards you). Then I have a maxijet in the top left back corner that pumps to the right and against the glass to create some cross-current.

07/25/2007, 08:52 PM	#1
mhhauser321 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 283	Optimal Powerhead Placement So what do you know about finding the right powerhead placement. In my situation I just have One Powerhead going into my 15 gallon along with the return line. Are there certain strategies for this kind of thing that i don't know about or is it just a hit and miss kind of thing? I am trying to learn what I need to know to have the best coral growth and water movement in the aquarium. I know about the basics off water movement I just don't know where to place a powerhead to provide this. What are some tips and advice for this situation? also any articles would be helpfull. matt __________________ "Fry: I'm not a robot like you, I don't like having discs cramped into me... unless they're Oreos... and then only in the mouth." "Fry: Wow. That guy makes Speedy Gonzalez look like Regular Gonzalez"

07/26/2007, 12:34 PM	#3
kuoka Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NorCal Cali Posts: 713	I have three P/H's. One on top left flowing right and one equal powered one low on the right causing a circular flow. My LR is set on top of smaller base rock so water flows under the LR too. My other P/H flows behind my LR to mitigate detritus buildup. __________________ They say don't talk about someone unless you've walked a mile in their shoes.. But if you do, at least you'll be ahead of them AND have their shoes! :) Current Tank Info: 72gal glass bow front reef, mostly LPS with some SPS, tangs, anthias, blenny, paired percula clowns, gold headed sleeper goby, red fairy wrasse

07/26/2007, 12:37 PM	#4
mhhauser321 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 283	Thanks alot I appriciate the info. So there are really no articles out there about this or real strategies, its just trial and error. I know there are articles about water movement and so forth but for p/h placement its just a guessing game. __________________ "Fry: I'm not a robot like you, I don't like having discs cramped into me... unless they're Oreos... and then only in the mouth." "Fry: Wow. That guy makes Speedy Gonzalez look like Regular Gonzalez"

07/26/2007, 12:42 PM	#5
kuoka Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NorCal Cali Posts: 713	No articles that I'm aware of. It's mostly personal preference and where you want to place corals as it relates to flow etc. __________________ They say don't talk about someone unless you've walked a mile in their shoes.. But if you do, at least you'll be ahead of them AND have their shoes! :) Current Tank Info: 72gal glass bow front reef, mostly LPS with some SPS, tangs, anthias, blenny, paired percula clowns, gold headed sleeper goby, red fairy wrasse

07/26/2007, 12:43 PM	#6
Amphiprion Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 6,611	It is something that will be dictated by many factors in the tank--rock and coral positioning, tank shape, etc. You will just have to experiment and find the best placement for your tank. __________________ You've done it now, haven't you? Current Tank Info: 40g breeder patch reef w/ seagrass; 2-250w XM 10K; Vortech MP40wES & MP10wES; BM Curve 7 skimmer; carbon & occasional GFO

07/26/2007, 11:45 AM	#2
bhdmc Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: New York Posts: 956	Typically most people place their P/Hs in the back corners aiming them toward the middle of the front panel. This will depend on your rockwork to get the optimal flow. It is trial and error to get the optimal flow for each tank since each tank is different. In my tank, I have the P/Hs opposite of the above since my rockwork in pile high against the back of my tank. So, the P/Hs are in the front corners aiming toward the middle of the back panel. I have seen some tanks with the P/H line up on the back panel facing the front panel. IMO, you do not want any dead spot in your tank. This will keep detritus from settling and help bring food to the corals and remove coral's waste.

07/26/2007, 01:48 PM	#7
mhhauser321 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 283	Can you point a powerhead directly at rock structure? __________________ "Fry: I'm not a robot like you, I don't like having discs cramped into me... unless they're Oreos... and then only in the mouth." "Fry: Wow. That guy makes Speedy Gonzalez look like Regular Gonzalez"

07/26/2007, 01:49 PM	#8
mhhauser321 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 283	of course you can, but is it good or bad sry matt __________________ "Fry: I'm not a robot like you, I don't like having discs cramped into me... unless they're Oreos... and then only in the mouth." "Fry: Wow. That guy makes Speedy Gonzalez look like Regular Gonzalez"

07/26/2007, 02:27 PM	#10
glassbox-design Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: SF Posts: 3,041	optimal placement is where the most dead spots are eliminated and corals receive the appropriate flow. of course what is appropriate depends on the corals you keep. e.g. acroporas need completely different flow that do mushrooms and leathers. __________________ GLASSBOXDESIGN the modern reef blog LEDs are a 50,000 hr investment. Choose wisely. Current Tank Info: ...a new glassbox is coming

07/26/2007, 02:41 PM	#11
LockeOak Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 839	I would imagine that if you point it straight at the LR that spot will likely remain pretty bare, but if it's out of sight then it doesn't really matter. I have a 10G nano with a HOB refugium that pumps out a ton of water across the top towards the front, flows down the front of the tank and then back for a strong circular flow (like a wheel rolling towards you). Then I have a maxijet in the top left back corner that pumps to the right and against the glass to create some cross-current.