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05/31/2013, 09:32 AM
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#1 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 140
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Powerhead questions
So I have recently acquired a petco power head that says 25-40 gallon tanks on it. I have a 20 gallon tank. I have some zoanthids, a kenya tree coral, and I am hoping to get some xenia. Some more specs of the power head: 160 gal/hr, 110v, 60Hz, 10.5 w (or .014hp). I want to know if I can safely use this power head in my aquarium (ie: no broken or maimed corals). Thank you for your help.
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05/31/2013, 10:18 AM
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#2 |
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Registered Member
 Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Garden Grove, Ca
Posts: 17,023
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Could you use it? Yes, although it is not efficent (it pumps 160 GPH but uses 10.5 watts) so if you had heat issues it would not be the best pump to use. A Koralia 240 GPH powerhead by comparison pumps 240 GPH and only used 3.5 watts. Do you have other powerheads in the tank? You should have at least a total of 400 GPH of water flow.
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05/31/2013, 10:39 AM
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#3 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 557
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I would be cautious about putting those in my tank. I had one literally overheat and melt in a freshwater tank. Granted that was about a decade ago, but still...
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05/31/2013, 10:44 AM
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#4 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Western Massachusetts
Posts: 1,091
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I am also weary of the 'Petco brand' they contract the cheapest item brands and have them print "Petco" on their products... so you're effectively getting the cheapest of the products...
As far as flow goes for softies, I would say to not have anything less than 14 times your total capacity of flow per hour... that's no less than 280 GPH for you. Edit: Sorry I just noticed Thegrun suggests 400. Not meaning to contradict. 400 would be definitely better but I think 280 should be your bare minimum... |
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05/31/2013, 10:56 AM
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#5 | |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Garden Grove, Ca
Posts: 17,023
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Quote:
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05/31/2013, 11:00 AM
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#6 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 642
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As a word of advice. Don't use cheap equiptment. Cheap stuff fails and I wouldn't trust my tank to a petco brand powerhead...not to mention it is horribly inefficient like others have mentioned.
__________________
Work in Progress: 75g Rimless DT | 20g sump | Aquamaxx ConeS-1 | Two Tunze Turbelle 6025 Tank established 02/16/14 |
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05/31/2013, 11:03 AM
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#7 | |
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Recovering Detritophobe
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 7,443
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Quote:
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If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles |
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05/31/2013, 11:12 AM
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#8 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 140
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Thanks for all the suggestions! It was from my friends old 20 gal, so I just got it from him for free. I will look into getting a stronger power head!
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