Proven Powerhead Placement Please

crock921 · 04/24/2014, 06:47 AM

I have been experimenting with multiple powerheads in my biocube 29.

While it was cycling, I thought I found a good location, but then I added a clown pair.

Whwen I added them, they stayed in the front left corner, and seemed to be struggling to get out. Lots of people said this was normal behavior, but when I shut off the wp-10 (placement in the back under the water inlet, pointing up and front), they began happily swimming all around the tank. Apparently the flow setup was too much for them.

Right now I have the return (MJ1200) pointing diagonally across the top, and the Koralia 425 on the left side in the back pointing across the tank to the right.

Where have you had success with WP10 placement and happy fish? Maybe I had it on too high a setting?

Any tips would be great. I really like this wave maker, but cant seem to find a sweet spot with it.

MacWilliams · 04/24/2014, 06:59 AM

I would think you have enough flow with the return and the MP10. Just dial it down a bit and see how that works. Also, you may want to reposition it on the side of the tank to get some horizontal flow going instead of all your flow headed in one direction. The surface aggitation with the MJ is good placement. Any cube tank can be difficult to get the flow right. Just keep playing with it.

In regards to the clowns they should start moving around a little bit more once they are comfortable enough but dont expect them to be constantly on the move. They tend to find an area they like and stay very close to it. Especially if you plan on adding a nem, once they find that they will probably stay within a few inches of it other than to dart out for food and back. Hope this helps.

Wideboty2000 · 04/24/2014, 07:27 AM

He has a WP10, not a MP10

MacWilliams · 04/24/2014, 07:39 AM

Ah, sorry about that. I misread.

crock921 · 04/24/2014, 07:59 AM

Thanks. Yeah, the Koralia goes left to right along the back wall.

Maybe I will try putting the WP10 in the bottom corner and aim it up.

It was just odd. As soon as I cut off the WP10, the clowns started swimming laps all around the tank. When it was on, they seemed to be stuck in the front corner

crock921 · 04/24/2014, 08:00 AM

For now it is right at the top of the water, a little bit on the water inlet. It is making a nice wave and the clowns are happily swimming around. I may have found a spot that works for me, at least until I get corals and they dont like it!

Dmorty217 · 04/24/2014, 08:09 AM

Turn the koralia off and just try to use the wp-10 and see what happens. Also rearranging your rock may help create some lower flow areas for the clowns to hang out in. When the clowns claim their "spot" they won't move around he tank much. My buddy has a pair and the female just lays on the giant hairy mushroom he has and rarely moves. (He has 2 mp40s and a quite one 3000 return on his 125g

leveldrummer · 04/24/2014, 08:51 AM

the flow is not too much for them, they are just acting weird.

Trust me, they live just fine in massive SPS tanks with massive amounts of flow, and they live just fine in the wild with tides coming in and out, and storms and waves and all that kind of stuff. Your power heads arent putting out anywhere near the flow they can stand.

04/24/2014, 06:47 AM	#1
crock921 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 210	Proven Powerhead Placement Please I have been experimenting with multiple powerheads in my biocube 29. While it was cycling, I thought I found a good location, but then I added a clown pair. Whwen I added them, they stayed in the front left corner, and seemed to be struggling to get out. Lots of people said this was normal behavior, but when I shut off the wp-10 (placement in the back under the water inlet, pointing up and front), they began happily swimming all around the tank. Apparently the flow setup was too much for them. Right now I have the return (MJ1200) pointing diagonally across the top, and the Koralia 425 on the left side in the back pointing across the tank to the right. Where have you had success with WP10 placement and happy fish? Maybe I had it on too high a setting? Any tips would be great. I really like this wave maker, but cant seem to find a sweet spot with it. __________________ Biocube 29: WP10, Koralia 425, Tunze Nano ATO, MJ1200 Return, Reef Crystals

04/24/2014, 07:59 AM	#5
crock921 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 210	Thanks. Yeah, the Koralia goes left to right along the back wall. Maybe I will try putting the WP10 in the bottom corner and aim it up. It was just odd. As soon as I cut off the WP10, the clowns started swimming laps all around the tank. When it was on, they seemed to be stuck in the front corner __________________ Biocube 29: WP10, Koralia 425, Tunze Nano ATO, MJ1200 Return, Reef Crystals

04/24/2014, 08:00 AM	#6
crock921 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 210	For now it is right at the top of the water, a little bit on the water inlet. It is making a nice wave and the clowns are happily swimming around. I may have found a spot that works for me, at least until I get corals and they dont like it! __________________ Biocube 29: WP10, Koralia 425, Tunze Nano ATO, MJ1200 Return, Reef Crystals

04/24/2014, 08:09 AM	#7
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	Turn the koralia off and just try to use the wp-10 and see what happens. Also rearranging your rock may help create some lower flow areas for the clowns to hang out in. When the clowns claim their "spot" they won't move around he tank much. My buddy has a pair and the female just lays on the giant hairy mushroom he has and rarely moves. (He has 2 mp40s and a quite one 3000 return on his 125g __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

04/24/2014, 06:59 AM	#2
MacWilliams Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 410	I would think you have enough flow with the return and the MP10. Just dial it down a bit and see how that works. Also, you may want to reposition it on the side of the tank to get some horizontal flow going instead of all your flow headed in one direction. The surface aggitation with the MJ is good placement. Any cube tank can be difficult to get the flow right. Just keep playing with it. In regards to the clowns they should start moving around a little bit more once they are comfortable enough but dont expect them to be constantly on the move. They tend to find an area they like and stay very close to it. Especially if you plan on adding a nem, once they find that they will probably stay within a few inches of it other than to dart out for food and back. Hope this helps.

04/24/2014, 07:27 AM	#3
Wideboty2000 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 15	He has a WP10, not a MP10

04/24/2014, 07:39 AM	#4
MacWilliams Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 410	Ah, sorry about that. I misread.

04/24/2014, 08:51 AM	#8
leveldrummer Reefer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,831	the flow is not too much for them, they are just acting weird. Trust me, they live just fine in massive SPS tanks with massive amounts of flow, and they live just fine in the wild with tides coming in and out, and storms and waves and all that kind of stuff. Your power heads arent putting out anywhere near the flow they can stand.