Return and power head placement/aiming advice

LeadFootedRacer · 10/18/2015, 02:06 PM

My tank (90 gallon) is 7 weeks old to the day. I've finally got the rock work the way I like it, and now want to make sure the returns are aimed properly and the power heads are placed and aimed properly as well. I know a lot of it is opinion, but I don't have an opinion with so little experience.

Currently I have 1 1150gph and 1 600gph power heads. I will be picking up another 1150gph in a week or two. The return pump is 900gph at 5' (returns are only 4' up) and is split into dual returns.

Any advice?

BillNye · 10/18/2015, 07:40 PM

Your returns look fine to me. I purchased these so that I'd get more random flow and they work great.

When I used powerheads like that, I would just tinker with them until my corals were swaying and there was enough random flow. I pointed mine basically right at each other, but yours might be different.

Bpb · 10/18/2015, 10:16 PM

Honestly if you're not going to go the controllable DC powerhead route...I'd get two powerful AC powerheads like you're using. Place them at opposite ends, centered front to back, pointed straight across, about 3" below the water line and put each one on a separate timer. Run them alternating every 30 minutes to an hour or so. A poor mans gyre as id call it. The water will move in a circular manner, but alternating it will prevent you from getting static flow syndrome where hard corals tend to grow in odd undesirable shapes. That is how you'll get the most out of your powerheads without spending a ton of money

LeadFootedRacer · 10/19/2015, 04:18 AM

Is this the type of controller you are talking about? Or are you referring to something like an Apex controller?

I was going to put the 2 1150's on the controller and the 600 on a standard all the time outlet.

Bpb · 10/19/2015, 06:23 AM

The hydor controller is perfect for what I was suggesting. What I meant about DC pumps on a controller was the jaebo, vortech, tunze, and gyre pumps

LeadFootedRacer · 10/19/2015, 06:25 AM

Awesome. I will do that. 30min intervals would be appropriate?

Leaving the 600 in the middle to break everything up, constantly on, ok? Or should I move it to the fuge or something?

Bpb · 10/19/2015, 06:33 AM

That one you may have to mess with to find a spot you like

LeadFootedRacer · 10/19/2015, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bpb

That one you may have to mess with to find a spot you like

Anything in particular i should be looking for, that will tell me the placement is right? Right now the tank is fishless and has no corals either.

Bpb · 10/19/2015, 11:49 AM

Just keep an eye out for dead spots or places where you may develop cyano or detritus buildip

10/18/2015, 02:06 PM	#1
LeadFootedRacer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 192	Return and power head placement/aiming advice My tank (90 gallon) is 7 weeks old to the day. I've finally got the rock work the way I like it, and now want to make sure the returns are aimed properly and the power heads are placed and aimed properly as well. I know a lot of it is opinion, but I don't have an opinion with so little experience. Currently I have 1 1150gph and 1 600gph power heads. I will be picking up another 1150gph in a week or two. The return pump is 900gph at 5' (returns are only 4' up) and is split into dual returns. Any advice?

10/18/2015, 07:40 PM	#2
BillNye Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Socal Posts: 226	Your returns look fine to me. I purchased these so that I'd get more random flow and they work great. When I used powerheads like that, I would just tinker with them until my corals were swaying and there was enough random flow. I pointed mine basically right at each other, but yours might be different. __________________ Trust me - I'm a scientist. Current Tank Info: 125G

10/18/2015, 10:16 PM	#3
Bpb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 3,148	Honestly if you're not going to go the controllable DC powerhead route...I'd get two powerful AC powerheads like you're using. Place them at opposite ends, centered front to back, pointed straight across, about 3" below the water line and put each one on a separate timer. Run them alternating every 30 minutes to an hour or so. A poor mans gyre as id call it. The water will move in a circular manner, but alternating it will prevent you from getting static flow syndrome where hard corals tend to grow in odd undesirable shapes. That is how you'll get the most out of your powerheads without spending a ton of money

10/19/2015, 04:18 AM	#4
LeadFootedRacer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 192	Is this the type of controller you are talking about? Or are you referring to something like an Apex controller? I was going to put the 2 1150's on the controller and the 600 on a standard all the time outlet.

10/19/2015, 06:23 AM	#5
Bpb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 3,148	The hydor controller is perfect for what I was suggesting. What I meant about DC pumps on a controller was the jaebo, vortech, tunze, and gyre pumps

10/19/2015, 06:25 AM	#6
LeadFootedRacer Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 192	Awesome. I will do that. 30min intervals would be appropriate? Leaving the 600 in the middle to break everything up, constantly on, ok? Or should I move it to the fuge or something?

10/19/2015, 06:33 AM	#7
Bpb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 3,148	That one you may have to mess with to find a spot you like

10/19/2015, 11:49 AM	#9
Bpb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 3,148	Just keep an eye out for dead spots or places where you may develop cyano or detritus buildip