Is having two powerheads with a smaller amount of gph better than one with more gph?

FatherPrime3 · 07/10/2017, 04:32 PM

I have a 56 gallon column style tank and flow seems to be my main issue. I have one aqueon circulation pump rated for 1250 gph on the side of my tank pointed towards the surface. My green star polyps seem to love it but I can tell they are moving pretty rapidly. My zoas seem to not be bothered by it nor does my kenya tree coral. My duncan, acan, and hammer on the other hand will not open up fully. My hammer extends about halfway but almost always closes up later in the day. My acan just looks rough and its as though the flesh is shrink wrapped to its skeleton. What makes me believe flow is my issue is I recently moved my duncan that never opens behind a rock where flow usually doesn't reach as much. It started to actually open and continues to a little more each day. So, my main question is, should I go ahead and buy 2 smaller pumps to replace the big one so flow is more evenly distributed? Thanks!

mcgyvr · 07/10/2017, 05:57 PM

I always prefer multiple smaller powerheads vs one large one..

Then I can point one behind the rocks and on in front or whatever is needed..

Valentini89 · 07/10/2017, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

I always prefer multiple smaller powerheads vs one large one..

Then I can point one behind the rocks and on in front or whatever is needed..

+1 and you can keep a powerhead on the bottom keeping flow so stuff like cyano etc doesn't cause a problem.. I have one powerhead at the top of the tank and one at the bottom of my 26 gallon.

FatherPrime3 · 07/10/2017, 08:20 PM

Awesome, thanks guys!

Ron Reefman · 07/11/2017, 04:12 AM

IMHO, almost anything you can do in the tank to improve the randomness of flow and the ability of flow to get everywhere in the tank is a good thing!

07/10/2017, 04:32 PM	#1
FatherPrime3 Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 7	Is having two powerheads with a smaller amount of gph better than one with more gph? I have a 56 gallon column style tank and flow seems to be my main issue. I have one aqueon circulation pump rated for 1250 gph on the side of my tank pointed towards the surface. My green star polyps seem to love it but I can tell they are moving pretty rapidly. My zoas seem to not be bothered by it nor does my kenya tree coral. My duncan, acan, and hammer on the other hand will not open up fully. My hammer extends about halfway but almost always closes up later in the day. My acan just looks rough and its as though the flesh is shrink wrapped to its skeleton. What makes me believe flow is my issue is I recently moved my duncan that never opens behind a rock where flow usually doesn't reach as much. It started to actually open and continues to a little more each day. So, my main question is, should I go ahead and buy 2 smaller pumps to replace the big one so flow is more evenly distributed? Thanks!

07/10/2017, 05:57 PM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	I always prefer multiple smaller powerheads vs one large one.. Then I can point one behind the rocks and on in front or whatever is needed.. __________________ Who me?

07/11/2017, 04:12 AM	#5
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	IMHO, almost anything you can do in the tank to improve the randomness of flow and the ability of flow to get everywhere in the tank is a good thing! __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

07/10/2017, 08:20 PM	#4
FatherPrime3 Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 7	Awesome, thanks guys!