Fighting A Loosing Battle?

[Biulu]

I think they are quite bulky but it depends upon the size of your tank. Furthermore you should notice that they give off quite a lot of heat, so lower the temp. on your heater.

 

[Malt_Vinegar]

I think they are quite bulky but it depends upon the size of your tank. Furthermore you should notice that they give off quite a lot of heat, so lower the temp. on your heater.

Surely everyone now is using a thermostat controlled heater, why would you need to adjust anything??

 

[Vin Swords]

buy a power head and try.. again and again.. in the end you will get it right.. like i did..

I think they are quite bulky but it depends upon the size of your tank. Furthermore you should notice that they give off quite a lot of heat, so lower the temp. on your heater.

Surely everyone now is using a thermostat controlled heater, why would you need to adjust anything??

if is it getting too hot, take the heater out and get a thermostated plug for power head...

 

[VaegaVic]

Thank you for that, I think I get it now!

I am afraid as I have never used a powerhead before, I don't know anything about them. Would someone mind answering a few questions on them?

- Should they be used instead of bubble curtains? Or as well as? Both do different things, bubble curtains aerate, powerheads circulate.
- How do you know which is best for your tank? I had a look and they only give the LPH. LPH is litres per hour, simply select the flow for your tank. If your tank is 60L, don't go for a 6000LPH as that will be circulating your tank 100 time an hour. Depends what time of flow you want, but the average is about twice-thrice the tank volume.
- How easy are they to clean? Very, only one moving part, the impeller.
- Is the whole thing internal (aside from the power cable of course!) and do they look bulky? Generally no, some can be very discreet, but it is still another piece of metal and plastic that will stick out in a natural tank.

Thankyou!

Hope that helps!

 

[CrystalClear16]

Thats brilliant, thanks

So for my 125L tank I should be looking at 250-375 LPH to start with? (Yup I know my loaches will outgrow this )

Also, I believe clown loaches enjoy a bit of a current - but should I make sure there are areas that 'shield' from it?

 

[VaegaVic]

Thats brilliant, thanks

So for my 125L tank I should be looking at 250-375 LPH to start with? (Yup I know my loaches will outgrow this )

Also, I believe clown loaches enjoy a bit of a current - but should I make sure there are areas that 'shield' from it?

Yea exactly, that LPH will help you start off with, I personally prefer then 10 times turnover rule we use with plants, so your tank would need 1250LPH by my liking, a good way to test it is this.

Find out what LPH your internal filter is, take it apart into just the power head, remove all filtery bits (sponges and what not), plug it back in and see how it runs.

It should run at peak efficiency, giving you an idea of what LPH you'll want.
Always try and have slow spots in the tank where less active fish can rest, imagine it's like being blown around in the wind all day.

 

[Twinklecaz]

Yeah these are the issues I'd have

1: Would it be too much for Gouramis: and

2: Would it cause more sand to get into the filter?

I'm keen to try this though if it means less poo on the sand. Bane of my life!


Sorry Crystal keep butting in. I do that a lot!

 

[Malt_Vinegar]

I dont get much, if any sand at all in my external filter. The intake is only an inch or so higher than the sand.

I use slate in my tank, and this provides a number of dead/low flow spots where the fish can sit still if required.

 

[CrystalClear16]

I have slate in my tank too. Hmmm, I will have to do some experimenting ^^

@Twinklecatz - its a thread for everyone!

 

[Twinklecaz]

LOl thanks. That's how I see it. Hope you've got some useful info