Power Heads

haowin · Aug 17, 2010

Hey guys, so im lookin into gettin some more flow in my tank, Ive currently a 37imp Gallon tank, have aqua cf1000. Lol just realised its only outputting 1000lph, no wonder there was no flow

, Just had had a look http

/www.aquarist-classifieds.co.uk/php/detail59_160349.php says its suitable for 200-240g #128###? my tanks 170L, so its not even enough for that.. right? Cause ive been looking at powerheads on ebay and they've got 3000lph powerheads advertised for 120L tanks? the rule of thumb is to have 10x your tank for a good flow, i figure that faster flowing fish will like it. But im really confused, just looking to to circulate my tank more without blasting the fish to the other side as a consequence lol (as funny as it maybe)

ian · Aug 18, 2010

a koralia nano would do the job, as would a koralia 1.

ChilliPepper · Aug 18, 2010

haowin said:
Hey guys, so im lookin into gettin some more flow in my tank, Ive currently a 37imp Gallon tank, have aqua cf1000. Lol just realised its only outputting 1000lph, no wonder there was no flow , Just had had a look http/www.aquarist-classifieds.co.uk/php/detail59_160349.php says its suitable for 200-240g #128###? my tanks 170L, so its not even enough for that.. right? Cause ive been looking at powerheads on ebay and they've got 3000lph powerheads advertised for 120L tanks? the rule of thumb is to have 10x your tank for a good flow, i figure that faster flowing fish will like it. But im really confused, just looking to to circulate my tank more without blasting the fish to the other side as a consequence lol (as funny as it maybe)

I have the CF1000 on my 190L tank. I feel this filtration on its own can be sufficient depending on your stock. It would give you around 6x turnover which is generally sufficient in most community tanks.

However, I feel the same as you and prefer more turnover. I have Rainbowfish who appreciate the extra filtration rate and circulation.

I added a Koralia Nano to my 50g, and now have 10x turnover on there which works very well. I don't think you'd need anymore, as the fish wouldn't appreciate a whirlpool. The powerheads you have been looking at on eBay seem to be marketed more towards the marine environment, where turnovers of 20x etc is normal.

ETA: I think you were getting confused with litres and gallons on that advert you were reading. The advert says suitable for between 200-250L, you only have a 170L. Personally I think 200L is the maximum it is suitable for.

haowin · Aug 18, 2010

Thing is, ive got the spray bar at the back pointing downwards towards the front of the glass so it hits it and disperses around the tank. Ive got a pentagon tank, so its useful

. But cause the power of the output isnt strong enough the current isnt getting to the back of the tank where my tanks most heavily planted. So in case of algae infestation being a result of poor co2 dispersion i wanna up the current a bit. But yea, didnt figure about the powerheads focusing marine tanks. Saw a members tank that had the one in the link for a trop tank so thought it might be alright. Well cancelled the order, and still looking. Guess i could always just wack my old filter head in there or something.

ChilliPepper · Aug 18, 2010

You didn't read my post correctly. I agreed it was a good idea to add a powerhead for extra circulation and litres per hour, that is what I did. It's cheaper than adding another filter, and improves circulation/aeration around the tank.

I recommend the Hydor Koralia Nanon 900L p/h :good:

N0body Of The Goat · Aug 18, 2010

I'm about to unleash a real Zaire/Congo river emulation on my Rio inhabitants in the coming week...

A Wavemaker 12000 (2x 6000 litres per hour combo powerhead) for a wide power current at 30 squids!

Fortunately my Rio fish all come from fast flowing water, so the output won't be an issue for them, but time will tell what the plants make of it (the Lugwigia and Cambomba will be going in the "quiet corner," while the Windov and Java Fern "will take one for the team!"

I did consider a Hydor Koralia Magnum 8, which can be had on Ebay for ~£100 posted, but I do like trying "no frills" food for the price...

If it works out, its a steal for the price, but not too bad if it if isn't so great a product! Taking the same approach on an All Pond Solutions 2000EF external filter with integrated 9w UV sterilizer for 75 squids, buying both products fro the APS Ebay store

haowin · Aug 18, 2010

@chilli, my bad, lol
Well ive canceled the one off ebay and saw the hydor at 20+ excluding p&p, bit outta my price range for a powerhead alone, experimented with unused filter pumps and seems to do ok, altho the juwel one seemed a bit strong up until 6-7inch where the current would just die off, the one ive got in it atm has got the plants swaying a bit. so might do the trick.
rofl the java fern taking one for the team, didnt half tickle me. :lol: