Powerhead Question

[Ozzy Ozborne]

I have a Juwell 180 lite tropical tank,which has a problem with algae on the substrate.I have tried loads of solutions without success-this is my last chance !
A number of posts suggest using a Hydor Koralia powerhead to help circulation and movement.
I just spoke to Charterhouse Aquatics and they advise two Koralia "1" models rather than "1" Koralia 2 model.
This they advise would help overall circulation from both ends of the tank.
Has anybody else any advice / guidance on this?

Thanks

 

[waterdrop]

I simply agree that it -is- one of the most widely quoted approaches to controlling the triggering of algae. Since the problem appears related to any small pockets of still water that might form anywhere in the tank, its probably next to impossibe to completely eliminate them without creating a washing machine out of your tank. Careful use, however, of your filter outlets and a couple of the wide-swath Koralia's seems like it would go a long way to perhaps solving it. The trade-off will be tryiing to hide the things in your aquascape!

~~waterdrop~~

 

[BigC]

This alone will not cure your algal problems. Over illumination, over feeding (too much nutrients in the water column) can all serve to feed the algae.
Try using Phosphate remover such as Rowaphos as an extra deterrant to algal blooms
Regards
C

 

[kcharley]

I've got a Koralia 1 and like it a lot. Maybe I'm cheap but for what they cost, I would start with one. As WD says waterflow is tricky. You might try moving the intake and outlets first (I'm assuming you have a canister filter.) Also consider what might be blocking flow. I originally had my intake behind a large root and the outlet on the other end of the tank. As the sword plant grew, it blocked a lot of the flow. I tired a couple of configurations settling on putting the outlet (extended down 4 inches) just to the side of the root and the intake on the other side. I also angled the outlet to deflect it off the glass. That helped but it still wasn't enough with all the plants obstruction flow. Then I added the Koralia.

When you say "algae on the substrate" do you mean blue-green algae, basically a slime? If so, I doubt flow will help that. I got rid of mine by doing a three day blackout.

HTH.

Greg

 

[waterdrop]

Yes, I agree with BigC. I was assuming that light and feeding were being paid close attention to. I myself have recently done a little experiment where I kept everything else the same and took one hour of light away from my morning photoperiod and after a number of days I did see a definate effect on some algae. I do think overall lighting is important.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Ozzy Ozborne]

thanks for all your help.......i get my Koralia 2 pump on Thurs so will let you know how it all goes

regards

Mike

 

[youngfisher]

Good luck!

YF

 

[waterdrop]

Will be quite interested Mike, still thinking about one myself. One other recent person seemed to say his was noisy, so that would be an interesting aspect too.

~~waterdrop~~