Powerheads, Really Need Some Advice From Those Who Have Used Them Plea

[elisew]

After having changed my setup where the scaping is now Ocean rock and sand, I`ve been contemplating using a powerhead to help shift the waste towards the filter inlet a bit more. I will obviously continue with the weekly water changes and sand vac but as the rock is too heavy to shift constantly for cleaning I`m hoping a powerhead will help.
I`m looking for one that will suit a 389L tank but I have to bear in mind that my Tangs didn`t particularly like the current that my FX5 pushed out, I did slow down the outlet flow slightly then pushed it up again slowly until now when the fish seem to be coping with it ok. So I`d need to be looking at one that wouldn`t have too much flow associated with it.

I really don`t know if the Koralia Nano, Koralia Evo 2800 or one of the other Koralia`s will be ok, IF so which one in relation to adequate flow would be ok?
The more I read the more I`m getting a bit lost because I have no idea which would be best for my requirements, so I`d really appreciate as much help as possible

(Hope I`ve posted this in the right place, apologies to Mods if not )

 

[rdp50734]

Hi, I use the sun sun powerheads in mine. I use the 3000 lph and 2 x 6000 lph.

http/shop.ebay.co.uk/i.html?_trkparms=65%253A12%257C66%253A2%257C39%253A1%257C72%253A3133&rt=nc&_nkw=powerhead&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_sop=15&_sc=1

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/6000L-H-Marine-Wave-Maker-Aquarium-Fish-Tank-Power-head-/280564561079?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item4152f374b7

Koralias are too expensive for what they are. Try a 3000 lph if they are ok with it look at getting a second one if its needed.,

 

[elisew]

Thanks rdp

This is where it gets confusing for me because the nano was advised due to the fact my Tangs don`t seem to like a strong flow. The Koralia Evo 2800 is recommended for the size of my tank but I`m presuming the flow from that one would be too much, so surely a 3000 would be too much as well??

It`s really confusing when you`ve never used particular items before and the last thing I want to do is upset the way the fish are and waste money on another item that might turn out to be wrong or inadequate and will need to replaced with another model..... if that makes sense?

 

[ian]

The nano would be to small for that tank, i use a koralia 1 in my planted and it 200ltrs, if i was you i'd go for a Koralia 2 or even a 3.

 

[rdp50734]

Makes sense, I had 2 externals plus a 3000 lph powerhead in a 200l tank and it was fine. With the sun suns the flow is spread wider. Its not a direct flow. If you put your hand in front of it you can feel it, but after 8" you dont notice it. My point being I dont think it will effect the fish at all. The 6000 lph might though!

You need a compromise from moving debris to the flow I believe it will be fine.

 

[Aqua Tom]

noob question alert. whats a powerhead?

 

[elisew]

The nano would be to small for that tank, i use a koralia 1 in my planted and it 200ltrs, if i was you i'd go for a Koralia 2 or even a 3.

Thanks Ian, it does look like maybe the nano won`t make enough of a difference so may have to look harder at the 2800

Makes sense, I had 2 externals plus a 3000 lph powerhead in a 200l tank and it was fine. With the sun suns the flow is spread wider. Its not a direct flow. If you put your hand in front of it you can feel it, but after 8" you dont notice it. My point being I dont think it will effect the fish at all. The 6000 lph might though!

You need a compromise from moving debris to the flow I believe it will be fine.

So the Koralia Evo 2800 should be ok then, well in theory it appears it will be. I think the 6000 will blow the Tangs all over the place
Nobody Of The Goat has offered to let me borrow a 1500 powerhead bless him but if a 2800 would be ok then I`ll plump for it an get one from ebay. The Sunsun ones appear to be majoritvely from Hong Kong and I`m dubious about buying from such a distant seller should any problems arise. A Seller I`ve bought from quite a few times on ebay has the Koralia ones at a decent price so I`m happy to go with that.

Thanks for the help and advice so far

 

[myrtle]

noob question alert. whats a powerhead?

Basically it's a little pump that shifts water around the tank but without filtering it. Used to increase flow in planted tanks to ensure even distribution of ferts or as in Lisa's case ensuring that debris stays in the water column long enough to reach the filter intake in large tanks.
HTH,
Jo

 

[rdp50734]

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/3000L-H-POWER-HEAD-WAVE-MAKER-AQUARIUM-FISH-TANK-/150524683921?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item230bf86691

from Manchester! LOL

I used these, very good, quick delivery too!

 

[elisew]

noob question alert. whats a powerhead?

Basically it's a little pump that shifts water around the tank but without filtering it. Used to increase flow in planted tanks to ensure even distribution of ferts or as in Lisa's case ensuring that debris stays in the water column long enough to reach the filter intake in large tanks.
HTH,
Jo

Couldn`t have put it better myself

Thanks Jo

http/cgi.ebay.co.uk/3000L-H-POWER-HEAD-WAVE-MAKER-AQUARIUM-FISH-TANK-/150524683921?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&hash=item230bf86691

from Manchester! LOL

I used these, very good, quick delivery too!

Just a bit closer to home then!!

Wouldn`t the 3000 be too much?

 

[rdp50734]

IMO no it will be fine! At the moment I have a 350l trigon all be it a marine tank now but it has 2 x 6000 lph and 1 x 3000 lph powerheads giving 42.8x turnover!! 3000 will be fine for you. If not then I will buy the 3000 off you for the £10 it costs. And for that I give my word.

 

[elisew]

IMO no it will be fine! At the moment I have a 350l trigon all be it a marine tank now but it has 2 x 6000 lph and 1 x 3000 lph powerheads giving 42.8x turnover!! 3000 will be fine for you. If not then I will buy the 3000 off you for the £10 it costs. And for that I give my word.

Can`t get fairer than that huh

Are the Sunsun powerheads as quiet as the Koralia are meant to be? I`m a real stickler for quiet and can`t stand hearing rattles and vibrations

Also, what length is the cable on it as I`ve read it comes up quite short and does it come with a UK cable/plug adapter?

 

[elisew]

Actually scratch those last questions, hubby has just said he`ll buy the Koralia for me

Thanks for the help and advice though, really appreciate it

 

[rdp50734]

Congratulations!

 

[N0body Of The Goat]

Which Koralia are you being treated to, EliseW? The Evolution 2800?

I'm thinking of giving a lesser know brand 4000-5500lph powerhead a go in the 5-footer, Sunsun or alike. Just like I would love to see what the All Pond Solutions 2000EF filter is like, sometimes bargains can be cheap and reliable!