Water Pump/ Power Head /internal Filter

[always4lora]

Hi' All,

I've got a 4x2x2 100g aquariums which is filterd by a Fluval fx5 filter, this provides a fair bit of water movement however i think i shoul have some more. I want more to help the plants grow a little , im using the EI fertilization so presumably the more flow the more the ferts will get spread. I have some silver dollars which i feel would appreciate some more flow as well(these probs will be changing to boseman's rainbows in the next few months).

I was just wanting to weigh up what to get to help the flow, i'm notr sure on exactly what the benefit of a power head over a water pump is and vice versa ? Also i was thinking of possibly getting an internal filter instead as this would help filteration , but wasnt sure on what water flow this would give me compared to the power head /water pump?

Any advise?

Cheers Ben

 

[three-fingers]

The FX5 will easily cover the mechanical filtration, and any biological filtration that the plants aren't taking care of. So I wouldn't bother using an internal filter when there are more energy efficient methods of adding circulation

You have roughly 6x the tanks volume circulating per hour, generally recommended for planted tanks is 10x, or more. The idea is that all areas of the tank should have some circulation, preferably evenly all over, to avoid small pockets of tiny amounts of ammonia forming which can encourage the growth of algae. Also for spreading CO2 around the tank. There will be other benefits, but those are the main two cited ones.

A powerhead is just a type of water pump, it gives out a very fast narrow stream of water in one direction, and can be used to power filters. The main advantage of powerheads for extra circulation is that they are usually cheaper than "circulation pumps", and you can direct the flow right across and accuratly into an area of the tank that has low circulation.

Downside to them is that they provide less turnover for the money spent on them and the flow is very narrow, so multiple powerheads would be needed to give an even flow over a large tank.

Circulation pumps are generally preferred for planted tanks and mainly marine aquariums, because they are very energy deficient and spread the flow very evenly throughout the whole tank, without completely blasting fish about. They provide a wider flow.

There are loads of options for both powerheads and circulation pumps, I would personally be looking at a Koralia 4 to add to your tank, on the opposite side of the FX5's output. These are good value for money.

Tunze circulation pumps are widely regarded as being excellent quality, but at a price. There are loads more new ones out to try too.

 

[jonny_dw]

powerheads are best for current and flow if your filter outlet isnt providing enough flow for you or your needs.A powerhead is great for active fish and ones that like current, Ive always used them in piranha tanks, they love swimming in the current. Definitely go for a powerhead if your just looking for extra current.

 

[three-fingers]

powerheads are best for current and flow if your filter outlet isnt providing enough flow for you or your needs.A powerhead is great for active fish and ones that like current, Ive always used them in piranha tanks, they love swimming in the current. Definitely go for a powerhead if your just looking for extra current.

Have you ever used a modern circulation pump?

I'd have to whole heartedly disagree that powerheads are better...

 

[always4lora]

Cheers for the response, so i should use the water pump?

 

[JustKia]

Go for a circulation pump. Totally argee with three-fingers on this one.
I was thinking of looking at adding a powerhead to increase my circulation but I didn't want to turn my tank into a whirlpool. aaronnorth suggested a wavemaker instead as you get the turnover but it isn't in one powerful jet.
That got me looking around a bit. I ended up buying a resun circulation pump and I'm very happy with it. And it's virtually silent!

 

[always4lora]

Eheim Compact+ 3000 Pump (1500-3000 ltr/hr) would this be ok? its £54
Rio 2500 Subermisible Water Pump Powerhead 2972 Lph £40
SEIO Super Flow M820 Pump 3200 LPH £27


Would these be over kill? i think they would come in handy when filling the aquarium up after emptying it , i use a large diameter hose connected to the fx5 outlet i can empty half my tank in about 10minutes. When i come to fill it via hose from the kitchen tap takes about an hour to fill up. I have a water container thats huge and was thinking of putting the pump in there to put the water back in when it comes to water changes.

 

[england]

im not sure with pumps and things

I have my fluval fx5 and on same side as outlet i have a internal tetratec1000 it blows across the back wall and seems to work well for me, not sure with planted tanks etc...

 

[hensonc4098]

Slightly off topic but what plants do you have with silver dollars? Our silver dollars just destroy any kind of green thing we try to put in there

 

[always4lora]

not sure on species, im clueless when it comes to plants, i started off with a fair few differernt types , the smaller ones got eaten but the larger tuffer ones are growing really well! at some point well change to rainbow fish and get some better plants.