Whats The Best Way To Up The Circulation In Tank?

[Harlequins]

I have a 55 gal 4 ft tank,with 2 tetratec externals (ex700 & ex1200) running with the outlet flows across the back of the tank flowing straight across the surface towards the front.

I had an issue with BBA for a while,which resulted in me removing all artificial decor and adding new,now that i have live plants & bogwood etc,i dont want this re-occuring has knowing my luck it will...

Anyhows i've been reading that poor circulation may result in BBA,i thought my 2 externals plus the airstone would produce enough but obviously not
I dont have an issue with an ammonia/nitrite in the tank,steady at zero on weekly testing.nitrate around 40(10 from tap)tank has been running for around 2 yrs.

what would you recommend for improved circulation or maybe oxygen increase?

Any help appreciated

 

[STEWARDSONS]

you could put a powerhead on there with an air inlet. priduces a jet with air in it.

i had one on mine just fits on the end where you would put a spraybar

 

[mattbleasby]

You shouldnt have too worry about oxygenation, As oxygen gets into the water by surface movement so aslong as you have enough of that your laughing.

Circulation on the other hand can be an issue with big tanks especially if planted. I would recommend getting a powerhead into the tank too increase middle and bottom.

Hope this helps

Matt.

 

[Athena]

So both your output flows run from the back to the front of the tank? So there's not much surface agitation in the centre section of the tank, is that right?

Could you not adjust the positioning so that the output flows both run lengthways to the tank, one at each end, covering a wider surface area of the aquarium? And ensure that the output nozzles sit right on the water level (or slightly above it for more water movement, depending on whether your fish are compatible with it) and not submerged.

Airstones increase water surface movement but don't really add oxygen to the tank, as such.

Athena

 

[Harlequins]

Thanks for your replies

Atm the 2 spraybars are across the length of the tank,with the spray just breaking the surface,admittedly the ex1200 being more powerful does reach across the entire tank,whereas the smaller ex700 probably aims 3/4 across...

What powerhead would you recommend to add please?

 

[Proxo]

What powerhead would you recommend to add please?

Free bump as i'd like to know answer to this too, i read 3000LPH powerheads will do a 55g?

 

[KkAaNnEe]

3000 seems a bit overkill on a tank that size, 1500 or less will probably be better. Like a Koralia nano or 1

 

[StandbySetting]

I'd go for a Hydor Koralia 1.

 

[Harlequins]

I'd go for a Hydor Koralia 1.

Thanks

I just looked online at these,forgive me for sounding dim,but will this still work without the wave maker they mention?

And would the nano version be too small for a 55 gals?(thinking of funds )

 

[StandbySetting]

It seems that they've changed their branding a bit, go for this one:

http/www.charterhouse-aquatics.co.uk/catalog/hydor-koralia-nano-1600-circulation-pump-p-2494.html

It is the old Hydor Koralia 1 but under a different name.

 

[Harlequins]

Many thanks,you're a star

 

[coldcazzie]

A pic of the tank would help Harlequins then we could tell you where best placement might be.

 

[Harlequins]

Here's a pic of the tank,4 footer,i was thinking if i put it on the right hand side(has you're looking at the pic,didnt fit the whole tank in),maybe halfway along the side wall so it sprays across the length of the tank,would this work??

Only because this side has the smaller external running across from back to front along the surface,so less flow than the other side??

What do you think??

 

[StandbySetting]

Can you get a shot of the tank with only the tank lights as a light source and the rest of the room darkened? It'll make seeing the filter pipe work much easier, ideally you want the powerhead pointing towards the stagnant algae covered areas, but the Koralia's are good as their flow is powerful, but evenly spread, unlike most conventional powerheads.

 

[coldcazzie]

Sorry, I meant angled upwards, so that we can see the spray bars. And ideally, as sbs said, with tank lights as the only light source. Can't tell from that picture where the spray bars are and therefore where the flow might go