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My new powerhead

10K views 14 replies 3 participants last post by  GOURAMIKEEPER83 
#1 ·
I bought me a new powerhead for my undergravel filter. Up until now I have used nothing but a air pump with air stone. I'm new to the hobby so not much experience in this department. Anyway the powerhead I bought did not come with instructions. I know that I need to fully submerge the pump but what about the air tube does it go under water or above it? I need some advice on how this powerpump works since I noticed all mostly look the same. My powerhead does come preset at 170 gph with no adjustments and it is made by marineland. Any information will be helpful thank you.
 
#2 ·
I am guessing your UGF has a lift tube? Does the bottom of the powerhead fit down inside the lift tube?
Not sure if your powerhead is the same as mine. I have the air tube out side of the water. I have attached a valve at the end of the air hose so I can adjust the amount of air coming from the powerhead.
 
#4 ·
If the air line is regular size air tubing, you can pick up a valve at any fish store or Walmart. You don't need any thing fancy, just a plain plastic valve will do, one that allows you to turn the knob to let less air pass through.
You may want to wait till you have it all connected, to see if you really even need it. My powerheads just saturate the tank with air bubbles, without the valve.
 
#7 ·
The make is a Aqua-Tech power hear made by Regent a sub-company of Marineland. The model number is 3PH and it is pre-set at 170 GPH with no adjustments. It circulates my water great the only problem that I have right now is that I have no way to regulate the amount of oxygen this pump is bringing into my tank.
 
#14 ·
Bubbles have nothing to do with oxygen exchange. Take a look at people who keep a lot of aquatic plants and have CO2 injection systems. They know that if you just set up a diffuser and let bubbles go right to the surface it has zero impact on your system. The only way to get the CO2 to diffuse into the water is to extend the contact time of the CO2 with the water for as long as possible. That's the reason for contraptions like:



It keeps the bubble in the water for as long as possible and works quite well. A bubble's surface area is just to small to diffuse any significant amount of gas into the water. The best way to get oxygen into your tank's water is through surface turbulence. You increase the surface area of the water by churning it up and promote more gas exchange. Your best way to to this will be to aim the output of the power head so that it churns up the surface of the water. Don't waste your money on an air pump if that's all you want it for.
 
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