135 Gallon Fish Tank - Powerheads

Oteeko

I have an Eheim 2080 filter with the spray bar placed on the center top of the tank. Would it be overkill if I purchased two Hydor Evolution 750 power heads and placed them on each corner? Or should I go with the 550 model instead? Thanks in advance.

This would be for a freshwater community tank with plants.

AbbeysDad

Yes on the overkill as with that filter and plants, you don't need any powerheads at all!
What makes you think you need more circulation....are you trying to simulate the turbulence of a raging river?!

1077

+}one

If tank with plant's is not going to receive CO2 injection where proper distribution of CO2 throughout ,along with nutrient delivery is more critical,, then the filter alone will prolly be enough.

Oteeko

The spraybar doesn't look like its circulating the water well. I can defintely see possible dead spots. In addition, I have a Fluval E series heater that is indicating Low Flow with just the spray, which is placed right next to the intake. What do you recommend to circulate the water?

Oteeko

I'm acutally going to place silk plants in the tank. Mainly focusing on a variety of fish I would like the tank to have an even flow of heat and filteration.

Byron

With canister filters, the filter intake and outlet should be at opposite ends of the tank lengthwise. Having the spraybar in the centre will result in much less circulation throughout the tank, and mainly confined to the section between the spray bar and intake.

With the spraybar at the left end along the end glass, and the intake at the back right corner (as an example, it can be reversed), you would have a flow from left to right throughout the tank. Replicates a stream nicely, and is very natural. You will find the shoaling fish will tend to always face upstream when at "rest."

Byron.

Oteeko

Thanks for the advise. I have a few big pieces of decors that will impede the flow to the other end and will cause dead spots. Should I add at least one powerhead? And where?

Byron

No. The decor will not impede flow, water will travel around any objects. It is more natural for the fish.

You do not need powerheads, that will cause more trouble in your situation.

Once you have the spray bar along the top of the end wall, direct the holes slightly downward against the glass. The flwo will then travel down to the substrate and across the tank. This is sufficient in a planted tank with forest fish.

Oteeko

So the spraybar attached to glass...aim it downward to the glass? If so, that's new to me. I thought it would be pointed upward to the other end of the tank?

Byron

That would create a flow mainly across the surface, which you don't want esp in planted tanks. And very little would go down into the tank. With the line of holes aimed directly into the glass it causes a flow down the wall plus onto the surface. Tilting it slightly downward creates more down the glass and less across the surface. I prefer the latter.