Equipment Question for tank
 

If you have an AC70 (as I do) you don't need to add a powerhead...just reduce the water level in your tank slightly and you'll have a slight water fall from your filter. Having 'said' that, I don't think you want/need it in a planted tank - My tank ins't planted but still I use cut water bottles to baffle the return of my AC70 to make a less turbulent aquarium environment (that still has circulation).

Powerheads have an intake and an output about two inches apart on the unit. They pull water in and spew it out the other side.

Are your fish gasping at the surface? Why do you think you need more oxygen? Most tropical fish don't like a lot of current... The AC 70 is pushing it IMO.

I think you have sufficient movement now, and probably too much.

Thanks all! Perhaps I should be trying to build more biological filtration? I guess the only character in the tank that would prefer more water flow is my Bamboo shrimp :) I think what frustrates me is I do a WC each week, and have been feeding every other day, but today have nitrates at 20ppm, so I will do my WC tomorrow, which is one week exactly. I know 20 is acceptable, but I have this goal of having 0 nitrates, and I do have plants. Maybe I'm just being crazy, and trying to find other toys to add. Thanks, I won't get a powerhead. Should I look at getting a small filter with a bio-wheel, or is that just dumb? It would seem like an AquaClear 70 would suffice for a tank just over 40 gal. And it's not like I'm overstocked

Gwen

43 gal
5 neon dwarf rainbows
4 Angelica/bermese loaches
1 Blue Gourami
3 ghost shrimp
1 Bamboo shrimp
5 kuli loaches

There should be no need for more filtration or water movement with that stocking and plants. Have you tested the tap water for nitrate?

When you test the tank, presumably using the API liquid test, are you shaking the bottle of Regent #2 for at least 2 minutes? The instructions say 30 seconds but many have found this results in an inaccurate (and high) result.