Thinking about a powerhead

1796 Views 9 Replies 3 Participants Last post by avraptorhal, Oct 1, 2013

lilbabyvenus

Discussion Starter · Sep 30, 2013

My canister filter seems to slowly be making my tank look better, but it's still not as good as my two HOBs. I think it'll get there eventually, but I'm thinking that maybe a powerhead will help circulate the tank better. I have the spray bar against the back of the tank on the left side, and the intake is in the center of the right side about 1/3 up from the bottom of the tank. If I get a small powerhead, where would be a good place for it to help move debris to the intake?

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jaysee

· #2 · Sep 30, 2013

I mount my spraybars on the side glass, so that it pushes the water across the length of the tank, not into the glass directly in front of it. With the narrowness of the 55 gallon, it takes a little creativity but it's possible - I did it. I also put the intake in the same corner of the tank as the spraybar. I saw a computational fluid dynamics model that demonstrated that that was the best placement of the intake.

I would still get a powerhead though, to put on the opposite side glass, in the back, 2/3 up from the bottom. That will give you the best circulation.

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jaysee

· #3 · Sep 30, 2013

Truthfully though, if you are going to spend money on a powerhead then you might as well get a second canister filter. If you are going to drop money on a powerhead, then why not spend a little more and get the filter? Then you get the added circulation PLUS doubling your filtration capacity.

All of my 4 foot tanks and larger have multiple canisters on them, set up to create a circular flow in the tank. One pushes the water across the front of the tank to the others intake, and the other pushes it back along the back glass to the first's intake. In my experience that is the optimal setup. Of course my experience is with non planted tanks.

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lilbabyvenus

Discussion Starter · #4 · Sep 30, 2013

jaysee said:
Truthfully though, if you are going to spend money on a powerhead then you might as well get a second canister filter. If you are going to drop money on a powerhead, then why not spend a little more and get the filter? Then you get the added circulation PLUS doubling your filtration capacity.

All of my 4 foot tanks and larger have multiple canisters on them, set up to create a circular flow in the tank. One pushes the water across the front of the tank to the others intake, and the other pushes it back along the back glass to the first's intake. In my experience that is the optimal setup. Of course my experience is with non planted tanks.

I would, but it's another $55 canister vs a $7 powerhead. I'm just not sure about a second canister. I really wanted to clean up the clutter of multiple filters.

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lilbabyvenus

Discussion Starter · #5 · Sep 30, 2013

jaysee said:
I mount my spraybars on the side glass, so that it pushes the water across the length of the tank, not into the glass directly in front of it. With the narrowness of the 55 gallon, it takes a little creativity but it's possible - I did it. I also put the intake in the same corner of the tank as the spraybar. I saw a computational fluid dynamics model that demonstrated that that was the best placement of the intake.

I would still get a powerhead though, to put on the opposite side glass, in the back, 2/3 up from the bottom. That will give you the best circulation.

I don't think I can mount my spray bar along the side of the tank. I can modify it to make it fit, but then I can't use my lids, so that just doesn't work for me. I just don't know. I feel so uneasy about this canister yet. I honestly thought it would make things run easier for the tank, but I'm constantly feeling worry and doubt about it.

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jaysee

· #6 · Sep 30, 2013

$7 powerhead? That has to be the cheapest one on the market. Many are in the $25-40 range.

You most certainly can mount it on the side, without any modifications. I know this because I did it.

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lilbabyvenus

Discussion Starter · #7 · Sep 30, 2013

jaysee said:
$7 powerhead? That has to be the cheapest one on the market. Many are in the $25-40 range.

You most certainly can mount it on the side, without any modifications. I know this because I did it.

So what if it is one of the cheapest ones on the market? That doesn't really have anything to do with what I'm asking about :lol: Just had to point out that I'm cheap?

Actually, I just tried again, I will have to cut off at least 2-3" to make the spray bar fit. Maybe I have different pieces than you? All my bags were open when I got my canister, so maybe something was misplaced and then replaced with the wrong (longer) piece that should go with another set. Maybe I could just use one half of the bar. Then I wouldn't have to cut anything apart in case I need to move everything around again.

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jaysee

· #8 · Sep 30, 2013

You don't have to use every piece it comes with.

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lilbabyvenus

Discussion Starter · #9 · Sep 30, 2013

jaysee said:
You don't have to use every piece it comes with.

I know, I'm still learning though, and trying to figure out the best way to position everything

I removed the second half of the spray bar and have it spraying across the length of the tank. I actually really like this! I don't have the bar against the glass, I'll have to either cut apart the lid or remove it and I'm not ready to do either one until I'm sure this is how I want anything, so the spray bar is about 6 inches from the glass. My plants are swirling around the top of the tank now :lol: Thanks for the help jaysee! I'm still debating moving the intake tube... If I do, it'll be a project for after my son goes to bed if I do though! HA!

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avraptorhal

· #10 · Oct 1, 2013

jaysee said:
I saw a computational fluid dynamics model that demonstrated that that was the best placement of the intake.

Is the computational hydraulic flow you available to the general public? I would like to study it if it is. I would also appreciate a URL for the site, if you would.

Thanks in advance!!!

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