powerhead problem

nemo79 · 07-07-2006, 05:25 PM

i bought a powerhead and it comes with a tube that you can add to the water for it to add air into the tank. is this suggested to do or will the current from the powerheads be enough for oxygnenation and movement? i have crushed coral substrate and 1 maxi jet 400 pwrhead, 1 aquatech pwrhead ( 170 gph) and the aqua clear filter(up to 70 g). i will also have aqua c remora skimmer. my filter adds alot of movement in my tank...what do u pros think. and how would you place the powerheads?

gkw · 07-07-2006, 05:50 PM

I wouldn't use the tube with the powerhead because it adds bubbles/microbubbles to your tank. Microbubbles are considered an eyesore for most reefer, plus too much of them will kill your fishes/corals/LR by sticking on them. Your skimmer should be enough for oxygen. You should place the powerheads in a way to eliminate any dead spots.

HTH!

nemo79 · 07-07-2006, 06:35 PM

thanks so much, i was hoping someone would reply, do u think i have enough gph for my tank. i only plan on housing soft easy to care for corals

coral reefer · 07-07-2006, 07:29 PM

Skimmer does alot for oxygenating your water. One little tip as well, before you do a water change place an airstone in the new saltwater for an hour or so. Run it with an airpump-it will oxygenate the new water.
Your powerheads are more for suspending detritus in your water column for the skimmer to pick up more efficiently and effectively. They will help to bring oxygen to your corals and carry away carbon dioxide, will help rid detritus and lessen the dead areas in your tank(depending on powerhead gph, placement and rockwork).
It is very important for you to read up on the types of corals you have or plan on adding to your tank in the future with regards to water flow. Improper water movement could have detrimental effects on corals, sponges, gorgonians, some sessile inverts and Tridacna's!

nemo79 · 07-07-2006, 07:40 PM

thanks for the advice. i get very worried about doing everything correctly, don't want major deaths later. i didn't do my homework for my fw in the beginning and let me tell you, after all the death i learned and learned. that's why i'm asking so many questions and the books can get too technical for me, i'm not a moron but i like basic answers. thanks again

coral reefer · 07-07-2006, 08:04 PM

Your welcome! That's what we are here for...to help others! None of us know everything-we are always learning through our failures and screw-ups. There are many knowledgeable people here at 3reef to help-just don't be afraid to ask questions. There are no dumb questions-only the ones you didn't ask. Hey, we were all beginners at one time-we all started out with the same glass(acrylic tank) and had to try to coordinate everything and place living organisms in our tanks, that relied on our knowledge and patience for their long term success.
Many times we failed, but then, when we did succeed and our confidence grew and our experience paid off, well...we became known as part of the reefers annonymous clinical patients!