Powerhead placement/strategy

[thbrewst]

OK, so I've been up and running for a few months now. Things are going pretty well thus far, but I'm now to the point of trying to fine tune things.

I have 3 Koralia Evo 1400s creating the flow in my 175 bowfront (plus whatever is coming from the returns). I have an old RK that I am using to turn them on/off sporadically but it is not exactly the 'wavemakers' that most folks are using today. Anyway, at any given time only 2 of the 3 are running. I am thinking of getting a 4th and hooking it up to my battery back-up and having it always on, so one of them would be consistently on.

Now to my question...What is a good strategy for placement, on/off time, size/power for creating aquarium flow? At this point I almost feel like I randomly threw these in the tank and am hoping that it is working.

I currently have both LPS and SPS.

 

[gnashty]

tagging along

 

[cr500_af]

I would add the fourth one, and keep two on costantly (at/in front of the rockwork). The other two I'd run daylight only, partly directed at the back, so the fish that sleep in the rocks can have it calmer.

 

[thbrewst]

Do most folks put them toward the top of the tank either directed across the tank or downward? Any benefit to putting them lower in the tank pointing upward?

Also, how much movement should I expect them to add to the surface? With the strength that I have right now they really do not ripple the top that much so I am concerned about my gas exchange.

 

[gnashty]

I let my returns point up and break the surface tension of the water and let my powerheads do the flow


if you have a sump with a skimmer in it your probably getting plenty of oxygenation anyway

 

[cr500_af]

gnashty;578286 wrote: I let my returns point up and break the surface tension of the water and let my powerheads do the flow


if you have a sump with a skimmer in it your probably getting plenty of oxygenation anyway

Same here. Don't worry about the surface, try to get good flow to all points in the tank. It will help you keep the water quality up down the road. Dead spots trap waste.