Water Movement in a 33 gal tank

[linda lee]

Best powerhead(s) on a budget would be _____________________________?

Also, 1? or 2 (one on each end)?

My tank looks like a jewelry box after my visit to kappaknight's ~ I want to keep these treasures looking beautiful.

Opinions on flow would be appreciated.

Thanks!

(P.S. ~ ~ these are all softies ... lights are 96X2 PC's)

 

[jhutto]

maxijets

 

[thekid55]

2 maxijets and a power filter.

 

[linda lee]

filter I have (Emperor 400 - HOB wheel) ~ but I was considering ditching that for a HOB fuge.

what size maxi's?

 

[seedless reefer]

She has one small maxi already.

We have a 1200 here in a box sure she doesn't want that much though correct?


<span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: blue;">Loren W.</span></span>

 

[photokid]

build a fuge under the tank the more water the better.

 

[thekid55]

here is a diagram i would use.... also could go with a skimmer instead of a power filter

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[wbholwell]

i would do 2 MJ 900's

 

[linda lee]

photokid;59967 wrote: build a fuge under the tank the more water the better.

Our other tanks are set up that way, but because of the placement of this particular tank in our office, it's just not an option. HOB fuge is the only way we can go.

But thanks for the suggestion!

~L

 

[jhutto]

1200 a little strong, for softies try the 300 and then move up as needed. They are always available used for a pocket change. They could be used with a wavemaker timer down the road if you needed.

 

[linda lee]

Thekid55;59968 wrote: here is a diagram i would use.... also could go with a skimmer instead of a power filter

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Have a HOB skimmer (CPR Backpack) and it's working great. Forgot to mention that.

 

[thekid55]

900s maxijets on sale on drfostersmith for $15 each and you can get 20% of with the coupon DODGE

 

[wbholwell]

15% off

 

[jhutto]

Cameron shared with me some info from Saltwater U that said the flow should not conflict but rotate in the water columns. If you push it across the top, then it will fall and come back across the bottom. He is right and it works that way in my tank. Keeps water moving rather than canceling things out. I would just play around with until it seems right with the amount of flow.

 

[thekid55]

Linda Lee;59974 wrote: Have a HOB skimmer (CPR Backpack) and it's working great. Forgot to mention that.

it seems like your going for and easy and clean setup! 2 maxijets and you already got the skimmer. All you need is PCs or two T5 bulbs and your good to go!

 

[thekid55]

jhutto;59978 wrote: Cameron shared with me some info from Saltwater U that said the flow should not conflict but rotate in the water columns. If you push it across the top, then it will fall and come back across the bottom. He is right and it works that way in my tank. Keeps water moving rather than canceling things out. I would just play around with until it seems right with the amount of flow.

the placements that i made was so the bottom powerhead pushes water toward the top and across the corals. An the more water at the top can be sucked into the skimmer and skimmed.

 

[george]

I'm going to go ahead and go against what seems to be everyone and say get 1 (or 2, even) Hydor 1's.

Yes, they cost more, but ... and I feel this is a BIG but (cue Sir Mix Alot ...) ... you get 2x the circulation at less than 1/2 the wattage. This is not the focused, rough circulation that a maxijet provides (which has its uses), but dissipates after a few inches. While it sounds like a ton of flow, softies will extend more and "wave in the breeze" nicely if provided with gentle, but high volume, flow. You also eliminate the vacuum intake that can clog and can suck up desirable residents to a chummy death.

2 Hydor 400's is just over 20x turnover for your tank which will give plenty of gas exchange. Yes, it's a $60 initial investment, but I think it will pay off in the long run. If you're really strapped, get one and add another later. Even 1 will do you better than 2 Maxis

Use your existing maxi for the HOB fuge or a backup. however since I have put Hydors in my tank, none have clogged or stopped working which is more than I can say for every conventional powerhead I've ever used.

 

[thekid55]

George;59986 wrote: I'm going to go ahead and go against what seems to be everyone and say get 1 (or 2, even) Hydor 1's.

Yes, they cost more, but ... and I feel this is a BIG but (cue Sir Mix Alot ...) ... you get 2x the circulation at less than 1/2 the wattage. This is not the focused, rough circulation that a maxijet provides (which has its uses), but dissipates after a few inches. While it sounds like a ton of flow, softies will extend more and "wave in the breeze" nicely if provided with gentle, but high volume, flow. You also eliminate the vacuum intake that can clog and can suck up desirable residents to a chummy death.

2 Hydor 400's is just over 20x turnover for your tank which will give plenty of gas exchange. Yes, it's a $60 initial investment, but I think it will pay off in the long run. If you're really strapped, get one and add another later. Even 1 will do you better than 2 Maxis

Use your existing maxi for the HOB fuge or a backup. however since I have put Hydors in my tank, none have clogged or stopped working which is more than I can say for every conventional powerhead I've ever used.

george while hydros are great. linda is on a budet. 2 Maxijets are good water movers. one with a hydro flow deflector and the other as is will work fine for softies in a 30 gal tank

 

[wbholwell]

Often cheaper to do it right the first time

 

[blind1993]

2 402s would be nice and try to make a vortex motion.