Does a power head count on turn over?

[svtim]

Im running a fx5 and a 405 on my 265gal. i also have two 1160 pwr heads in there with a sponge pre filter. Does the flow rate of the pwr heads add to my turn over rate?

 

[rallysman]

If it's pulling the water through the sponge it could be considered, but I wouldn't rely on it.

I wouldn't rely on turnover rate exclusively anyway. I turn my tanks over a LOT less than most people with positive results.

 

[srikamaraja]

If the sponge pre-filters have been in-tank long enough to be colonized by beneficial bacteria, then yes, they contribute to overall turnover.

I've been using cheap wal-mart (regent aqua-tech) power heads with aquaclear sponges as prefilters for years with amazing results.

 

[Cohazard]

If it's pulling the water through the sponge it could be considered, but I wouldn't rely on it.

I wouldn't rely on turnover rate exclusively anyway. I turn my tanks over a LOT less than most people with positive results.

Truth.

 

[svtim]

they are pulling through the sponges. i use 2 marineland sponges i thing they are meant for their reverse flow system i just have them on the intake side.

 

[svtim]

A lil bump to get more opinions.

 

[johnptc]

they help

 

[svtim]

prob LIL more with a air line to get oxygen to the water.

 

[hybridtheoryd16]

If it filters i count it. I also have sponges on my power heads. I did it just because I did not want a open power head for the feeders to get ground up in.

 

[Jgray152]

I would consider it to an extent. Example, I would never have an Ac110 which has documented flow of 500 GPH on a 125 gallon (4 CPH) tank by its self and expect it to handle a large bio and mechanical load

I would say its helping but I wouldn't coun't on the turn over. 1160 gph power head in a 265 gal tank has a turn over rate over 4.3 cycles per hour. That is a good turn over rate and acceptable in many aquariums. I would never count on the power head with a thin small sponge to perform all the mechanical and biological filtration needs of that in a 265 gal tank.

I would only use them for circulation. The Sponge is mainly there to keep the impeller clean and clog free.