Power head head height?

[kallmond]

I'm thinking of building a refugium in a planter box above my tank. I just finished my 55 gallon low stand build (21" tall stand + 8" canopy)

Attached is a diagram of my idea, I'm wondering how high a regular powerhead will lift the water. My canopy is 8" tall above the water, so I'd need the powerhead to lift the water maybe 12"? Is that possible or am I looking at a pond pump? Any suggestions as to which powerhead I should get? I'm going to want pretty low flow, since its going through my refugium, but i'm open to actual flow rate suggestions.

 

[beex215]

depends how strong the powerhead is. i used one as a return for a sump. worked out well

 

[Knowdafish]

depends how strong the powerhead is. i used one as a return for a sump. worked out well

Which brand and model?

 

[kallmond]

Bow to my mad MS paint skillz <grin>

Anyone have any idea or recommendations on which powerhead to use to pump the water out the canopy and into the planter (only about a foot up)

Also, any powerheads i've ever owned have had that diffuser thing on the end of the outlet, any experience in modding one to a hose?

 

[john73738]

Go with pond pump. On a 55 the movement benefit of a pump vs a powerhead would be signaficiant. But if you want to go powerhead then use one like this;

Keep in mind that this particular Maxiflow pump only puts out 300gph, and 12" head loss will bring it down to maybe 240ish gph.

If I were to do this I would use 2, one on each end and drain through the middle of the ref. Just my 2 cents
Hope this helps.

Bear

 

[beex215]

i was using an ac 70 powerhead

 

[redtailshark1]

my power head can lift 8 feet it even says so on the side it should be fine