Powerheads

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tcav88

Potamotrygon
MFK Member
Jan 12, 2017
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Is there any right or wrong way to place the fan of a powerhead? I know its best to eliminate deadspots but i see a lot of people with two powerheads one on each side of the tank and never knew what the advantages are of that.
 
I've seen a whole array of different ways to keep the powerheads, really is no wrong answer. As long as your powerhead isn't kicking up the sand and the fish aren't having a hard time swimming against it you should be okay. Many put them on each side of the glass to get a nice current for the fish to swim against. My main concern is surface aggitation followed by deadspot removal. My pump is a lot stronger then it needs to be so I have a lot of flow from the sump pump and don't worry much about dead spots
 
I always thought having a return current from a sump or canister combined with two powerheads was overkill but a lot of people do it. Never understood how it didnt cause a whirlpool or sand to kick up, even when they had powerheads facing down toward the sand
 
Sometimes my sand does kick up in the front corners of the tank but it's not too crazy and it pushes everything to the back to get sucked into the overflows. But I don't run powerheads like you said it is overkill in my opinion as well to have strong sump flow and powerheads.
 
The reason why i added a powerhead to my tank was to circulate the water and provide more oxygen as i have to keep my tank at 86 degrees for my cichla temensis fry, i feel like the fish would be blown left and right with two powerheads
 
I run a couple of these in my 180

SUNSUN JVP-202 3200 GPH 24W Powerhead Aquarium Circulation Pump Wave Maker Suction Cup Dual Head USA by i-mesh-bean https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OIP0J1S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_krBOybZ84RNHS

They push out a wider flow if you take off the optional nozzles. They do a great job keeping the pleco poop up off the bottom and corners. My fish don't seem to mind the gentle current without the nozzles.
 
Also forgot to mention, many times people add two powerheads to benefit corals because they have them attached to wave makers. This makes it so there is interchanging currents coming from different directions to make it more natural and not hitting the coral from just one side.
 
I havent touched the saltwater side of the hobby yet maybe thats why im not familiar with these reasons.thanks fanatic for the replies and help!
 
I'm a huge fan of high flow tanks for obvious reasons mentioned in this thread. Personally, I like to have a large powerhead pointed across the top of the tank, creating a jacuzzi effect at the surface. This aides in oxygen transfer at the surface which the fish seem to appreciate.
 
I have one facing the top but couldnt imagine one on each side, i feel it would blow everything everywhere
 
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