Just Curious: Powerhead placement

[reef madman]

I was just wondering if there is a correct placement and direction for powerheads? i have seen in pics some people have them in back of tanks, some on sides, some high/some lower in tank. some pointed at glass, others pointed middle of tank. is there really a correct placement, or is it just matter of personal choice?

[LISound]

the idea behind powerhead placement is to keep ditrus from settling to the bottom of the tank so it can be removed by filtration.
In any event, there should be some thought given as to where you want to put them.
One should be close to the surface to get surface aggitation to help with gas exchange.
Other then that...it's up to you.
Agian, the idea is to put them in spots where there is no flow...(dead spots)

How big is the tank?
How much rock.
The more structure you have, ie. rocks and stuff the more flow you will need.
Powerhead are based on velocity so make sure nothing is getting blasted.
Hope that helps.

[alaskaknucklehead]

Great advice,

Its all about flow, more info would be helpfull.

[reef madman]

i have 55 gal. with 90 lbs LR. currently using 2 maxi-jet 1200's, one on each side of tank about 4 inches from top with flow upwards just above the top of the rock. what i have noticed when i was feeding my clown pellets ( for the whole 3 days i had him, R.I.P ) the ones that didnt float into the overflow ended up settling in the sand below the PH's. i assume thats what would be considered the dead spots?

[rachyl756]

I tend to aim my phs at each other sorta.

I have 4 phs right now in my 90, one towards the bottom of the overflow pointed up at the return, I get nice turbulance where those 2 hit, if I feed the tank right, I can drive my dotty back insane chasing brine shrimp, there is one point if you plop a frozen small cube it spins and throws food giving my dottyback a real workout.

My next 2 are about 2 inches off in heigh gtom each other in the center (bubble mat is over them) They are both pointed towards the front, just with the streams crossing. Definately powerheads seem to mean avoid the old ghostbusters adage of don't cross the streams yes cross the streams!

My 4th is under my biggest pile of rock since its a kinda hollow cave where my cleaner shrimp live. They are all Maxijet 1200s

So I have that plus a 600 (I think) gph pump from the over flow and the skimmer. chaotic flow (its not really random just really complex ) happens anytime 2 stream hit each other OR an irregular object is invovled. Like a tream pointed at rock.

In my 220, I have 3 mj900s (went with those since they run cooler than the 1200s) they are UNDER the PVC structure holding up all the rock. between the sucking in of the water and the 3 streams from the PHs. bu the time you get to the surface of that rock it is very chaotic. I will of course add more to a 220, but that was just whats in there for now thats not temporary. The rest is just keeping the water kicking around while its curing.