newbie powerhead/wavemachine questions

[ddold]

So, stupid question and all, but I haven't actually seen one yet since the tank is still dry and we've got a long ways to go before we get to circulation, but do powerheads require plumbing to deliver water, or do they suck it in and spit it back out from the tank water to generate their flow?

If they require plumbing, is the wavemaster simply then a master box that controls which powerheads get flow at what time to create a current like ebb and flow?

Dave

 

[Len]

Powerheads are fully submersible and draw water from the tank and spit it right back out. No plumbing is required to run them; just submerge and plug into the outlet

I think by wavemaster, you meant wavemaker. These devices are simply controllers that turn on and off up to 4 powerheads in various patterns ranging from true random to sequential/oscillating to preset times. Instead of plugging your powerheads into the wall, you plug them into the wavemaker instead and it will time when each come on and off.

Hope this helps. That's what we're all here for

 

[jcpetersen]

While we're on the subject...

Is there a guideline to placing the powerheads? I know you want to maximize coverage, but where are they typically placed? At different levels in the tank, correct? Any set ups to avoid?

Anyone care to share how they set up their powerheads, and maybe why they did it that way?

Thanks!

 

[ddold]

Cool ... well, that means I still need to decide how to deliver water back to the tank, but it makes my plumbing chores easier.

I'm interested in recommended placements as well then. I'd assume anything to close to the sand bed would lead to a bare spot in the tank. If connected to a decent wavemaker, how many powerheads would be required for good circulation in a 6' x 24" x 24" 135 gallon tank? One in each corner?

Dave

 

[fungia]

i put my powerheads on the top corners of my tank with a red sea wavemaker. most of the tanks i see do it this way and i think it is probably the most common places where people put their powerheads.

 

[ddold]

great ... thanks. One less thing to wonder about now.

Dave

 

[jcpetersen]

i put my powerheads on the top corners of my tank with a red sea wavemaker. most of the tanks i see do it this way and i think it is probably the most common places where people put their powerheads.

Are they all pointing clockwise/counterclockwise, or towards the middle of the tank, or in some other direction?

 

[bc-matty]

Hey all! I just bought my salt water tank yesterday, and tonight I have it finally up and running. My filtre at the moment is moving my water... all that is in the tank is just the sand ( letting the ph and all adjust ) Anyhow.. I was about to buy my pumps today but the sales guy told me to wait and price them out ( he is opening his own store elsewhere so was really candid about prices ) The Power heads are a little dilema for me to. A display tank at the store had two power heads.. both in the top corners. Except that one was low near the bottom, pushing water directly over a chunk of live rock. Is this the way to go, especially with corals in the tank ( constant direct flow? )

Also my tank is a 30g. What size pumps to use? I was told to use two 802 sized power heads. Oh yeah.. I am keeping clowns and corals and a clam.. if that helped.

 

[liquid]

<snip> Anyhow.. I was about to buy my pumps today but the sales guy told me to wait and price them out ( he is opening his own store elsewhere so was really candid about prices )

Heh, I'm suprised the sales guy didn't get canned on the spot for telling you that about his prices at his new store.

The Power heads are a little dilema for me to. A display tank at the store had two power heads.. both in the top corners. Except that one was low near the bottom, pushing water directly over a chunk of live rock. Is this the way to go, especially with corals in the tank ( constant direct flow? )

You want good flow throughout your tank. Placing powerheads in various positions throughout your tank is a good way to accomplish this. You don't want to point the powerhead directly at the coral as the water velocity may be too much for them if they're directly in front of it.

Also my tank is a 30g. What size pumps to use? I was told to use two 802 sized power heads.

By "802" I'm guessing you're referring to a Hagen 802? Yeah 2 should be plenty in a 30 gal as they're about 400 gph each.

Oh yeah.. I am keeping clowns and corals and a clam.. if that helped.

What kind of corals and what kind of clam? What lighting are you thinking about?

Shane