Michigan Cichlid Association

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Stan M. on February 21, 2013, 07:34:23 AM

Title: powerheads
Post by: Stan M. on February 21, 2013, 07:34:23 AM

When it comes to powerheads,  aquaclear or marineland?

Title: Re: powerheads
Post by: Regalblue on February 21, 2013, 08:00:30 AM

I don't think you can go wrong with either one, but I've always used AC.

Title: Re: powerheads
Post by: RichE on February 21, 2013, 10:18:39 AM

I am glad this question came up as I have a question, what is the min size tank that you run power heads on for water movement?

Title: Re: powerheads
Post by: linuxrulesusa on February 21, 2013, 10:22:37 AM

Quote from: RichE on February 21, 2013, 10:18:39 AM

I am glad this question came up as I have a question, what is the min size tank that you run power heads on for water movement?

Depends on the fish...discus for example would not like one as well, hillstream loaches would love it.   I probably would not see a need for one on a tank smaller than a 29 high/30 long.

Title: Re: powerheads
Post by: jcunningham0295 on February 21, 2013, 10:28:01 AM

I use these for water movement and they seem to work really well.

http://www.petsolutions.com/C/Submersible-Water-Pumps/I/Koralia-Evolution-Pumps.aspx

Title: Re: powerheads
Post by: four_by_ken on February 21, 2013, 11:55:01 AM

I've never used them... really necessary?

Title: Re: powerheads
Post by: linuxrulesusa on February 21, 2013, 12:00:16 PM

Quote from: four_by_ken on February 21, 2013, 11:55:01 AM

I've never used them... really necessary?

Everything I've seen and read, they're for current and water circulation more than anything else. 

So if you were only running one HOB filter for example on a long tank, you could use a powerhead to get the crud back to the other end where it would be sucked up instead of settling in the far corner.  If you had a canister, it would more or less make the powerhead unnecessary, depending on the size, style, and power of the canister - because it would make a pretty good current on its own and you could put the intake and outtake further apart than with a HOB.

Or, if you wanted to do a river setup with lots of current for fish that like cool flowing water, a powerhead would work great.  You can get a sponge to put on it for some basic filtration but I would generally have some other beefier filter alongside it.

Title: Re: powerheads
Post by: African cichlid Keeper on February 21, 2013, 01:36:31 PM

Quote from: jcunningham0295 on February 21, 2013, 10:28:01 AM

I use these for water movement and they seem to work really well.

http://www.petsolutions.com/C/Submersible-Water-Pumps/I/Koralia-Evolution-Pumps.aspx

Same here. ^

Title: Re: powerheads
Post by: Ron on February 21, 2013, 09:36:12 PM

Quote from: four_by_ken on February 21, 2013, 11:55:01 AM

I've never used them... really necessary?

For cichlids, if you have adequate surface disturbance, they are totally unnecessary IMO. I've never owned one either.

Title: Re: powerheads
Post by: NorthernAquatic on February 21, 2013, 09:41:22 PM

I use a powerhead in my cichlid tank every now and then, but I use it as a quick water polisher, with a micron filter attached to the bottom suction.  :D

Title: Re: powerheads
Post by: runawaypencil on February 24, 2013, 07:47:34 PM

I have never used one,  but I have seen them used to prevent dead spots in large tanks with lots of rocks

Title: Re: powerheads
Post by: Stan M. on February 24, 2013, 07:55:20 PM

The reason I ask is I use aquaclear for my undergravel filters. EBay had good price on marineland. So I bought a couple. Wondering if they are as good as ac

Title: Re: powerheads
Post by: theoryguru on February 25, 2013, 11:08:01 PM

I use ML 1200 Maxijets for my UDJ, reasonably priced and quiet.