Powerhead placement

[atnixon]

I would just like some thoughts off people about where to be placing the powerheads in my tank..They are both MaxiJet 1200's...

Have put on a picture ( crappy i know )...

Seem to be having a bit of a problem with algae build up on the sand and starting to look not nice..I dont seem to be able to get them right...

Hope you people can point me in the right direction

Niko

 

[mr_X]

lol. that's some nice live rock!
how old is the tank? what size tank?

 

[atnixon]

Hiya X...

Tank is 5 weeks young...Its only just been started..Its a 46Gal..

Now dont you take the micky out of my live rock....Its havin a little algae bloom ( green )....he he he he

Niko

 

[mr_X]

are you using RO water?
a tank this new is going to see algae blooms. mine is still getting hit with the occasional bloom, and it's 4 months old. i really don't think there is any "right" placement. it's really going to depend on what corals you eventually add, and where.
i am using treated tap water too, so i think that is a major contributor in my tank.
i think you just gotta keep up with the vaccuuming, and water changes until it calms down on it's own.

 

[mr_X]

my best guess would be to keep them as low as possible without all of your sand being blown away until you remove whatever that particular algae is feeding on.

 

[atnixon]

Cheers for the reply mate...This tank is only a stop gap measure really, as i have been given a nice 5 foot one now, just got to make a stand for it...See how good my rusty wood working skills are...The lighting is no where near good enough to support corals, so, it will stay a FOWLR for a while...

I do use RO water and water conditioner...

I have not exactly been vacuuming, but rather sifting really with a net to get rid of it...i think too much sand gets sucked out when using one of them vacuming things or a syphon pipe...

Niko

 

[mr_X]

yeah....i lose alot of sand this way.
i have 4 mj1200's and the mag7 return pump from my fuge, and am still getting some algae growth on the substrate.
all powerheads are about halfway down the glass and are facing somewhat downward towards the substrate.
is there a better way? hmm

 

[atnixon]

I shall be putting a fuge / sump on the other tank i now i have...

I started off having my powerheads pointing down towards substrate, but ended up having craters in the sand where the water movement was hitting it...I dont know, suppose i had better just keep messing around with..

Thanks for all you input x, much appreciated

Niko