|
|
FAQs about Other Manufacturer's Powerheads & Marine
Systems (TAAM/Rio, AquaTech, Eheim/AquaBalls, Marineland/Penguins,
ZooMed/PowerSweep, SeaSwirls, Koralias
Related Articles:
Powerhead Impressions by Steven Pro,
Inexpensive Wavemaker Impressions, by Steven Pro
Circulation, Aeration,
Water Flow, How Much is Enough,
Marine System Components, Refugiums,
Central Filtration, Flow-through
Live-holding Systems, Refugiums,
Business Set-Up, Related FAQs:
Powerheads 1, Powerheads 2,
Rationale, Selection,
Application, Modification,
Problems/Repair, By Manufacturer, Makes/Models:
Aquarium Systems (Maxi-Jets, Visi-Jets),
Hagen (AquaClear), Tunze,
Wavemakers, Marine Circulation 1,
Marine Circulation 2, Marine
Circulation 3, Marine Circulation 4,
Marine Circulation 5, Aeration, Pumps,
Plumbing, Make
Up Water Systems, Sumps, Refugiums, Gear
Selection for Circulation, Pump
Problems, Surge Devices, | 
You don't want so much water movement that all has to hunker down!
|
Re: Power Filters ATTN Minh, plus now fluorescent tubes, circ. for
cnidarians 1/14/09
Minh,
<Hello John.>
So now you are fairly familiar with my system and you had asked about my
fluorescent tubes. Well lets just suffice it to say that once before I
had a reef tank and decided to upgrade the lighting already. I purchased
a 260 watt PC fixture. It comes with the usual arrangement of 2 10K
Kelvin lamps and 2 Actinic lamps. Thinking of replacing the actinics
with 10K Kelvin lamps.
<Congratulations on the purchase.>
I know
this is not enough light for SPS or clams or many anemones but I would
like to keep some soft coral like the toadstool. Perhaps an LPS like a
frogspawn.
<Although some Acroporids may actually need higher
intensity illumination, Power Compacts may be sufficient for Montiporas
and LPS if creative aquascaping and coral placement is utilized.>
I
realize that keeping a shrimp with a frogspawn is dangerous so I would
not do it.
<Shrimps in the Lysmata family such as Scarlet Skunk
Cleaner Shrimp (L. amboinensis), Peppermint Shrimp (L. wurdemanni) and
Blood Red Fire Shrimp (L. debelius) are opportunistic scavengers and may
damage coral flesh when going after uneaten food in the coral's oral
disc. Likewise, hermit crabs in the Calcinus <sic> family or crabs in
the Mithrax <sic> family can also do similar damage. Coral Banded Shrimp
(Stenopus hispidus) and "Yellow" or "Dwarf" version (Stenopus
scutellatus) have less of a tendency to do so. Although all of these
species have been housed in many tanks with Euphyllia without issues,
keep in mind of the possibility of damage.>
Also to let you know I
purchased an Eheim 2026 and that should be here next week. So much for
FOWLR. Once you cross over into a reef tanks there is no going back I
guess!
<It is an excellent filter, I suspect you will be happy with
it.>
My only concern now is will 2 Koralia 1's provide enough
circulation for corals that may require I higher flow. I am sure they
are fine for most leathers, the mushroom, polyps, etc. I just have no
experience with Koralias.
< The Hydor Koralia is from the new
generation of low-cost propeller driven pumps that is quite different to
the powerheads and pumps you've used in the past. Instead of generating
a forceful jet of water flow, its large prop and shroud design allows
for a gentle wave pattern that is much more efficient at moving water
than a traditional impeller driven pump. The two Koralia 1's and the
flow from the Eheim 2026 should be sufficient for most of the corals you
intend to keep. Gorgonians are the exception as these requite more flow
but with creative aquascaping and placing the specimen closer to the
powerheads, you can work around the issue. For an excellent read on
efficient flow design in a reef tank, take a look at this article:
"Water Flow is More Important for Corals Than Light"
(http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2006/6/aafeature2).>
Thanks again
Minh. I have really enjoyed communicating with you.
John
<You're
welcome. Cheers, Minh Huynh.>
Hydor Koralia Question 4/24/08
Hi Bob,
<Scott V. here with
you.>
I have looked through your site many times and it has been
quite helpful.
<Great!>
I have a FOWLR 72 gallon bowfront tank
with an Eheim 2026 filter and was looking to replace my powerheads with
Koralias. I currently have a couple of smaller clown fish in the tank
and would like to get as much water flow as possible. Would 2 Koralia
4’s at 1200 gph each be too much for the clowns?
<The clowns can
handle the flow, this will put your tank turnover past 30 times and
hour, fairly high for a FOWLR. Not that this is necessarily a bad thing,
but dual Koralia 3’s will be a better fit for this in my opinion.>
The only other additions to livestock I may make would be smaller reef
safe wrasses. I know these types of questions are beaten to death on
your site, but would really appreciate a response.
<No problem, we
respond to all.>
Thanks so much, Dustin
<Welcome, enjoy the tank,
Scott V.>
Koralia
Power Heads…Are Mine Working Correctly? Do I Need More? – 02/29/08
Hi all.
<<Howdy Matthew>>
You have been a huge help to me as a
beginner already,
<<Great!>>
but I have one more question.
<<Okay>>
I have a 55 gallon tank with some mushrooms, polyps, and a
leather coral along with about 50lbs of live rock and two tank raised
clownfish. I have an AquaC Remora protein skimmer and two Hydor Koralia
1 (400ghp each) power heads.
<<All good gear>>
Even though the
Koralia's state that they are 400 gph each, it does not seem to be
moving that much water.
<<Mmm, the “stream” generated is more
diffuse/is wider than a comparable “traditional” powerhead so it doesn’t
“feel” as strong even though it is “moving” just as much water. You can
be confident these units are doing what you have employed them to do…and
with better results/less chance of damaging livestock than with a
traditional powerhead>>
I have a power filter that I can run as well
if I have to without any media in it.
<<Up to you…but if used, I
would suggest at least adding some chemical media to the filter for its
added benefit to the system>>
Also I have two Aquaclear 30 power
heads that I can hook up, but then I will have a lot of equipment that I
do not want in the tank.
<<I see>>
Is my circulation enough with
only the two Koralia #1's and the protein skimmer, or do you think I
should hook up the other powerheads and power filter.
<<Were this me,
I would likely add another Koralia pump…but…what are your tank
inhabitants telling you? The condition/health/reactions of your
livestock is your best measurement of the system and its needs>>
Thanks in advance.
Matthew Diethorn
<<Happy to assist. Eric
Russell>> Re: Juwel Compact Filter Powerhead Pump
11/26/07
A brilliant response Tim and it was the one I was
looking for but just didn't have the courage to commit to without some
advice.
<I am very happy to hear.>
The filter compartment has
actually come away from its silicone anchorage therefore a complete
withdrawal will be easily achieved.
<Oh good - that will be very
helpful.>
My next step, if I am correct in saying, is to create
suitable water movement. I have a couple of Fluval filters Fluval 2 &
Fluval 3 which I am thinking of using to create my water movement, would
either of them be acceptable ?
<If you use these, I would suggest
using them just for the actual pump i.e. remove any filter media and let
them run empty purely for the circulation. However, having said that, I
think in a Juwel 180 you are already somewhat pressed for space and the
introduction of large filters will unnecessarily further reduce that
space. I would suggest you instead acquire some actual powerheads such
as MaxiJets or, though more expensive, the brilliant new Tunze Nano
Stream pumps. These produce much more flow than the filters, take up
less space, and are much simpler to position in the tank, allowing you
to create ideal water flow with a large filter blocking your view.>
Thanks
Dorian Streams Vs. Vortec...?
5/4/06
Good Afternoon......
<Hi there! Scott F. here today!>
Your thoughts on the ECHO-TECH MARINE Vortec Propeller Pump , that
is now available . .....Better than TUNZE ????
<Well, not
better...or worse...just different. I have not used them personally, but
I do use Tunze Streams. I like the fact that the majority of the pump is
external, but currently, there is no way to swivel them like you can
Tunze. Although the Vortec doesn't currently have a controller
available, it will soon. I was very impressed by the prototypes that I
saw at MACNA last year, and I think that they will prove popular.
Tunzes, although larger, uglier and bulkier (and somewhat "maintenance
intensive") have been around for a while, and Tunze equipment is
legendary for its durability and reliability. The Vortec remains to be
seen, although I expect great things from this product.>
Would I
need one or two of these , rather than the 6060 Tunze for a 150 gallon
tank ? I thought I would run this by you people . Thanks for your time
....
Regards, Ted
<It really depends on what types of animals
you keep, and what kind of flow you desire. I would bet that you still
would want to use two of either one of these pumps for a typical
"SPS"-type tank of this size, although that's a generalization of sorts.
Do a little more research on the web and the various discussion boards,
and I'm sure that you'll hear good feedback form hobbyists using the new
pumps. Good luck! Regards, Scott F.> EcoTech Marine Vortec -
10/13/06
Hi Bob,
<<EricR today>>
I would like to know
your thoughts of the EcoTech Marine Vortec. I read a lot of reviews
about the product and want to know your opinion.
<<I first saw these
at MACNA just over a year ago. They look well made, and though I
haven't used them myself (I've seen nothing to cause me to switch from
the Tunze Streams I have now), everyone I know who has say good things
about them>>
Thank you
Ramy
Toronto, Canada
<<Regards,
EricR...Columbia, SC>> Rio Aqua Pumps... in need of customer
service
I am hoping you can help me. I set up my first marine
tank in April this year. On professional advice I purchased 2 Rio 400
power heads and one system 2000 controller with the thought of buying 2
more power heads at a later date, but after just 3weeks both power heads
started to make a terrible noise while still working. I have tried to
contact the suppliers which were Aquatics Unlimited but have received no
reply. I feel they have taken my money and now don't want to know. Could
you please give me any advice on this matter. I still have my original
receipt .I have offered to return them in replacement for new ones as I
feel they must be faulty but I get no replies to my emails Thank you
Mick Blake.
<Cheers, Mick... my advice would be to e-mail the
manufacturer and cc the vendor in your message. One last request for
service, so to speak. The Rio folks would/should be interested to hear
and help. Best regards, Anthony> He's Finished Having An (Aqua)
Ball- Time For A Stream!
Guys,
<Scott F, your guy tonight!>
I have a 72G with two Eheim Aquaballs (172gph), one Magnum H.O.T
(250gph), One Eheim 2227 wet/dry (127gph) and a Remora skimmer (295gph).
Assuming that they are all running at 75% capacity, that's 750 gph. I
just purchased a Seio pump rated at 620 gph to replace one of the
Aquaballs. I'm considering replacing the other with a Tunze 6020 Stream
pump rated at 1600gph. Is that too much flow?
<Well, it really
depends upon the kinds of animals that you intend to keep. Chaotic-water
flow-loving SPS corals need at the very least, 10 times tank capacity.
Frankly, 20 times is a better goal, IMO. If this is what you're shooting
for, bring on the Streams!>
Should I stick with two Seio pumps? The
Aquaballs don't have enough flow!!
<Well, the Seios are interesting
powerheads, IMO. I had a chance to test one when they first came out and
they seem to work as advertised. However, in my humble opinion, the
Tunze Stream is the best internal powerhead out there, in terms of raw
power, low electrical consumption, and controllability. They are rather
pricey, of course!>
Sorry for asking a question when I kinda know
the answer already.
Narayan
<Not a problem, Narayan. That's what
your fellow hobbyists at WWM are here for. Good luck! Regards, Scott F.>
Re: filtration on saltwater and plant tanks
Thanks for the quick
reply!<You're welcome> In regards to the Zoo Med Powersweeps- if they
stop rotating won't they still serve their purpose or will I be better
off replacing them with a couple more Maxi-Jets or something different?
<They will still pump water but in short time they won't rotate.>
Also wondering if it is possible to replace the media in the Eheim wet
dry filter as it is filled in the Eheim pro with the addition of the
pads and have it work like the pro ( according to the manual you can
only use Ehfisubstrat for the wet/dry to function). Probably a stupid
question- sorry <No stupid questions, just stupid answers. I don't know
that I quite follow you. You want to replace the Ehfisubstrat with
something else? The Eheim wet/dry will not function as a power filter
as such although any media (carbon, etc) will still be useful in that
regard, its just that you won't get constant water flow through it as I
understand the Eheim wet/dries pulsate up and back. James (Salty Dog)>
Thanks again, Karen Creating Chaos! (Oriented Sea Swirls For
Optimum Water Motion)
Dear Crew,
<Scott F. your Crew Member
tonight>
Thanks for your help in advance, I find your website
incredibly helpful.
<Thanks for the kind words! We're proud to
deliver WWM to you every day!>
I did check the FAQ's but could not
find my answer. I have 3-3/4" sea swirls on a 150 gallon tank. The
outlet fittings have the ability to point up or down apprx. 30 degrees.
Should they be placed up for the oxygen exchange or am I getting enough
of that when the water travels through the trapezoid and into the sump,
or downward for better circulation through out the reef. I would really
appreciate your opinion....Thanks Steve
<Good question, Steve. I am
a big fan of Sea Swirls myself, and really like them. My thinking is
that the oxygen exchange will take place in the water's journey into the
sump, as you surmise. I'd prefer to orient the outlets of the 'Swirls
down into the water column, to create random currents. Observe the
swirls for a while, to make sure that they don't kick up too much sand
in the process. As long as you are getting good air/water interchange at
the surface, the Sea Swirls will do the rest. Good luck! Regards, Scott
F.> Powerheads... Aqua Tech... ? 9/10/05
I have an AquaTech
3ph power head. How much water does this pump in what amount of time?
<Leslie, I believe Aquatech produces commercial products. I'd try their
website, I have no info about this powerhead whatsoever. James (Salty
Dog)> <<I would test the flow rate yourself... with a "pickle bucket",
container of known size, a watch with a second hand... RMF>> Re:
Powerheads... Aqua Tech... ? 9/11/05
I purchased it at
Wal-mart and done test myself and it pumps about 145gph.
thank you.
<Ah, thank you for sharing this input. Cheers, Bob Fenner> 9-10
Foot Power Cord for Small Pump 11/17/05
I have a saltwater
aquarium (cylinder shape) that is in the center of our spiral staircase
and measures 8 feet tall and 4 feet in diameter.
<Wowzah!>
I
would like to purchase a small pump (maybe Rio?) to submerge in the
tank, mounted near the bottom to circulate water slightly around the
bottom of the tank.
<Mmm, I would investigate a bit more, look for a
better-regarded manufacturer/line>
I have good circulation at the top
of the tank, but I feel there is stagnant water at the bottom and am
concerned about high nitrates at the bottom of the tank.
<Need to
circulate all... including top to bottom... you might "tilt" your
pump/discharges accordingly>
Unfortunately, I have not been able to
obtain a small pump with a power cord longer than 6 feet. Ideally, I
would prefer a pump with a 9-10 feet power cord, but I would settle for
one that has a 8 ft cord. Any suggestions or direction to a source of
supply would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Brett
<Mmm, I
would contact the manufacturers (by name) directly re... it isn't
hard/impractical to splice an extension and make this water proof... but
the companies actually making these units can/will make special orders
(I'd get double the number you want and save the other set for back-up).
Cheers, Bob Fenner>
|
|
