Should my tank be a toilet?

Discussion in 'New To The Hobby' started by Mr._Bond, Nov 13, 2004.

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  1. Mr._Bond

    Mr._Bond Feather Duster

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2004
    Messages:
    209
    Location:
    Denver, CO,Colorado
    My question is how I should set up my power heads for water circulation. I have a hang in skimmer, 2 power heads and the return from the wet dry, arranged as follows: (s = skimmer, p = powerhead, r = return
    Back of Tank
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    P R S P

    Currently the power heads are aimed toward the front center of the tank and the return the same. However, I've noticed a few "dead zones" where algae is growing and I also notice "floaties" periodically that just swirl around and never get to the skimmer. Was wondering is I should change it to be a swirling motion. Powerhead1 aimed at the skimmer, the return aimed at powerhead2 and powerhead 2 aimed toward the front center (like a toilet, hence the subject title). Any thoughts?
     
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  3. Craig Manoukian

    Craig Manoukian Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2002
    Messages:
    3,330
    Location:
    Marina del Rey, California
    My return from my sump/refugium shoots 300 gph along the back glass of my tank, left to right. I have two Aqua Clear filters that sit on the inside of the powerheads which, like yours are pointed in a diagonal to the front of the tank. Mty skimmer is in the sump/refugium. No dead spots and no eddies to accumulate floating matter. 20+ times circulation per hour.

    What is the gph of your P, P, R, & S?
     
  4. reiple

    reiple Fire Shrimp

    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2003
    Messages:
    324
    Location:
    Quezon City,
    If you make a surface skimmer (different from your protien skimmer) it will reduce the nasties. Actually the LFS here sells one but you can also make one by inverting a power head and cutting the grill of the suction plastic.