Power Heads/How Many/Placement

[Rockman]

Ok.. 75 gal Reef... Mag 7 return .. How many power heads (and sizes) would be optimal? And is placement important (as long as there are no dead spots).

[brewercm]

Sounds like you are running close to the same system I have. I'm running a Mag 7 return along with 2 maxi-jet 1200. They are located on back corners each facing front center. I'm playing with the return to remove dead spots, and also have a Emporor 400 that gives me decent top water agitation along with the other pumps.
I am thinking about tossing the 2 1200s and going to a closed loop system with a mag9.5 or equivelant returning on each end of tank. Then using possibly one 1200 to take care of any dead spots if necessary.

Welcome to MAAST.

[alexwolf]

mag 9.5 on a closed loop in a 75?? Thats a lot of flow, yhats exactly what i am going to run on my 135!!! Off a SCWD

[reefer74]

Flow and powerhead placement is also dependent on what inhabitants you wish to keep within your system. I have seen a few 75's with at least four maxijet 1200's on a red sea wavemaker. I personally thought the flow was too light, especially for keeping sps. Now this person's lps were loving the flow, which at times could be slightly turbulent, and would extend very healthily. Again I believe it is dependent on what you want to keep.

Johnny G.

[matt]

My honest answer would be no powerheads; instead do a closed loop with a nice external pump. I personally don't like powerheads in my tank; they look lousy, they're constantly getting crudded up, falling off the suction, adding heat and stray current, etc....If you don't have them yet, consider the closed loop option. you can easily plumb it without drilling your tank; you just add a "priming" tube to your plumbing. There's a guy in Forth Worth (I think) named Mark Levenson who posted plans for this on his website.

Most important, WELCOME! to MAAST.

In my old 45 breeder, I had 4 mj1200s plus an iwaki 700gph return pump. That was ALOT of flow, but everywhere you looked in the tank there was a powerhead, lots of extra heat, too much linear current, constant maintainence. Now iin my 100 gal I have a closed loop with a 1200 gph iwaki and 2 sea swirls; it's much better.

[Rockman]

Thanks for all the info.. I am currently have an 802 and my return for flow.. Was thinking of getting rid of the 802 and going with 2 or 3 smaller powerheads to smooth out the flow in the tank.. Going to look into the closed loop as well.. The tank has been up and running for a little over 1 year with no probs... Thanks for all the info..

[matt]

Josh;

The S.S. are on the closed loop, because that's the majority of my flow. One in each back corner. The return is on a Y at the center of the back.