Get creative with Powerheads...

[Mini Coop]

Ok! I am starting to get more into corals, and hearing more and more that they don't like the constant flow.
Tank is 120 g, lots of rock work. Currently I have SPS and LPS corals.
4 fish so far, new Flame Hawk in QT

Thinking I need pulse, etc. I don't know what is best for my tank. The heads I have are 1300gph. Right is pointed straight across positioned toward the front. Left is toward the middle/back, creating ripple on the surface.

Is there any creative way to use the heads I have and make them pulse or turn every other one on each minute? What is the best flow/variety for my tank? Can I do it with the heads I have? If so how? if not, what do you suggest?

I ask a lot of questions....

Thank you so much for your input!

 

[tgp4274]

I have the same heads.. been running n=bought 3 yrs now
only prob with them is every now and then when start them back up they start backwards.....
for on and off from time to time a DC head would be better

 

[Shaddow_wolf169]

With out running DC pumps clicking them on an off will burn them up quicker and like tgp4274 said they can and will run backwards

 

[tgp4274]

the vortech MP's are great but little pricey.......
I have two of the same as yours and two MP10 ramping up n down

 

[ksfulk]

I dont know if you need to have your powerheads pulsing. Corals can benefit from erratic wave action, but you arent bound to it. If its something you want however - then you would be best served getting a wave controller, like the Koralia Smart Wave Controller. That will switch your powerheads on and off at intervals to your liking. Sure, it can stunt the lifecycle of your powerheads, but if you bought cheap ones, you will likely still be out ahead in the end, until you eventually upgrade to a controllable pump

 

[Diesel]

Wavemakers are designed to give your aquarium the simulated effect of wave motion that your saltwater animals have when in their natural environment, but what other benefits do they provide?

Fish enjoy the change in water movement and currents. At one time we had read an article by John H. Tullock in Pet Products News where John discussed the feeding and diets of fish. He said that fish need exercise to help prevent fatty build up around the heart and liver for longer life. By having a wavemaker, this would provide some good current for the fish to be active and get some exercise.

The movement and current flow that you will get throughout your tank will help prevent dead pockets around your corals and live rock where unwanted detritus can accumulate. With the wave/current action it will dislodge the detritus and allow it to be stirred up and filtered through your mechanical filter to remove it. Don't think that this will completely remove all unwanted detritus. A good cleaning and regular maintenance routines are still important.

Corals thrive on the motion of the ocean. The current and water movements stimulate them and brings food TO them, keeping them active and healthy. Not only that, but when you're sitting and watching your aquarium, the movement of your corals softly swaying is beautiful and calming. If you have fish in your tank, it is fun to watch them interact with the currents too.

A wavemaker will stir up the sand in your aquarium releasing microscopic particles and organisms that your corals and inverts feed on.

Many powerheads will work in connection with wavemakers that feature controlling devices or timers for turning on and off the powerheads at different intervals, say every minute up to 40 minutes or so. To take a look at the different types of wavemakers available on the market and to learn more about them.

Now, what if you don't want to invest in a costly wavemaker and controlling device? One way you can provide wave motion in your aquarium, without the expense, is to take two powerheads and place them at opposing ends of your aquarium. Point the two water flows towards each other, so the currents meet in the middle of the tank. This will create a very good, not to mention interesting, current in your tank. You can periodically move the powerheads to various spots in your tank to provide water current to every area of your tank, which helps to eliminate dead spots.

 

[redfishbluefish]

My two cents, but first a little history. I started with Koralias back when they were single numbers...K3, K4, etc. I also said that anyone who spends that much money on a Vortech is a blithering idiot. When Koralia Evolution came out, I switched over to them....but they were POC! Four of them didn't last a year. This is when I started to feel my mental capacities start to slip.....I purchased a Vortech. A number of years past, and I now own four MP40's and two MP10's.....Yes, I'm a blithering idiot!

Now I've also purchased Tunze....very nice pumps, but also pricey. And I've also purchased Jebao......and this is what I'm going to recommend. These pumps are impressive, controllable, and reasonably priced. The pumps I'm going to recommend are PP15's. There is a seller on eBay selling a two pump package for 140. I purchased these pumps and believe they pump more than my MP40s. Two of these would work nicely with your current pumps.