Power head in my sump? Yes or no?

alexnyc22 · Dec 7, 2014

I recently upgraded my power heads and I have one of my old ones laying around. I noticed a buildup of crap in the 3rd chamber of my sump and wondered if putting a power head in there would help or do harm.

reefndude · Dec 7, 2014

I say yes. Helps keep the detritus in the water column to be removed.
I have 2 in my sump. One in fuge area and one by return pump

ARVERLY · Dec 7, 2014

phillrodrigo · Dec 7, 2014

I never understood why people would put a powerhead in the sump. Imo the whole reason for a sump other than hiding equipment is for a place for derititus to settle out. I understand why you would want to keep it suspended so the skimmer would have more of a chance to skim it but you risk sending It back up to the Dt. If it gets to the dt it may settle in the dt. Just having the derititus settled out ready to be siphoned out is a win in my opinion. Could also just run a clean filter sock everyday and then there won't be much of anything settled.

NanaReefer · Dec 8, 2014

I have a small one in my fuge area. Keep the Chaeto rolling

reefndude · Dec 8, 2014

phillrodrigo said:
I never understood why people would put a powerhead in the sump. Imo the whole reason for a sump other than hiding equipment is for a place for derititus to settle out. I understand why you would want to keep it suspended so the skimmer would have more of a chance to skim it but you risk sending It back up to the Dt. If it gets to the dt it may settle in the dt. Just having the derititus settled out ready to be siphoned out is a win in my opinion. Could also just run a clean filter sock everyday and then there won't be much of anything settled.

The one in my fuge is to keep the chaeto tumbling and keep detritus from settling in it.
The one in return area is just to circulate water.
My thought on that is just more gas exchange going on.

mfinn · Dec 8, 2014

Since I put a small powerhead in my refugium, my chaeto growth has really exploded.
I have another chamber just before my return pumps that acts as a settling out chamber.
And that's the way I like it.

Each to his own.