Powerhead placement

jjwilley718 · May 7, 2021

I have 2 mp40s for the 150 tall tank. Trying to decide if I should put them offsetting or pointed at one another. I was thinking that the offset will get behind my aquascape unless putting the pointing each will do that too.

Glenner’sreef · May 7, 2021

Looking to get another MP40 as well. Then decide what direction. The good thing about these pumps is that you can adjust the flow rate. I have a 180 gal. 72” long. So mp40 #1 is on full just to reach the other end. Good luck. I’ll be following this post. Good luck.

jjwilley718 · May 8, 2021

So, for the time being should I have them facing each other?

ying yang · May 8, 2021

I would try few different places and try track the flow.with bit of food or a airstone or just the tube even to get bubbles and place bubbles different places see where flow is.
I personally woupd be wanting.
Some surface agitation for gas exchange.
No sand moving ( if not bb) .
As much flow in and around my aquascape as possible so no dead spots ( cyano bacteria love low flow areas and phosphate etc etc.and want keep that detritus moving around so goes down your overflow to your sump and not settle in or behind rocks in the low flow area.if use flake food to see the flow ( can use net to catch it and discard after the test)
Pointing them towards each other will create turbulant water and make flow go all over so good idea.aslong as flow going in and around aquascapes.looks like you in first week if setging tank up so you still got time to play around with the intensity/ power/ flow / direction of power heads plus i guess on 150g you got 2 returns so use them to determine where your 2 power heads go.
Lots good youtube videos on flow from brs and many others ( maybe worth a watch)

Glenner’sreef · May 8, 2021

I’ve heard that a chaotic flow pattern is best for growing sps. I believe that it was BRS Investigates that came up with that. Not sure if chaotic was the word they used but that was the idea. So yes point them directly at each other. It can’t hurt. Lol

ying yang · May 9, 2021

I couldnt remember the word either,when the 2 flow hit each other so just called it turbulant ha ha ^_^ was thinking random flow but seemed to be to correct lol