Powwerheads and timer strip question

Graphicsplus · Feb 21, 2016

Hey all

I was thinking of adding another power head or 2 for water circulation etc. I had been looking at some power strips with timers but the guy at my LFS told me that they are to rough on powerheads. Meaning they do a "hard start" and I would be replacing powerheads weekly if I used it. He did mention something about a wavemaker type that did "soft start" and they would work.

Is this the case? I want to trust my local store as it is the only one for 150 miles. Basically I want to alternate water flow throughout the day and give a more natural flow.

Thanks

Graphicsplus · Feb 22, 2016

reefwiser · Feb 22, 2016

What type of power heads are you using on your tank. I use Ecotech vortech and using their reeflink I change the amount of flow and type of flow on the tank and various times during the day. The timer on the power strip is just for turning on lighting off/on not really made to vary much and not made to power a pump.

acesfull44 · Feb 22, 2016

I have Jebao pumps, and use this to connect them to my apex
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/121549948203?ul_noapp=true&chn=ps&lpid=82
Have them run at 35% for a part of the day, ramp upto 50% for a part of the day, then back down to 35% for rest of day with an advanced program. You need a controller to do this, and my recommendation is to get one for this very issue, among MANY others. It is totally worth the investment.

Graphicsplus · Feb 26, 2016

Thanks for the reply. Yea, just running cheap marineland pumps. I'm not ready to spend $500 on a wav apex set-up. Im just getting back into the hobby after 20 years being out of it. Geez things have changed lol. So far 6-7 months in and I've had my losses as well as some success. I keep reading and trying to learn but the info is overwhelming to say the least. This is my first attempt with a reef tank. It is so dang addictive and looking at photos of beautiful established tanks.
I just lost another soft coral from what I think was an algae suffocation. It was covered with algae overnight and no hope at recovery.

Ill keep at it and ask alot more questions.

GP