what strength powerhead

[pete_ra]

hi i have a 46 gal tank, looking for corals, maybe bubble, or frogspawn. I have a rio 600 powerhead with my backpak 2 skimmer. Should i get a stronger powerhead, what size?

[matrixnyc]

does the powerhead you have now create enough water movement?

If it does, than there is no reason to get a bigger one.

If you see that you could need some more movement than I would get a bigger one. As for which one, that depends on you :)

[RazerCorals]

Well the 600 is on yr skimmer right? So it's really only making a downward motion not side to side? In that case I'd add 2x150+ going from left back to right back, and right back to left back.

[pete_ra]

no, my rio 600 doesnt create any current at all. Im not an expert about powerheads, but im pretty sure its recomended to filter the whole tank 6 times in an hour with a powerhead. Mine only does 4times/hr. How do i have two powerheads? My skimmer justs has one pipe to hook up one powerhead.

[BigFish]

pete_ra
Watchman is talking about powerheads you just hook to the glass for water movement not on your skimmer.

....... I personally dont care much for skimmers, but as long as it works (it is picking up some stuff) then you are probably ok with the 600. I dont think the 6x per hour thing counts for skimmers( I could be wrong) It is up to you how much flow you have. But Watchman is right you (if you dont already have one or two) should add some power heads for movement. Alot of corals need water movement.

The reason I dislike skimmers is they remove trace elements so I only use my skimmers 2 days a week....... full days so 48 hours a week. I like the concept of skimmers though.

[BigFish]

btw pete_ra what kind of biological filtration do you have? ex: 40lbs of live rock

If you dont have any then you will need to use the skimmer alot more.

[pete_ra]

hey, i think i have atleast 60lbs live rock, no live sand though! How much are powerheads for water movement? I am most concerned with my brain coral, i just got him and want the right water movement, i have heard they dont like it and wont open up if there is a current

[RazerCorals]

Well they don't exACtly like a lot of current. Powerheards run from 20-50 dollars. Depending on what GPH rating you get.