To much water flow??????

[Johnny]

I think I may have to much water circulation. I have 2 maxi jet 1200 powerheads in my 39 gallon tank and it is moving my 6 inch sand bed all over the place. Does anyone have suggestions on how to restrict flow or position them so they can do less damage?

[Brad]

how long has your tank been set up
do u have any pics

[Johnny]

No pics, nothing to look at but some sand and base rock. I just set the tank up a week ago.

[Brad]

where do u currently have them possitioned

[Johnny]

They are currently in the back corners and both are aimed at the middle of the front glass. From there they move all (almost all) the sand from the front corners to the back portion of the tank. My tank is a funny shape for a reef tank, it is the same as a 29 gallon only it is 10 inches taller.

[Brad]

maybe you could keep one aiming to the front and center and the other one you could aim towards the other pump
But since your tank is so new it might take a while for things to settle down and fall in to place

[killroysrevenge]

Try aiming them towards the center of the tank to make a X shape with the flows. The flow from one should slow down and interupt the other. This recomended by alot of people to kinda change up the currents like the ocean and not one steady stream like a river.

[Pineapple House]

I couldn't tell you how to position them to have less current (your always going to have the same current), but you could go with smaller powerheads. 2, 700 Maxi Jets would likely be the best for your use. Could you return the one(s) you are using now?

PH =)

[fishfreek]

I like to postion my PH's so I get good water movment at the surface of the tank. Maybe if you positoin one going toward the middle top of the tank and position the other so it blows along the back of the tank.

[Johnny]

I cannot return the ones I already have ( Maxi Jet 1200s) but I can trade one to the LFS for a little credit and keep the other to mix salt with. It has become obvious I will have to downgrade the powerheads.Thanks for the help.

[Salt Creep]

NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! :)

Stick with the 1200's, you'll need the current once you start putting corals in. Well, I should probably ask first what kind of corals are you planning to keep? I have 2 1200's in my tank and they work great, but now that the corals are growing big the current isnt' what it used to be since the branches block some of the current.

Having them pointing at each other from the back corners of the tank is a good idea. I did that and the result is that water crashes together in front and sends a good current down the center of the tank towards the back. Thing is, I use a wavemaker so the currents keep changing (MaxiJets are the best pumps I've used on a wavemaker, they don't chatter or stall!).

You could try putting a low pile of live rocks over the part where the sand gets kicked up, just to act as a breakwater. If having a pile of rocks in the middle of the tank doesn't look good, adjust the aim of the powerheads so they cross off center and put the rocks there.

Ken

[Johnny]

Very good idea, it is great to here from someone that has experienced the same thing. I havent even considered using the rock to block current in the heavy areas. I do not know yet about the types of coral I only have moderate lighting (2-55watt PC fixtures and one NO fixture) so I will try some of the easier less light demanding corals first. I am glad there is hope for keeping the 1200s they move alot of water and are very quiet.