Help me place my power head!

[ZzyzxRiver]

50g, softie and LPS tank. I am debating between three locations for my jebao DMP-20 that arrives today.


The red would be on my back glass and blow straight forward toward the front in between the two arches. Pro: seems the least disruptive to the aesthetic. Con: not sure it’s actually optimal for flow.

The yellow would be on the side glass and blow across the open-water section. Pro: seems the actual best place to put it. Con: visible equipment on the glass messes with aesthetic.

The blue would also be on the side glass and blow through a 3” wide lane between the aquascape and the black glass. Pro: completely invisible from main viewing angle and will fix my dead zones. Cons: likely too narrow and will mess my future attempts to grow stuff on the back wall.

My return pump does 600g/h. The jebao will do 2400g/h at max. What guidelines do people use to determine how much flow their tank needs?

 

[Catawba_Valley_Reef]

Yellow for me. Proper flow is more important than aesthetics imo.

 

[backbayreef]

I would utilize 2 pumps, one on each long side of the tank for optimal flow. If you’re after aesthetics (I know, me too) then I would put two on the back glass.

I have 4 MP60s on the back glass, no wires, blend in with the black background. :)

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I agree 2 powerheads is better than one. I also agree that good flow in the tank is more important that aesthetics.

 

[ZzyzxRiver]

For budget and husband reasons, assume I’m only gonna have this one pump for a while

 

[backbayreef]

For budget and husband reasons, assume I’m only gonna have this one pump for a while

Happy spouse, happy house! lol

 

[Brian Ardolino]

If one pump I’m going to say back wall middle. If you put it on a pulse it should be enough to add flow throughout the tank. Try it in a few different places and go with whatever looks to provide the best flow.

 

[ZzyzxRiver]

OK, this pump is strong enough that even at 30% it more than doubles my flow rate. Against everyone’s advice (sorry!) I placed it in the back alley, and it immediately completely changed the flow through my entire tank, with water moving all the way around the Aquascape and even changing the way my GSP moves—and that’s the coral that’s farthest away from it!

I guess there’s never a correct answer to “how should I do…”. Really you have to just have to try things and see what works.

 

[p1u5h13r4m24]

Yellow and another one on the other side to get random flow in all directions rather than just one