Power heads or returns for surface agitation?

[JayM]

Is there a preference?

Does it really matter?

I'm currently upgrading from 70ish gallons to 100 gallons and my thought is to use the returns. Mostly because I can position them in such a way that I won't need to worry about any significant amount of water draining back to the sump during a power outage and/or maintenance. It will also allow me to move the powerheads to different locations and get flow where I need it and not worry about potentially losing surface movement.

 

[HudsonReefer2.0]

I use both.

 

[Doctorgori]

You got sand or bare bottom?
If bare bottom I point my returns to blast the bottom 24/7
I use Red Sea Gyres for surface agitation
But you could make a argument either way

 

[FUNGI]

Use both.....

 

[PharmrJohn]

I'll be using powerheads.

 

[Justfebreezeit]

Doctorgori makes a good point. I use the returns mostly because they are pretty limited anyways. But with gyres doing the heavy lifting...

 

[00W]

I use both.

 

[Dburr1014]

Is there a preference?

Does it really matter?

I'm currently upgrading from 70ish gallons to 100 gallons and my thought is to use the returns. Mostly because I can position them in such a way that I won't need to worry about any significant amount of water draining back to the sump during a power outage and/or maintenance.

This last part shouldn't be a concern. Do you have anti-syphone holes drilled? You should.

It will also allow me to move the powerheads to different locations and get flow where I need it and not worry about potentially losing surface movement.

I use gyres across the surface and returns are near the top. Also, one power head pointed up.