Whats the rule of thumb for powerhead flows? - Aquarium Advice

XXFirefighter · 09-28-2003, 01:14 AM

I have a 55 gallon. Going with the Skilter 400 and 2 powerheads. Most likely Rios unless someone tell me something better or quieter. What ones do I need ? Fish Only tank with live rock and live sand with MAYBE a shroom or 2 later down the road...

Thanks !
Rich

09-28-2003, 01:59 AM

Waterflow should be at least 10x the volume of water.. So in your case you would want 550gph..

[acronym:020f0e62dd="Hope this helps (or) Happy to help"]HTH[/acronym:020f0e62dd],
James

loganj · 09-28-2003, 04:43 AM

I would go with Maxi Jet powerheads. They are better than the Rios. I'd also look at getting a different skimmer if possible. The Skilters, although they will work, are not very efficient. How much [acronym:295652d3f4="Live rock"]LR[/acronym:295652d3f4] do you have? If it's over 1.5lbs per gallon, I'd look at an Aqua C Remora skimmer. More money I know, but worth it.

reefrunner69 · 09-28-2003, 06:38 AM

Quote:

I would go with Maxi Jet powerheads. They are better than the Rios.

Ditto

ReefRaff · 09-28-2003, 09:24 AM

Quote:

I would go with Maxi Jet powerheads. They are better than the Rios

Double Ditto

Quote:

I'd look at an Aqua C Remora skimmer. More money I know, but worth it.

I have one and it does a fine job!

fishfreek · 09-28-2003, 10:36 AM

For a little more the Prizm Pro skimmer will work much better than the Skilter. The Skilter falls in one of those 'multipurpose' categories. For the most part things that are within that category while they might do all of the things they say they do they really dont do any of them with any great efficency.

XXFirefighter · 09-28-2003, 11:36 AM

great ! Thanks for the input...
Looks like rio is out....

As for the Skilter, I was going to go with 55-60 pounds of [acronym:ac43ddb11b="Live rock"]LR[/acronym:ac43ddb11b] and 3 bags of live sand. So now I'm stuck on what to get since the skilter sucks...

loganj · 09-28-2003, 08:39 PM

If you are willing to keep the bio load very light until you can add more rock, you will probably be OK with 55-60lbs to start with. You won't need the filtration of the skilter...all you'll need is a good skimmer. A Prizm Pro would certainly take care of it although the Aqua C is my personal favorite. I believe you will be in much better shape by going with either of them and planning on adding another 25-30lbs of [acronym:8886bc8f59="Live rock"]LR[/acronym:8886bc8f59] later. Or you could put that amount of base rock under the [acronym:8886bc8f59="Live rock"]LR[/acronym:8886bc8f59] you were going to buy. If you get the Skilter, I think you'll find yourself in the position of needing to upgrade later. Even though it will cost you more initially, it's more economical in the long run to buy what you're going to need the first time...yep, learned that the hard way

.

09-28-2003, 01:14 AM	#1
XXFirefighter Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lompoc, Ca Posts: 1,169 Images: 16	Whats the rule of thumb for powerhead flows? I have a 55 gallon. Going with the Skilter 400 and 2 powerheads. Most likely Rios unless someone tell me something better or quieter. What ones do I need ? Fish Only tank with live rock and live sand with MAYBE a shroom or 2 later down the road... Thanks ! Rich

09-28-2003, 04:43 AM	#3
loganj Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Chatsworth, GA Posts: 4,008	I would go with Maxi Jet powerheads. They are better than the Rios. I'd also look at getting a different skimmer if possible. The Skilters, although they will work, are not very efficient. How much [acronym:295652d3f4="Live rock"]LR[/acronym:295652d3f4] do you have? If it's over 1.5lbs per gallon, I'd look at an Aqua C Remora skimmer. More money I know, but worth it. __________________ Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. Logan J www.captiveraisedcorals.com

09-28-2003, 10:36 AM	#6
fishfreek Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2002 Location: Virginia Posts: 13,971 Images: 82	For a little more the Prizm Pro skimmer will work much better than the Skilter. The Skilter falls in one of those 'multipurpose' categories. For the most part things that are within that category while they might do all of the things they say they do they really dont do any of them with any great efficency. __________________ Remember dont tap the glass, your fish will think you're an idiot -Anonymous mother Check out our articles area. 30+ Aquatic articles for your enjoyment Are you in or around the Shenandoah Valley area? If so click here to join our regional forum. Looking for affordable web hosting? Look no more We have the answer Learn more about Coral Reef Conservation. Free photo hosting

09-28-2003, 08:39 PM	#8
loganj Aquarium Advice Addict Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Chatsworth, GA Posts: 4,008	If you are willing to keep the bio load very light until you can add more rock, you will probably be OK with 55-60lbs to start with. You won't need the filtration of the skilter...all you'll need is a good skimmer. A Prizm Pro would certainly take care of it although the Aqua C is my personal favorite. I believe you will be in much better shape by going with either of them and planning on adding another 25-30lbs of [acronym:8886bc8f59="Live rock"]LR[/acronym:8886bc8f59] later. Or you could put that amount of base rock under the [acronym:8886bc8f59="Live rock"]LR[/acronym:8886bc8f59] you were going to buy. If you get the Skilter, I think you'll find yourself in the position of needing to upgrade later. Even though it will cost you more initially, it's more economical in the long run to buy what you're going to need the first time...yep, learned that the hard way . __________________ Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. Logan J www.captiveraisedcorals.com

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09-28-2003, 01:59 AM	#2
cj10488 Guest Posts: n/a	Waterflow should be at least 10x the volume of water.. So in your case you would want 550gph.. [acronym:020f0e62dd="Hope this helps (or) Happy to help"]HTH[/acronym:020f0e62dd], James

09-28-2003, 11:36 AM	#7
XXFirefighter Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lompoc, Ca Posts: 1,169 Images: 16	great ! Thanks for the input... Looks like rio is out.... As for the Skilter, I was going to go with 55-60 pounds of [acronym:ac43ddb11b="Live rock"]LR[/acronym:ac43ddb11b] and 3 bags of live sand. So now I'm stuck on what to get since the skilter sucks...

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