LiQuiD
Aquarium Advice Activist
Hey everyone. I wanted to get your thoughts on the best practices of water circulation in bigger longer tanks. I feel that I am not getting the best circulation in my tank, and that that may have lead to me getting a hair algae outbreak from insufficient C02 throughout my tank. I have 2 power heads, but using both seem to make some of my fish a little distressed. I was curious how you all have your filter in-takes, out-takes, and power heads located. I sit and watch my planted tank as we all do, but I notice water movement doesn't seem to be its best in my tank, and could use some advice.
My setup: 55 Gallon long (48" x 13" x 21") with 2 filters. One Aquaclear 110 HOB sponge filter, and a Fluval 406 canister. I am also using 1 565gph Hydor Koralia powerhead.
Equipment Locations: My Fluval intake is in the far left rear corner, with the outtake in the far rear right corner. My sponge filter sits on the right side of the tank, so this places the sponge filter intake closer to the center of the tank. The powerhead is on the upper right front side. MY c02 is just below that. The outtake of the Fluval and the powerhead are both positioned to blast the C02 throughout the tank. The outtake of the sponge spills just in front of the powerhead and fluval out take. I would like to think this helps in mixing up the C02 to the water column more?
Problem Areas: The algae out break seemed to be more dominant on the left side of my tank, and mainly took to my jungle Val. So I upgraded the powerhead from 425gph to the 565gph model. I also noticed that the floor area right below the Fluval out take seems to collect alot of junk, and seems like a dead area. Also, alot of the far left side floor collects crap too, and this is annoying as its right by the Fluval in take. Im not very impressed with the overall "suction" power of my Fluval. The sponge filters are spanking new, and I clean it like a champ regularly, so its not a blockage thing. The Aquaclears intake on the other hand is strong!
When I watch the water circulating, I noticed that there is a good amount of pull going TOWARD my out take of my Fluval. Its almost like its circulating in just the right side of the tank. This I dont get. I have 2 pieces of equipment pushing water away, yet it seems to come right back.
Im open to all suggestions, and curious how many powerheads you guys use and your equipment placement locations. MaybeIim being picky about the amount of crap I see on my aquarium floor, because I have light colored sand and can see it all clearly. I just want to make sure my circulation is top notch. THANKS IN ADVANCE!!
My setup: 55 Gallon long (48" x 13" x 21") with 2 filters. One Aquaclear 110 HOB sponge filter, and a Fluval 406 canister. I am also using 1 565gph Hydor Koralia powerhead.
Equipment Locations: My Fluval intake is in the far left rear corner, with the outtake in the far rear right corner. My sponge filter sits on the right side of the tank, so this places the sponge filter intake closer to the center of the tank. The powerhead is on the upper right front side. MY c02 is just below that. The outtake of the Fluval and the powerhead are both positioned to blast the C02 throughout the tank. The outtake of the sponge spills just in front of the powerhead and fluval out take. I would like to think this helps in mixing up the C02 to the water column more?
Problem Areas: The algae out break seemed to be more dominant on the left side of my tank, and mainly took to my jungle Val. So I upgraded the powerhead from 425gph to the 565gph model. I also noticed that the floor area right below the Fluval out take seems to collect alot of junk, and seems like a dead area. Also, alot of the far left side floor collects crap too, and this is annoying as its right by the Fluval in take. Im not very impressed with the overall "suction" power of my Fluval. The sponge filters are spanking new, and I clean it like a champ regularly, so its not a blockage thing. The Aquaclears intake on the other hand is strong!
When I watch the water circulating, I noticed that there is a good amount of pull going TOWARD my out take of my Fluval. Its almost like its circulating in just the right side of the tank. This I dont get. I have 2 pieces of equipment pushing water away, yet it seems to come right back.
Im open to all suggestions, and curious how many powerheads you guys use and your equipment placement locations. MaybeIim being picky about the amount of crap I see on my aquarium floor, because I have light colored sand and can see it all clearly. I just want to make sure my circulation is top notch. THANKS IN ADVANCE!!