I'm confused about powerheads

[MoonPye]

So I understand powerheads create a strong current, which many loaches enjoy thoroughly.

I've never used a powerhead and want to make sure I understand what exactly they do and how they work.

Is it necessary to have an undergravel filter to use a powerhead?

Do dojos like powerheads?

[clownloachfan]

No, it is not required to have a ugf to run a powerhead. I would say that dojos do not like current judgeing by the shape of their body. Reminds me of kuhlis, and they do not like current either. Plus they are also called the pond loach. Ponds have still water.

[MoonPye]

Ah, thank you.

I have HOB filters on my 55 gal right now, and only occasionally do I see a dojo go up into the current (but I do see the danios go surfing more often). They seem to like to be on the bottom more often. They are quite active in my tank, I wasn't expecting to see them so often during the day. I'm pleasantly surprised, and I'm assuming I must have a desirable amount of current for them to act so happy.

Thanks for the reply.

[LoachOrgy]

you can buy a separate filter attachment or even go to home depot in the pond section and buy a small filter attachment. they are pond intake filter attachments. looks like a big cylindrical sponge.

[Diana]

Powerheads usually have a narrow inlet and a narrow outlet. The narrow inlet is easily plugged. You can put a sponge over the inlet and the sponge filters the water so the debris does not plug up the powerhead.
When a powerhead is near the surface, but below the water you can run a bit of air tubing to the outlet and bubbles will enter the water flow. This is called the venturi effect.
On some really fancy powerheads (usually sold for marine tanks) the outlet will flip flop from side to side and create a variable water current, perhaps somewhat like the ocean waves coming and going.

When powerheads are used to create current, such as in Martin's "life in the Fast Lane" article the sponge filters are at the opposite end of the tank.

Powerheads can be used singly, also. No need to put them in a group. You might for example aim the powerhead at a spot where the water does not flow well and debris tends to accumulate. The extra water movement will help keep the debris moving until it is picked up by a filter.

If you are looking for a sponge to use over the inlet chose one that has been designed for such use. The strong suction caused by the powerhead can collapse a thin/soft/lightweight sponge.
I use Aquaclear Power Filter sponges over a piece of Undergravel Filter Uptube to create a DIY sponge. I use a 4" to 6" piece of tube that has been drilled with LOTS of holes. I cut an X through the filter and slip it over the drilled tube. My only problem is that it does not want to stay attached very well.

[Mark in Vancouver]

Well said, Diana. Saved me trying to explain the same! Thanks.

[MoonPye]

Wow Diana, you always seem to have a very thorough and comprehensive way of explaining things, thank you.

So when I finally do branch out and get another, larger tank and different loach species, I assume I will be looking into having powerheads.

My only problem now is patience.. in waiting for husband to finish rec room in the basement, where I will have plenty of room for a giant tank.

[MoonPye]

Thank you everyone for taking the time to respond. Your answers have been very helpful.

[Martin Thoene]

I was going to chip in earlier in this thread but everyone else was doing such a stirling job I decided to let it roll along without me.

It's given me a very good idea though. As we are such proponents of water movement here at LOL I think there's a need for an article covering this subject in a bit more depth and answering a lot of the Q's about pumps and such.

Let me put this out there.........I will come up with an article that covers powerhead type pumps. This will include conventional powerheads, include the Aquaclear"tuning" information that killforfood and I have found out by experimentation (can I use your photos please kff?), sweeping powerheads (ZooMed), Koralia type and Seio type pumps, Quickfilter attachments, etc, etc.

What I would then like is someone else to add (because my knowledge is limited) info on external mag-drive and direct drive pumps.

Please don't think that only moderators can submit information articles to LOL. We actively seek input from others because there's a wealth of knowledge out there. This is your site too, so helping to add to the info here is very valuable. By pooling that knowledge, the site just gets better and better as a resource for other loach keepers or potential loach-keepers. Having great articles available to link to can save a lot of repeating oneself answering repetetive questions on a given subject by multiple posters.

You think you're not great at writing an article? Don't worry. We have a great team here at LOL who can polish up basic information, correct any grammar or spelling errors..........and unlike school we don't grade

You'll get full credit for your input and any pictures you provide. Myself or one of the other mods can input all the text and photos onto LOL once we have it all collated.

Help us to help you and other loach-keepers.

Martin.

[MoonPye]

It's given me a very good idea though. As we are such proponents of water movement here at LOL I think there's a need for an article covering this subject in a bit more depth and answering a lot of the Q's about pumps and such.


Martin.

I look forward to reading this. Thanks Martin.

[Martin Thoene]

Ok, it took a little while fitted inbetween everything else that's been going on in my life the last month, but here as promised is an article.

Many thanks to crazy loaches and killforfood for their excellent and invaluable input and photographs. If there are other questions that need covering regarding powerhead useage in loach aquariums just ask and I will endeavour to add them into the article.

http://www.loaches.com/articles/water-m ... h-aquarium

Martin.

[Martin Thoene]

Ok, it took a little while fitted inbetween everything else that's been going on in my life the last month, but here as promised is an article.

Many thanks to crazy loaches and killforfood for their excellent and invaluable input and photographs. If there are other questions that need covering regarding powerhead useage in loach aquariums just ask and I will endeavour to add them into the article.

If anyone else has found any specific issues with other brands of pump in their loach tanks please let me know and if you can supply photos that would be brilliant. This could become a very useful information recource.

http://www.loaches.com/articles/water-m ... h-aquarium

Martin.

[MoonPye]

Martin, crazyloaches, and killforfood, WOW, great article with tons of info.

[Diana]

Lots of great info there!
Good pics, both drawings and photos, too.

[bslindgren]

Great stuff. I have Hydor Koralia's and I'm very happy with them. They are very flexible in terms of directing flow, the attachment mechanism is brilliant, and they are very quiet. I have the 1 and 2 models in a 33 and a 55 gal tank, respectively. I put the powerhead at one end about 1/3 to 1/2 way down the side, and then direct the jet towards the surface of the tank. This gives good flow throughout the tank with some strong current areas and some very gentle, allowing fish to seek out the area they like. I have kuhlis in both tanks, and they are not bothered from what I can tell.

The intake on the Koralia is a bit different from conventional powerheads, and I was a bit concerned about fish getting sucked in, but I have had no problem whatsoever. They often feed on the cage around the jet, and even small SAEs have no problems. Because the intake is very diffuse, they don't plug easily - I've had oak leaves stuck to the cage with no apparent effect on flow.

The price was also very reasonable. I paid about $35 CDN plus shipping for each of them.

In summary, I'm very happy with my purchase, and would not hesitate to get another one.

Note Koralia would not work for a river tank setup a la Martin, though, just as an independent, flow-generating powerhead. But for that they seem excellent to me.