Flow Rate For Tank

[Adelphie]

Hi Guys,

I'm starting up my planted tank again after a couple of years. Dug all my equiptment out of the garage and was doing a stock check and have found that my powerhead has died, I'm looking for advice on which flow rate I should go for ideally to replace it.

My current set-up is a 180 litre bowfront tank, which is densly populated with slower growing plants, anubius, java fern etc. Got a few valis, which are just there to add to biomass. Also DIYing CO2 with around 2WPG.

I'm not too well read up on flowrate, so I was hoping someone could explain what I should be aiming for (and even better an why!). I'm also looking at adding some HC in the near future, so not sure if that changes things with its small root system.

Cheers,
Tom

 

[GrayScale]

Increased flow will help the co2 distribute evenly around the tank. It will also eliminate dead spots which can cause algae. You should aim for about 10x turnover. Adding multiple smaller powerheads as opposed to one large one will allow for more control over flow. I'd take a look at a couple of koralia nanos maybe the 460gph. What filter do you have and what's the volume it can filter per hour?

 

[Adelphie]

Thanks for the quick response, much appreciated

I've got an ebay job filter that came with the tank, it claims 1000/h, but I doubt it gets that close. I'll be looking to upgrade when I can afford it.

I had a koralia 1 before, which died after about 6 months. Are they usually more reliable than this, or did I just get a dud?

I'll see what Ebay has to offer, and might grab a couple more Koralai 1's.

Cheers,
Tom

 

[GrayScale]

Did you buy it used? It may have just been a dud. I've got a koralia nano 240gph in my 20g long and it does the trick. It's especially nice because the newer models come with a magnetic suction mount so you get extra mounting and don't have to worry about the suction cup popping off since its held with a magnet inside and outside of the glass. 2 Koralia 1's should definately be plenty with the filter for flow.

 

[Adelphie]

I got my other one new with the magnetic cups. It was brilliant whilst it worked, and I've never heard a bad thing said about them so I'll get a couple more. Thanks for the advice