Power Head

[Boro]

What is the acual purpose of a powerhead? Is it to move water around the tank with the small hose on or move water around the tank creating a lot of bubbles with the small hose off?

Regards

 

[SkiFletch]

Ummm, no bubbles... The purpose is to move water around the tank a lot like the natural reef which is a very turbulent environment

 

[Boro]

What is the acual purpose of a powerhead? Is it to move water around the tank with the small hose on or move water around the tank creating a lot of bubbles with the small hose off?

Regards

So Do i still need to use one in a fish only tank? And how do i put oxgen in the tank?

Regards

 

[Crazy fishes]

[/quote]
So Do i still need to use one in a fish only tank? And how do i put oxgen in the tank?

Regards
[/quote]

You certainly need power heads to add some circulation but the number depends on the tank size, look for about 10x the tank volume per hour. Oxygen is added to the tank by simply dissolving into the water from the surrounding air. I think it is Henry's law that dictates how much dissolves (Henry's law states the amount that dissolves is directly proportional to the partial pressure of the gas). There is also a constant; solubility of the gas divided by the square root of the gases molecular weight, which in the case of oxygen is 32. However carbon dioxide diffuses from solution to the atmosphere which is very important as it has HUGE affect on pH. The rate at which it returns to the atmosphere is dependent on the surface area of the water hence lots of surface agitation by powerheads creates a larger surface area and more carbon dioxide leaves the tank.
The bottom line is if you have plenty of surface agitation which is produced by powerheads usually then the gases will equilibriate appropriately.
Hope this helps

Regards

 

[Musho3210]

In protein skimmers, powerheads (water pumps) are used to make bubbles, but other than that, powerheads are used to just move water.

 

[Boro]

In protein skimmers, powerheads (water pumps) are used to make bubbles, but other than that, powerheads are used to just move water.

Thanks for that , i know some questions i ask are a bit simple but i want to get it right.

Regards