Powerhead settings

bigward · Post by **bigward** » 08 Apr 2004, 11:07

I am just looking for an overall opinion on this matter - how do you have your powerheads set ?

blowing bubbles or not blowing bubbles ?

pturley · Post by **pturley** » 08 Apr 2004, 17:29

Blowing bubbles (I've even modified one's that didn't have a venturii inlet to do so), set to as much flow as possible.

Post by **Barbie** » 08 Apr 2004, 19:04

This will make you more than a bit unpopular when you set up your zebra pleco spawning tank in your significant others computer room, with an extra large powerhead, hehe. The Marineland powerheads have a venturi control that I've found at least cuts down the noise a bit without reducing the aeration effect.

Barbie

Post by **Rusty** » 08 Apr 2004, 20:21

Power heads also wreak havoc on most computer monitors. Only the higher end monitor models have enough shielding to prevent the strong magnetic interference from having an effect on flicker. Something else to think about when you put that tank in your SO's computer room

Rusty

Post by **Barbie** » 08 Apr 2004, 21:18

Lucky for me his monitor is old anyway and clear across the room on another breaker circuit! LOL! Shhhh, don't you dare tell him, this way I have someone to watch them all the time since I haven't got room for the tank up here, hehe.

Barbie

fmueller · Post by **fmueller** » 14 Apr 2004, 02:33

I have a 29G with a Aquaclear 301 right here next to my computer. It's running full power with the venturi feature on, and together with an Eheim 2217 the tank comes to about the same noise level as my computer fan. No problems with the monitor either, but I have an LCD screen in case that matters.

I actually had a Regent Aquatech Powerhead from Walmart first, which I returned. It sounded like an aircraft turbine was running in the room. Also, the Aquaclear 301 from BigAls is smaller, more powerful, and cheaper to boot.

S. Allen · Post by **S. Allen** » 14 Apr 2004, 03:12

I keep my powerheads at the bottom of my tanks, which is normally about 24 inches deep, so venturi won't work, flow's not strong enough to pull the air that far, so I use an air pump for it, turn the thing into a blowing airstone basically

pturley · Post by **pturley** » 14 Apr 2004, 14:56

As far as noise goes, you can use a cheap airstone as an intake muffler. Quiets them down a good bit without sacrificing alot of airflow.

S. Allen, I've done that before too, but I found the powerheads got eaten up with sand too quickly when down low.

S. Allen · Post by **S. Allen** » 14 Apr 2004, 23:02

;) that tank's without substrate, so not a big deal.