Powerheads?

[Blue Ram]

I have had a powerhead for about 2 years and i still dont really know the purpose of it. It was a gift for my birthday from my brother and he said it would be a good thing for my 10g. Does it oxygenate the water or something like that?

Thanks,

Blue Ram

[PUNISHER VETTE]

gets the water moving so you don't have any dead spots....

If you add a hose sucking air from the top or have the water creating surface disruption it'll help to oxygenate the water as well.

If your filter on your 10g is big enough you probably don't need the powerhead since it's such a small tank.

But in my 110g it's hard for a HOB filter to create much movement down below.

[cocoa_pleco]

powerheads power some skimmers (saltwater), power UGF's, provide flow in large tanks, and can oxygenate overstocked tanks

in most tanks theyre not needed, i use one in my 55g reef for the skimmer and one in my 90g for oxygen because im overstocked, thats it

[Blue Ram]

Now that i think about it more i think my brother said it was to create a little water flow for my gourami. He thought my movement made by the filter was not enough.

[cocoa_pleco]

what size tank? in a tank under 75g powerheads arent really a must unless its heavily stocked or with a UGF

[PUNISHER VETTE]

what size tank? in a tank under 75g powerheads arent really a must unless its heavily stocked or with a UGF

It might also be good to ask what size powerhead. I know they make some small models. Creating a flow might help mimic a natural river type ecosystem but i just can't see that in a 10g it would be necessary.

Maybe 30+ gallons could use one if it's the right size.

[Blue Ram]

The powerhead i have is a Maxi-Jet 400. LOL i looked at the box for it and i now realize I have been using it for 2 years and i have a piece that is not attached.