Powerhead/Pump

[Darbex]

I need your two cents. In your guys' opinion what do you think is the best PH or Air pump for a 125G and what kind? I was thinking of getting the Eheim 1262 from Mike when he starts getting Eheims. Tell me if there is something better keep in mind that I want to have sand which I am know thinking the Eheim wont work well with sand.

Thanks,

Brian

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Powerhead/Pump

Why wouldn't the eheim work with sand?

My 125g has sand and there's an eheim 2228 on there which doesn't seem to know the difference :wink:

Personally I am a firm believer in wet/dry filtration for large tanks especially for cichlids. I like to have a capable wet/dry along with a canister or two. I also keep powerheads mounted in the tank for added circulation but sometimes it's not needed so they stay off for the most part.

As for powerheads I like Maxi-jets

[fishlady]

Re: Powerhead/Pump

well i'm not a guy....but i will say that eheims do work with sand ....just make sure your sand is settled before you start up the eheim.....we use paver sand in our tanks here....and no problems with our eheims yet....and these tanks have been up since may?? i'm pretty sure since then...but it's been awhile so eheims are good....but we also have powerheads in all the tanks too....from 250 to 350 sizes......and a couple of really small ones....but all in all they work great and no problems with the sand substrate....

fishlady...

p.s. just my girlie input.....

[Darbex]

Re: Powerhead/Pump

The reason I say that is from looking at the design I worry that the inlet would be close to the bottom and would suck up sand into it. I am new to using anything other than HOB so I need some advice. Walter gave me two canisters when i bought the 125 from him.

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Powerhead/Pump

You can always take the strainer off and cut the intake tube shorter if it really bothers you but I have my strainers the the bottom most place....stock setting basically.

With eheim's design the sand will settle at the bottom of the canister and would have to go through all your media before it will come near the impeller so there's not much to worry about.

[Darbex]

Re: Powerhead/Pump

Can you not put the power head into the water? I was thinking about putting it in the water and hidding it with rocks leaving the intake and outlet exposed?

[fishlady]

Re: Powerhead/Pump

of course you can....but try to keep it near the surface for good oxygenation and it prevents the film that occurs on the top of the water.....

fl

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Powerhead/Pump

Another problem with hiding it in rocks is having to clean the intake strainer or keeping fish out of it.

[Darbex]

Re: Powerhead/Pump

So you prefer the Maxi-Jet which one would be a good one for a 125G?

[CichlidFan]

Re: Powerhead/Pump

On my 125, I'm using an Oddsea XP250, 15.00 and works fine, nice and quiet, and comes with two sponge collection chamber.

CF

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Powerhead/Pump

In my tanks I use the powerheads for added circulation since I have two canisters and a wet/dry to handle filtration.

The MJ900's is probably the best option since it uses little wattage and puts out almost as much as the 1200 when it comes to gph.

[supadave]

Re: Powerhead/Pump

With eheim's design the sand will settle at the bottom of the canister and would have to go through all your media before it will come near the impeller so there's not much to worry about.

I agree with EK. This also applies to Rena XP3. I also would like to suggest the the use of "Pool Filter Sand", because it is quite heavy and useless your fish spit it directly into the strainer, you should not have any problems.

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Powerhead/Pump

Yep I have the Rena's as well and they work similar but the have more flow pass by the media then eheim's from my observance.

On my 125g my Tropheus spit sand all the time and I see it actually whirling in the strainer but if it gets siphoned in it stays at the bottom of the canister.

I agree with superdave.....PFS is probably the better way to go, cheaply.

[Darbex]

Re: Powerhead/Pump

MJ900 is a powerhead?

[CichlidFan]

Re: Powerhead/Pump

MAXI JET 900

http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro/aquarium_systems.html?gclid=CNHy0cqIvI4CFRUHWAodFjpNxA