How Much Flow in Planted Tank - Add a Powerhead?

DGalt

DGalt

AC Members
Jun 1, 2008
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Connecticut
Right now in my 15 gallon planted I have an Aquaclear 50 (rated at 66gph) and I am using a Hagen Elite Mini underwater filter (rated at 58gph) for my CO2 diffuser.

I'm curious if I should add another powerhead or something to increase water flow in the tank or if I'm at a good amount. Can you just add the two numbers together? What should I be shooting for in terms of gph?

thanks :D
 
well really my 2 major concerns is keeping debris off the plants and making sure the fish are happy.

i'm reorganizing the tank, so I may have no issues. until now I've had the underwater filter and the HOB pointing in the same direction, so I think I did have some dead spots. I'm going to try putting them perpendicular to each other (HOB on the back wall and the Hagen on the side wall that is on the opposite end of the tank, basically so the output of the Hagen is pointing towards the intake of the HOB)

I know I don't want too much current because it bothers the betta. But plecos like current, from my understanding. Balancing act I suppose :shakehead:
 
The Hob will give enough flow by itself.With the 2 plecos keep an eye on the nitrates.25% water change weekly probably not enough.
 
I thought that 66gph seemed low....i got that off another site. so that's more than enough flow. ok cool.

as for nitrates....I do more than a 25% anyway (probably closer to 40%). I check on nitrate levels periodically, never break 15ppm. thanks for the heads up though. plecos definitely are messy little creatures
 
i just put a powerhead in my 55 gal planted tank my beta loves it, swims into the current then lets it blow him all the way back and does it again
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