The Puffer Forum

So just wondering opinions,

would a fahaka enjoy the current provided by a powerhead or not? Do any of you use powerheads in your fahaka tank?

My substrate just came in today so getting closer to moving my fahaka to his 180, just have to figure out decor. I have been thinking of installing a hydor in his new tank but everytime I look at those funny little "jazz hand" fins just flapping away I have second thoughts.

For a 180g, I'd add a powerhead to keep the water moving. What kind of filtration equipment would you have for the 180g?

They do come from a very large river. I have 4 filters on his tank, which offers excellent flow but most of the day, he hangs out inside of his "cave".

not totally sure on the exact filtration I will be running yet, will be 3 for sure, one canister and 2 hobs, either an eheim 2217 or a cascade 1000(1500 if I can get it to stop leaking) for canister (If I did not have these on hand already I would be considering an fx5) and probably an ac110 and a penguin 350 for hob's, or else a pair of the ac110's but I do like the way the biowheels work for bio. If I do go the powerhead route it will most likely be a hydor evo 1400.

Stagnation is bad. Good circulation throughout the tank is basic, but it need not and likely should not be uniform. There should be areas of stronger current (commonly but not necessarily along the front glass - for exercise) and areas of more gentle current for lurking, resting/napping, or sleeping.

That current can be provided by filters or by powerheads, or by a combination of both. Good filtration is obviously required - these are high bioload fish. if multiple filters with sufficient flow are used, powerheads may not be needed. If filters alone do not provide overall current throughout the tank, then powerheads can be useful.

There is no way to predict exactly how the current will be until the tank is set up. Only rarely do I end up with tanks set exactly as planned. It may need only minor position adjustments of the filters, or may need rethinking of the equipment used. The final operational set-up is pragmatic - you watch the tank and make adjustments until you are satisfied. Filter upkeep also affects current - as mechanical filters build up trapped debris, the flow rate declines, so more frequent mechanical filter upkeep tends to give more stable water flow throughout the tank. That means there are trade-offs between more frequent filter cleaning or less frequent cleaning with parallel reduction in overall current and dissolved waste accumulation.

HTH

there will be no stagnant areas in the tank, I was more wondering if the puffer will enjoy the powerhead like most of my other fish do... swim in the directional flow for excercise/enjoyment. I am talking about 1400gph of straight waterflow across the front of the tank purely for swimming purposes, which of course like it does in my 125's, will circulate all the way around the tank to a lesser extent. Right now he is just a tad over 7" and always on the move in his 75(except right after dinner), I am hoping he stays relatively active throughout his life but also know he will be however he will be and most sound ike they aren't very active most of the time.

I kind of find the "high bioload" thing funny, every species specific web site out there will tell you how this or that type of fish is a "huge bioload", I am not worried about not having enough filtration/biomedia, I have extras just laying around not in use.