frogster221

does it just move the water like a pump or does it move the water and work like a bubbler?

sirdarksol

Powerhead has multiple purposes.
Most simply, it draws water in one end and forces it out the other, creating a current in the tank. Some can make waves, some can draw air in to act as aeration. They can be used to operate UGFs, and I'm sure there are other purposes for them.

frogster221

whats a ugf

sirdarksol

Under Gravel Filter.
They're a type of filter that has fallen out of favor with most fishkeepers. The base is a plastic tray that sits under the gravel. A tube rises out of the tray to either an airstone (bad) or a powerhead (not all that bad). This creates suction under the tray, which draws water down through the gravel. This provides a small amount of mechanical filtration and a large amount of biological filtration. Unfortunately, the space under the tray can get clogged with gunk, making an anaerobic area that can build toxins that may kill the fish if it is subsequently disturbed.

mrsmuffin

Not to hijack the thread, but I have always wondered why it is considered bad to run an UGF with an airstone?

sirdarksol

There isn't all that much power behind the lift caused by the airstone, which makes it much more likely that the space under the plate will get gunked up, causing problems.

frogster221

so do zebra danio, neon tatras, and ghost shrimp like or dislike movement of water

sirdarksol

I would guess that both neon tetra and the ghost shrimp would do well with at least a mild current, since both can be found in the Amazon Basin. Not sure about the danios, but I know that they are pretty adaptive little guys.

frogster221

what about cory cats

sirdarksol

Also river fish, should be able to handle a moderate current at least.
If you install a powerhead, be sure to get one that is adjustable (most are) and watch the fish for signs of stress. If they get stressed, turn the flow down.

frogster221

is there any way to hide the powerhead behind the tank or something. and where should i place the powerhead in the tank to make it seem like a real river not just a little stream from a pump

sirdarksol

The real river thing would require a bit of a more complex setup where the uptake is at one end of the tank (likely with pipes heading under the substrate) and the powerhead at the other, causing a more or less singular water flow.
You can make a rock shelf or use a piece of driftwood to hide the powerhead at the back of the tank.

frogster221

what would be the cheapest powerhead that i could get for a 55 gallon long if i could make the river idea work?

sirdarksol

This one I'm going to have to leave to someone who has a better idea of gallons per hour you'll be looking at.

Coryd55

Depends on how much flow you want in the tank as to GPH.

For a moderate flow I would say around 200-250 GPH. If you used two powerheads that would be 100-125 each. If you look below you will understand why I said two powerheads.

For the river idea you want a setup almost exactly like this one:http://www.loaches.com/articles/a-river-runs-through-it

sirdarksol

Yeah, at least two would be good. That's pretty much the setup I was thinking of, too. I just didn't know where to get a picture.

frogster221

what would be the gph for a slow current?

sirdarksol

By Cory's statements, likely 100-200 gph, so 50-100 gph apiece.