HagenKB

Venturi Air Injection

I have just bought an Aquaclear powerhead, and need to use the suction bracket as the rim clamp isn't suitable for my tank. The powerhead will be completely submerged and I'm just wondering where the air hose & venturi valve go as there is nowhere on the

I have just bought an Aquaclear powerhead, and need to use the suction bracket as the rim clamp isn't suitable for my tank. The powerhead will be completely submerged and I'm just wondering where the air hose & venturi valve go as there is nowhere on the
The Venturi system works by drawing air from the atmosphere into the output water flow through the included air tube and control valve. It is meant to work close to the surface since the amount of air drawn by the current is directly related to the depth of the air entrance into the water flow and the amount of water being driven through the output. If the unit is placed too deep, air will not flow.

In most cases the Power Head was originally used to replace an undergravel air stone, and this allowed air to be added to the system as well as directly pump water through the UG Filter. To allow this to occur, the most common installation was with the rim bracket. This ensured that the Power Head sat firmly on the UG stem and could not fall off. Since the bracket forces the right location for proper Venturi action, the bracket was designed with the holder to accommodate the Venturi air hose.

When a suction cup is used, it is normally because the Power Head is running much deeper, and the Venturi is simply unable to work at those levels. In those cases, the air hose is normally eliminated form the system and the water allowed to flow through the output with no air injection, or the hole is plugged, either with a knotted air hose or with a plug of silicon in the input receptacle.

If the unit is run high enough to allow the Venturi to operate using the suction cup bracket, then there should be plenty of air hose length for the air hose with attached Venturi valve to be placed in the air above the water surface. It can normally rest on the rim with no bracket or other clamp, often the canopy will keep it in place and away from splashing that will impede its efficiency.

Once the Power Head is submerged too deep for the Venturi to work anyway, it makes no difference if the hose is attached or not. The air will not be injected into the output stream. At that time the air hose can be eliminated from the system entirely

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