Circulation Help

[azpharmd1]

I have a 72 gallon reef and I just traded out two MJ1200's (295 gph each) for two Koralia 2's (which may be up for sale soon so I can get a pair of 3's). The Koralia's (600 gph each) should be doubling my flow, but the fish seem to be considerably labored in their breathing, which greatly concerns me. Any ideas or input would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Adam

 

[mikeatjac]

I have a lot more flow then you have. I do not see how your current flow would make the fish labored in their breathing.

 

[azpharmd1]

Since they are used to a more direct, heavy flow from the MJs and now it a more subtle flow, would that have anything to do with it. I am now concerned they are not getting enough, even though they should be getting double what they had. It is very noticeable and started immediately after trading out powerheads.

 

[Fireworm]

how much of it is breaking the surface so it creates more O2

 

[LornaS]

well I had 2 Koralia 4's in my 75g and never had any problem with the fish, just make sure you have enough oxygen by making sure you are rippling the water surface.....I would also check your ammonia level as you may have disturbed something when you were changing out the powerheads......just a possibility.....doing a good water change couldn't hurt.

 

[azpharmd1]

All my levels have been steady for the past two years, but I was extremely alarmed when I did my ammonia level the first time yesterday and it was sky high! I did two successive tests and it was normal so it may have been a fluke. I did a 15% water change and they seem better today. Still not really sure what was going on. Thank you everyone for your input.

 

[SeasonedReefer]

Did you rinse you the koralia's thoughly before putting them in the Tank? If not that could be a big boo boo. There maybe something on the power heads that maybe a package handler had on there hands. You know like lotion or something like that. Also if one of the Koralia's is damaged in anyway they could be releasing stray current into the water. That will also cause fish to stress.

 

[azpharmd1]

Hey SeasonedReefer. I didn't rinse them prior to putting them in the tank, but thanks for brining up a good point. They seem to be back to normal today so hopefully the water change did the trick. Thanks again.

 

[SeasonedReefer]

You must remember to rinse your equipment NO Matter What! even more so with new equipment. Alot of people that handle the equipment and package it may have something on there hands. You have no idea? Washing your equipment is NEVER a bad idea. Not washing new equipment before installing into your reef tank puts your tank at risk foriegn contamanents like hand lotion one of the most common, can easily make it into your reef system this way. Not to mention the materials never being submerged in water and that fresh plastic smell has to come from somewhere right? Im assuming this is what happened in your situation.

 

[Fireworm]

That is interesting. I have never thought about it like that. Makes sense.