Enough Flow?

[amcvay1979]

I have a newly setup 150 tall (48x24x30) and my return pump is a mag 9.5 and I also have a Jebao WP-40 set on else and frequency all the way up. Would this be enough flow for an sps dominated tank? I don't yet have anything living in it yet, just want to plan ahead in case I need more flow.

 

[k4ndyk1ng]

you want to be looking at 40-150x turnover in an sps dominated tank

 

[amcvay1979]

So in a 150 I'd want a minimum of 6000 gph? Looks like I'll need more pumps

 

[k4ndyk1ng]

for sps, yes

 

[Reefvet]

you want to be looking at 40-150x turnover in an sps dominated tank

That's the old school approach from before the days of good in-tank powerheads to move water. While you can still drive 40X through your sump it's not power efficient nor does it allow you to create a good wave action and alternating flow that corals will respond to.

10X you tank volume with the correctly sized skimmer should deliver enough water to the skimmer to allow it to do it's job.

In-tank movement of the water column to stimulate SPS corals can be achieved a number of different ways. Alternating the flow is a primary goal.

Your Jebao WP40 is a Chinese knock-off of the now discontinued Vortech MP40W. It's decent and can do the job. The key is finding a flow rate and mode that works for your tank.

A 150 tall is also old school, designed for nice tall amazon swords and a school of Discus. But that's not a criticism, just how that style tank came about. The reason I mention it is because you have a tall water column and that makes it a different challenge to create the water movement SPS will like.

I'd start with the W1 classic mode and try to dial in a wave action that has the water column rocking side to side with a height change of 1/4 to a 1/2 inch.

 

[twon8]

That's the old school approach from before the days of good in-tank powerheads to move water. While you can still drive 40X through your sump it's not power efficient nor does it allow you to create a good wave action and alternating flow that corals will respond to.

10X you tank volume with the correctly sized skimmer should deliver enough water to the skimmer to allow it to do it's job.

In-tank movement of the water column to stimulate SPS corals can be achieved a number of different ways. Alternating the flow is a primary goal.

Your Jebao WP40 is a Chinese knock-off of the now discontinued Vortech MP40W. It's decent and can do the job. The key is finding a flow rate and mode that works for your tank.

A 150 tall is also old school, designed for nice tall amazon swords and a school of Discus. But that's not a criticism, just how that style tank came about. The reason I mention it is because you have a tall water column and that makes it a different challenge to create the water movement SPS will like.

I'd start with the W1 classic mode and try to dial in a wave action that has the water column rocking side to side with a height change of 1/4 to a 1/2 inch.

You inferred sump turnover when he meant in tank turnover

 

[k4ndyk1ng]

You inferred sump turnover when he meant in tank turnover

yeah i was, the sump need as much as the dt.

 

[amcvay1979]

I guess I never thought of a 150 being old school. It was 70 bucks more than the 120, exact dimensions only taller. More water seemed better. I really like it.

 

[Reefvet]

I guess I never thought of a 150 being old school. It was 70 bucks more than the 120, exact dimensions only taller. More water seemed better. I really like it.

You have dramatically less surface area for the volume of water. Gas exchange happens in the top 1/2" of water and so it can be a limitation. Poor gas exchange will limit pH. Run a powerful skimmer and you'll be fine. The deeper tank is also harder to light.

Those are the only drawbacks in addition to creating good flow and you should be able to overcome all of those issues.

I wasn't suggesting it couldn't be a successful reef tank. It definitely can.

 

[amcvay1979]

no worries, I just didn't give it much thought when I bought it.

I bought a pretty big skimmer, 6 inch diameter with a controllable DC pump.

For lights I went with 2 Hydra 52's, plan to keep SPS middle to high just to be safe.

The jebao definitely makes a small wave, but I may go with 2 smaller newer model jebao's to get a better, flow.