flow for BTA

[Junk2]

I've had a 120g 4x2x2 for about 7 years now. Used to be a mixed reef but for a few years after Sandy it became fish only.

I've recently started rebuilding. Adding a few fish here and there. I recently added an RBTA which seems to be quite happy. Here's the question though. How much flow should I be targeting? I have an Eheim 1262 as a return pump. That's about 900 gph. I was going to put my vortech 40s back in, but the LFS that sold me the RBTA said that anenomes prefer low flow. Is that right? I mainly want 2 anenomies, one GBTA and my current RBTA, some torch, some gps and softies. No SPS. Maybe some shrooms and a brain (maybe). Is 900gph sufficient? I'm not running a skimmer and instead do 10% water change a week and 20% every two weeks. Lights are 3 marsaqua 165w LEDs and fish are 2 tang, 3 small anthias, 2 clarki (soon to go since the female is too aggressive), a tiger tail goby and a foxface.

Thanks

 

[Dkuhlmann]

BTA's like moderate flow.

Clarki's are very snotty as are maroon clownfish. If you want something peaceful get Ocellaris or Perculas.

 

[Junk2]

Thanks. Yeah, I'm thinking of finding a home for the clarkis and going with perculas. How many GPH would you consider "moderate" flow? Go ahead and put my vortech 40 back in or go with a gyre?

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Can't tell you what gph but I can tell you that you will have some areas of flow in your tank that are strong/moderate/weak. You are looking for a gentle swaying for the most part. You should have at least 2-4 powerheads in your 120 to try and keep flow to all parts of your tank. This means flow around all rocks etc. You can watch your flow areas when you feed pellets or mysis and see where they go and how quickly/slowly they move around the tank. This will give you a good idea. Obviously the larger the tank the higher output powerheads you need.

The nem will find it's happy place no mater what you do. But strong flow directed at it will often make it move, so you can nudge it where you would like it to be. Rarely does this work

 

[Junk2]

Got it. Thanks for the help.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

:thumbsup: