Flow for New Build

[Patrick Cox]

I am setting up a 105G Primarily SPS Reef with some LPS mixed in. I am going to purchase two new MP40s for this tank and I currently have two of the older version. I can either sell the two I currently have or maybe sell one and install one on the back wall for some back to front flow. Would this be beneficial or not needed? Tank is 48x24x21 with minimalist aquascape.

Thanks!

 

[plyle02]

I am setting up a 105G Primarily SPS Reef with some LPS mixed in. I am going to purchase two new MP40s for this tank and I currently have two of the older version. I can either sell the two I currently have or maybe sell one and install one on the back wall for some back to front flow. Would this be beneficial or not needed? Tank is 48x24x21 with minimalist aquascape.

Thanks!

Patrick,
I would keep all of them if it were me. As your corals begin to get larger, the flow is inhibited, so ultimately you may need both of them. If your reef starts out with frags, then 2 should do the trick. Once they become colonies, you may want to add one or two more in to help get the base of the corals flow, otherwise you will stn in the center and base of corals. I have had to add powerheads to my tank recently, as the corals are getting much larger. I like the idea of using both on the back panel, one on either side, and then one on either end of the tank. The ones in the back you can dial down and ramp up over time. Also, another reason to keep is that you can always rotate them as they gunk up, that way you can do a vinegar soak periodically to remove any crud, this is the most important part of the hobby that gets overlooked, I recently soaked mine, and the flow increased by at least 40% on every tunze I cleaned, freaking amazing how jammed up they can get. I hope I covered your questions, have a great day!

 

[Patrick Cox]

Patrick,

I would keep all of them if it were me. As your corals begin to get larger, the flow is inhibited, so ultimately you may need both of them. If your reef starts out with frags, then 2 should do the trick. Once they become colonies, you may want to add one or two more in to help get the base of the corals flow, otherwise you will stn in the center and base of corals. I have had to add powerheads to my tank recently, as the corals are getting much larger. I like the idea of using both on the back panel, one on either side, and then one on either end of the tank. The ones in the back you can dial down and ramp up over time. Also, another reason to keep is that you can always rotate them as they gunk up, that way you can do a vinegar soak periodically to remove any crud, this is the most important part of the hobby that gets overlooked, I recently soaked mine, and the flow increased by at least 40% on every tunze I cleaned, freaking amazing how jammed up they can get. I hope I covered your questions, have a great day!

Very helpful. Thanks!

 

[reefmutt]

Agree with Perry.. Also, the more pumps you have the more you can get randomized flow patterns which I have found corals really like. I think it also contributes to more uniform and natural growth patterns..

 

[ros_sco]

I agree with keeping all 4 as well. In my 6 foot 210 as my acros have grown I have had to go from 1 MP60 on one end and 2mp40s in the back then added a MP60 on the other end, to now having 2 MP40s in the back and one each MP60 and a MP40 on each end.

Interestingly, even though the recent addition of the last 2 MP40s gave me flow in a couple of dead spots that acros just wouldnt survive in anymore, the change of flow pattern cause base recession of a couple of acros that were doing well previously. Acros definately grow according to and depend on the flow pattern.