Flow for SPS/Zoa

[malx]

Hi, All.

About to stock my tank with SPS/Zoa. I have a minimal aquascape and two MP40 pumps on ONE side of my tank (it's Peninsula style) and the returns on the other. My tank is small. 55 gallons and 36" x 20" x 20." The pumps are in Reef Crest / Tidal mode both Sync and Anti-sync at different times throughout the day. I had them max out at 45% but it's creating some really nasty bare spots. I know SPS requires a lot of flow. Do you think I can get away with 25% max flow on these pumps? That would work well with my sand bed.

Let me know what everyone's thoughts are.
Joey

 

[malx]

Here's a pic

Can't move the pumps up due to overflow in the way.

 

[thegrun]

I would still try to move them up almost tight to the overflow box. With two MP-40s at 25% you would have 40 turn overs not counting your return pump, so your flow is fine. You would really be better off with MP-10's in your tank so you could get a wider fluctuation in flow, MP pumps will only turn down to 20% minimum, even if you were to program in say 10%, the pumps will still run at 20%.

 

[malx]

I would still try to move them up almost tight to the overflow box. With two MP-40s at 25% you would have 40 turn overs not counting your return pump, so your flow is fine. You would really be better off with MP-10's in your tank so you could get a wider fluctuation in flow, MP pumps will only turn down to 20% minimum, even if you were to program in say 10%, the pumps will still run at 20%.

Thanks for the tip. I;ve changed my mode to be 30% in Lagoon mode most of the time. I think my SPS will like that because Lagoon mode is less variable and more on the higher flow side opposed to Reef Crest. If I was able to run them 70-80% with out stirring up the sand bed I'd do RC mode.

I've moved them up as far as I can. Let's see how that makes out.

How did you measure turn overs? BTW my Return Pump is a Vectra M1 DC pump that runs at 30%. My tank is 55 gallons.

 

[thegrun]

I figured that your MP-40 at 25% would provide 1125 GPH (4500 x .25). That's a ballpark figure, but your MP-40s deliver 4500 GPH at 100%, the flow rates are not completely linear, but for our purposes linear equations get you close enough.

 

[malx]

I figured that your MP-40 at 25% would provide 1125 GPH (4500 x .25). That's a ballpark figure, but your MP-40s deliver 4500 GPH at 100%, the flow rates are not completely linear, but for our purposes linear equations get you close enough.

Hrm yeah that's a lot of flow. Lol. These things are powerful.


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[keiferd]

IMO Nutrients and lighting is more important for Zoa's. I am a Noob though. I have no Idea about SPS.

 

[malx]

IMO Nutrients and lighting is more important for Zoa's. I am a Noob though. I have no Idea about SPS.

SPS don't like high nutrients but all corals love to eat so I'll have to target fees them.


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[malx]

So here's what ended up to be my final pump setting. There are two MP40s total. They are on the same side so I have them synced except for one RC mode which isn't synced. It's indicated by the red arrow: http://screencast.com/t/1q8qo3jsXz8V

I am picking up some test Zoas and SPS this weekend. Let's see how they like that.

Cheers,
Joey

 

[thegrun]

That program looks pretty good, you might want to add one more hour long 50% peak midday to stir things up.

 

[malx]

That program looks pretty good, you might want to add one more hour long 50% peak midday to stir things up.

On what mode? 50% peak on RC / Lagoon will rape my sandbed.