Flow Recommendations for SPS

[tegee]

Hello:

My tank has been up and running for about 4-months now and I would like to add more flow. Currently I have 2-Tunze's on either side of the tank and considering adding either 2-MP40's or 2- 3/4" Sea Swirls along the back wall.

I recently saw a PodCast that Sanjay put out on Sea Swirls and it peak my interest. I have no experience with them and need some input for the sps guys out there that have ran or have experience in particular with Sea Swirls. If it is two thumbs down on the SS then I will consider simply adding 2-MP40's on the back wall and call it a day. I just was wondering on Sea Swirls benefit with the different directional flow, etc in an SPS tank.

Please advise so I can make a good decision on additional flow with my tank. I greatly appreciate any and all input.

Many thanks......look forward to your replies.

 

[Allmost]

get 2 MP40s on either side, and run async, then use the tunzes on back wall

you will be amazed at the new modes of MP 40s.

Seaswirl, I was looking into it, but was told they get jammed or ... so didnt persuit it

 

[fishguy597]

I haven't had a problem with my seaswirls in fact I like them. But they only move the water at the top of the water , unless you get the extensions then you have two sticks moving back and forth. I have two 1" and they are only rated for 1150 gph. The mp 40's are goin to move more water. If you can swing it do the mp's.

 

[LifeAquatic]

Mp 40's all the way. One one each side of the tank. Not on back of tank.

 

[sedor]

If you don't have a controller for those tunzes that would be my first purchase. With SPS its simply amazing how much of a different random flow will make.

 

[jc-reef]

I run a 3/4" seaswirl in the center of my 90g along with 2 K3 power heads on each side that switch back and forth every 15 min. My tank is pretty new and minimally stocked so far but I really do like my seaswirl. There are no dead spots in the tank and it keeps the water aggitated very nicely with the flow pretty random. It seems to force water down the front glass toward the bottom as it occillates left to right. This also helps greatly with gas exchange too. I may add more K3's or upgrade to the Mp40's/Vortecs as the tank grows out to suppliment the increased flow demand.

 

[tegee]

If you don't have a controller for those tunzes that would be my first purchase. With SPS its simply amazing how much of a different random flow will make.

Thanks Ryan and others. Yes I do have a Tunze 7095 controller and plan on an Apex controller when funds permit. Right now I am leaning towards one sea swirl located in the back center, but still may add a couple of mp40's too.

IMHO random flow is critical to proper upkeep of an sps tank and I simply want to cover my bases going forward. I feel that two Tunze's just aer not cutting it right now.

Keep the input coming and much appreciated.

 

[jc-reef]

Thanks Ryan and others. Yes I do have a Tunze 7095 controller and plan on an Apex controller when funds permit. Right now I am leaning towards one sea swirl located in the back center, but still may add a couple of mp40's too.

IMHO random flow is critical to proper upkeep of an sps tank and I simply want to cover my bases going forward. I feel that two Tunze's just aer not cutting it right now.

Keep the input coming and much appreciated.

As you mentioned in your OP, I just watched a couple of the PodCast's that Sanjay gave on Seaswirls...I never realized that he has used them since the early 90's...WOW. Plus after looking at his personal tank, it seems that he uses both the Seaswirls and the power heads which seem to be the best of both worlds in creating randomness and sufficient flow.

He has some very nice sps colonies. :lol2:

 

[tegee]

That's my direction I think. I am going to try 1 or 2 SS and see how they perform. I think I can get a couple for a reasonable price and plumb in my system fairly easily.

If not I will add two MP40's or additional Tunze 6205's.