Flow schedules and powerhead placement

[Punchanello]

Hi reefers,

I just picked up 2 x Tunze 6105 Streams and a multi-controller. I have a 5x2x2 ft DT. Tunze recommend the following placements -

Most of what I see online is the powerheads facing directly across the tank from the side glass. What are your preferences for pump placement?

Also, can you give me an idea of how you run your pumps? Constant wave motion or several hours in one direction and then the other? I have no idea about this.

Thank in advance

 

[ahuaia]

There are different reasons and benefits for different flow patterns what are you planning to keep in the tank

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[Punchanello]

There are different reasons and benefits for different flow patterns what are you planning to keep in the tank

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Mostly LPS and a few soft corals and "easy" sps.

I have a rough idea in terms of placement. I plan to have any SPS higher up in the rock work and LPS and softies tucked in to low areas and lower down on the rock work. My rough plan is to direct most of the water across the higher parts of the rock work and let the lps and and softies get the residual or secondary flow. Schedules are still a total mystery to me though.

 

[ahuaia]

I personally like to do the sever hour one way then another because it's not as hard on the pumps. So do like one hour with one on one hour with the other on then one on with both. And you could even adjust how strong the different pumps are on so have one at 100% and one at 50%.

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[Punchanello]

Ok thanks. I was imagining the effect the ocean tide has on water movement. You have roughly two high and low tides per 24hrs. That would equate to 4 changes in current direction in that time. The high tide movement of water is relative slow but as the tide goes out and the water level drops it is more intense in the shallower areas.

Hmmm, not sure if this is the way people think about flow or whether a more "macro" approach is needed.

 

[ahuaia]

Most coral live on reefs so the water tends to be fairly turbulent so quicker changes in flow would emulate natural conditions better however this would be harder on your pumps and I've seen plenty of Tanks that don't change as often and still have excellent Coral.

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