Flow????

[wnecbubba74]

I have a 90g so i was wondering how much "flow" should i have? And can you have to much? And do you run the pumps all day or just for a couple of hours?

 

[drummereef]

What corals do you want to keep? I have 30x turnover in my 40g mixed reef. Look into a prop-style powerhead such as a Tunze Stream or Koralia. You can get a lot more flow, but in a gentle 'coral friendly' pattern. A general rule if you are unsure is at least 25x turnover minimum. If you plan on keeping SPS, then aim for 35x on the low end.

 

[sir_dudeguy]

I got basically the exact same setup as drummer other than my lights...same tank and everything, same amount of flow...I've got pretty much any softy and a few lps and a couple sps.

Pretty much i recommend everything drummer said haha. Personally i'd stay away from pumps like maxijets or whatever...the flow from them is too concentrated and violent and can be not so great for some corals and its harder to get good overall flow w/them. Much better with stuff like koralias, which are really wide and easy flowing but push out the gph's.

And run the pumps all day. I mean...does the ocean stop flowing ever? You could put them on timers/wavemakers to make them turn on and off throughout the day to simulate waves, but i have had perfect luck without that.

 

[wnecbubba74]

So when your saying I should have about 2250gph on the low end? That would include the return from the sump? The reason i ask is because i have 2000ish gph and it appears that my fish are swimming for there life and the corals are almost blown over. Do you have all the flow goin the same way or in different directions?

Thanks again,

 

[sir_dudeguy]

random directions is better. And yes, that includes the return from the sump. Anything going into the tank (except for skimmers, even if its HOB)

what type of powerheads do you have?