Hi, med, or lo flow

[Safedad]

I am studying up on my first corals. I have a 55gal (48LX13dX18h). Some need different flows. Is this determined by gph, glow around a rock? I would appreciate some examples of peoples set ups and which flow is which. Or do you get a constant flow and hide things behind rocks to vary the flow? I have designed a sump and will be adding it some time in the future. Should I design my return to achieve variations? Do I need a closed loop? I would like to have all three levels so I can grow into any kind of coral, anemones, and clams
Thanks,
Bob

 

[Alaskan Reefer]

I have a pair of Tunze streams in the back corners of the tank, and my sump returns point straight down underneath them. I have mostly medium flow, but also some high and low in different spots. I'd suggest creating the flow and then placing corals in spots that work for their needs. A closed loop is an excellent idea for a narrow tank like a 55, as Tunze streams would take up too much space (in addition to probably being too strong for anything but a bare bottom SPS setup). You could also use a quartet of maxijets on a wavemaker. I wouldn't do too much flow through your sump / returns -- the skimmer will work best when water is flowing through the sump at about the same pace it pumps water into its reaction chamber.

Flow is determined by tank turnover, as in how many times does the water turn over in your display -- for example, I have about 3100 GPH coming from my Tunze streams and 800 GPH from my sump return pump. 3900/125 = 31X turnover.

 

[Safedad]

Thanks Alaskan. I have a 55, So if I hooked four maxis and included my return to get about 1700 gph, I would have medium flow around most of my tank. Higher closer to sources and lower farther away. I currently have two Aqua clear 30's and a Maxi -jet 1200 in the tank. I am using a mag 7 through my two TBPC carbon tubes and it is flowing about 200gph back to the tank. I will be building a larger light hood for my tank which will give me room to split my returns and reduce the resistance. Hope to get it up to the recommend 300 gph for this type filtering system. Has been working very well for several months. (no nitrates, phosphates). Steady Ca, Alk with Sea-lab blox. When I add the sump I would like to replumb things and want to have the pieces and parts on hand when I make the sump.

 

[Alaskan Reefer]

Right on -- and I like your stocking list just right for a 55. Most people overstuff them. Assuming you want the four Maxis in the back corners, I'd aim the two at the bottom toward each other across the back and the two at the top diagonally to meet in the center. Your returns might then enter from the center back and aim toward the front corners. Should chop up the surface nicely, and push as much detritus as possible toward the front. You'd also end up with the front two corners with light flow for some prized softies. You don't have a lot of LR (I don't either -- 60 pounds in a 125), so you can easily maintain good flow everywhere which really aids in filtration. I think most people underestimate the value of strong (30X+) flow in the tank -- it makes so many things easier.

 

[Safedad]

I especially like the idea of moving/blowing things to the front. Will make vacuuming move effective. I am in the process of slowly taking out about have of my aragonite base. I don't want to go to BB but have to agree it is holding waste.
thanks,
Bob
P.S. I added 7 lbs of Indonesia live rock a couple of weeks ago so need to update my subscript