How much flow?

[Michelle L]

I am setting up a reef tank, with the dimensions 72 x 24 x 30.

I will be using a Dolphin 3000 pump with three returns from a sump/fuge, utilizing several turns which I estimate will impact the flow of the Dolphin quite a bit.

I would like to add two 6100's and a Wavebox. Will this be too much flow for any commonly kept fish? For corals, I plan on keeping mainly SPS with a few LPS. I am wondering if I should scale it back to one 6100 and a Wavebox.

Thanks!!

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

i think with one or two 6100's you'd be good, but the sps would love the 2nd 6100....

 

[Michelle L]

I keep having mental images of fish smashed up against the side of the tank, unable to move. Kind of like one of those gravity rides at Six Flags!!

Is there such a thing as too much flow for most reef fish? I do want a Mandarin eventually and I'm not sure if they can handle that kind of flow.

I'd love to have that 2nd 6100.....

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

mandarins will stay on rock and sand, where there is usually less flow....and most fish will be just fine and free swimmers like tangs love it(remember the ocean has REALLY strong currents)

you can just get one 6100, but then you have to decide on whether to get the multi or single controller, and if you get the single and want to upgrade to a second 6100 you are out the $50 for the single controller......

 

[Michelle L]

Good point, because I was debating what I should add first and upgrade to later. Thanks, I guess you've made my mind up for me!! (Much to my husband's dismay, cost wise, I'm sure....)

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

you know....as i'm sitting here thinking, you might be fine with 1-6100 on opposite side from wavebox....tough call, i'd say that if the extra $500(2nd 6100 & multi-controller) is too much then don't think twice about just one of them
-imo

 

[rvitko]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7540179#post7540179 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by E-A-G-L-E-S
you know....as i'm sitting here thinking, you might be fine with 1-6100 on opposite side from wavebox....tough call, i'd say that if the extra $500(2nd 6100 & multi-controller) is too much then don't think twice about just one of them
-imo

That is how I would start.

 

[Michelle L]

I'm going to try my hardest to find a way to get it all at once. However, I do still have a good amount of live rock to buy, so they may have to come at separate times.