how to know whether sps have enough flow ?
- Thread starter chercm
- Start date
Mangodude
The Clown Tang Keeper!
yeah this drove me crazy. finally everything looks happy. i'm running a 1300gph pump, 2 x 1600gph powerheads (chinese koralia type) 1 x 1300gph (chinse K) and 2 x 800gph.
I think the secret is to get broad flow. Maxijets are no good. Ive tried aiming lots of flow one specific coral but it never works. I don't have wavemakers but having flow come from all angels has helped a lot too, creates more randomness and variation.
I think the secret is to get broad flow. Maxijets are no good. Ive tried aiming lots of flow one specific coral but it never works. I don't have wavemakers but having flow come from all angels has helped a lot too, creates more randomness and variation.
Sosa29Reef
New member
I have two Korallia 750 plus a rio 2100 return pump, I would like to replace them with an Mp10. overkill in a 29g? Want to keep SPS, Zoas and two olympic swim team clowns...
divewsharks
Active member
I have a MP10 on my BC29, I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Arkayology
Active member
An mp10 in a 29 would not be overkill.
JSeymour
New member
Here's a link to many videos showing polyps folding, flipping, and swaying for your enjoyment.
Google Video Search- sps polyp extension
Google Video Search- sps polyp extension
REEF SMAC
New member
chercm
New member
is this overkill?
JSeymour
New member
No, not at all IMO. That's only about 60gph/gal and it's not continuous. One of my reefs is a 45 gallon and its flow varies from 50-105gph/gal every twenty seconds. That's only in-tank circulation, not including the return pump which gives another 10gph/gal. I'm actually considering adding more flow to this tank.
chercm
New member
The mp60 on ntm mode runnjng around 60% is just in tank circulation and i have a return ehiem 1260 to add in , is this enough
JSeymour
New member
I would say at 60% you're right at a bare minimum, ~36gph/gal. I'd turn it up all the way if your substrate can handle it. I don't own any Vortechs, so I'm not familiar with how the different settings pulse on and off, but I think lagoon or reef crest mode would be better.
dan-in-gr
New member
Hi, on my 120 (4x2x2), I have two Tunze 6105's on sequence 2, that is one pump on 100%, other on 30%, alternates every 7 seconds. Using wide flow nozel, and works good with no sand blowing around. Seriously considering taking the sand out and putting the regular nozels on for more force in flow.
REEF SMAC
New member
I'm running over twice that amount of flow right now. Works just fine.
Yours will be just fine. Especially for an SPS Tank.
Even if you run it at a slower speed. When your corals grow in and block your flow more and more you can turn it up.
DNA
New member
The purpose for flow is to move nutrients to corals and more importantly waste away from them.
Also it's supposed to keep detritus suspended so it can get to the filters and not sit in the tank and pollute it.
Broad flow is much better than what the small nozzle pumps can produce so coverage of the whole water volume is also a factor to consider.
It's also about placing the rocks and pumps in a clever way to maximize the flow and minimize the spots where detritus can settle and build up.
It rare to hear about tanks where the current rip the flesh off sps corals, but that's the upper flow limit.
It's quite easy to see what type of flow is the most desirable.
Laminar.
The flow is from one direction.
Surge.
Water moves back and forth.
Turbulent.
Random flow from many directions.
Also it's supposed to keep detritus suspended so it can get to the filters and not sit in the tank and pollute it.
Broad flow is much better than what the small nozzle pumps can produce so coverage of the whole water volume is also a factor to consider.
It's also about placing the rocks and pumps in a clever way to maximize the flow and minimize the spots where detritus can settle and build up.
It rare to hear about tanks where the current rip the flesh off sps corals, but that's the upper flow limit.
It's quite easy to see what type of flow is the most desirable.
Laminar.
The flow is from one direction.
Surge.
Water moves back and forth.
Turbulent.
Random flow from many directions.
If you go on Ecotech's website they have a calculator that will help you determine how much flow is ideal according to your tank dimensions and what you're growing. I have 2 mp40's on my 80 gallon cube and according to their website, I should only have them set for 30% power for an SPS tank. I started with 50% power and backed them off a little bit after reading that.
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