Is it possible to have too much flow....

S

sjj80

Hater of Hair Algae
on a 90g sps tank? I'm preparing to add sps and noticed strong flow in my tank with only 1700 gph. I added a BTA the other day and later noticed one powerhead was unplugged. When plugged back in it didn't take but a minute for the nem to become unattached and start tumbling around the tank. Luckily it wasn't hurt, and was placed in an area with less flow. I was thinking of adding 2 mj 1200 mods before this happened but am wondering if I already have enough flow???

This is what I have right now:
Rio 3100 for dual return
2 Aquaclear 70 located at opposite ends of 48" tank pointed at eachother

I'm confused because 1700gph just doesn't seem like enough flow for 90g sps. I'm still a newbie and need some advice from the more experienced reefers out there. All input is appreciated :)
 
it would be enough to start out with frags, but as your sps grow you will benefit from increased flow with increased growth/health ime
 
Depends on what you want to keep in the tank. In a 40B with 95% SPS, I have a Tunze 6100 on full blast for 3000+ gph! The corals love it.
 
In my 90 with mostly sps (still a leftover leather and candycane, and of course zo's) I have 2 seio 1500's and a mjmod high flow at 2000+. I did have another of the mjmods but recently removed it to try some wave effects which is another story. But it's a matter of placement and aiming. I had placed a frag of superman on a tonga branch and had it in the wrong place and it was blowing tissue off but I moved it and it's doing great. Just like lighting you need to adjust and find the spots.
 
It's tough to have too much flow (stated in ___X tank volume turnover), depending on coral species kept. It's easy to have too much improper flow...laminar, direct, high velocity streams, etc.
 
So if I add the 2 mj1200 mods it should be ok? I think part of the prob with the aquaclear70s is that they are very laminar. Would adding stream style Powerheads make a difference?
 
you can have too much direct flow. for example, if you have a tunze directly blowing at a frag and if you have chunks of tissue flying off, then yea, you have too much flow. But if its a wide-streamed gentle flow, then I dont' think you can ever have too much flow. Like everyone said, once the corals grow and block flow from each other, you'll need to readjust or add more flow to the tank. I have a 55 gallon with almost 3700 gph of flow and the corals love it. The fish on the other hand......not so much.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9606399#post9606399 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
The AC70s are great pumps to stream mod... 2000gph each easily, just be sure to use Right-handed props.
Click to expand...

where can I find more info on AC70 mods!!!!!!!!!! I've wondered if I could mod these pumps and it would be awesome if I could just mod these instead of buying and modding mjs.:D
 
Ive got 9500gph turnover in my 90g sps.

Great chaotic flow everywhere. Doesnt matter where I place a frag, I know it's getting great flow :)
 
I read the extremely loooooooong thread on mj and ac mods and have decided to go ahead and mod my 2 ac70/802s. The projected flow rate will be between 2000-3000gph per mod!!! So I will be going from 1700 gph flow to 2900-3900 gph flow. That will be between 32-43x turnover and eliminate the extremely forceful laminar flow I have now. I think that the stream style flow at a high rate should work for sps (but not be so forceful that my poor BTA starts tumbling again, of course he will be placed appropriately). Would you agree or disagree and why?
 
I read the extremely loooooooong thread on mj and ac mods and have decided to go ahead and mod my 2 ac70/802s. The projected flow rate will be between 2000-3000gph per mod!!! So I will be going from 1700 gph flow to 2900-3900 gph flow. That will be between 32-43x turnover and eliminate the extremely forceful laminar flow I have now. I think that the stream style flow at a high rate should work for sps (but not be so forceful that my poor BTA starts tumbling again, of course he will be placed appropriately). Would you agree or disagree and why?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9606501#post9606501 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjj80
where can I find more info on AC70 mods!!!!!!!!!! I've wondered if I could mod these pumps and it would be awesome if I could just mod these instead of buying and modding mjs.:D
Click to expand...

There are some Aquaclear Stream mod threads out there. Its really very simple though. I started modding Aquaclears because unline Maxi-Jets, they have a fixed shaft, so all you need to do is attach a prop to the shaft (air hose and ridgid air-tube) and use a 2"-1.5" Reducer/Coupling PVC with holes/slots drilled in it and you are good to go. The pump starts 90% of the time in the RH orientation, so right-handed props are a must. I ended up trimming some OCtura 1250R props for this pump. Makes a ton of flow though.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9612717#post9612717 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
There are some Aquaclear Stream mod threads out there. Its really very simple though. I started modding Aquaclears because unline Maxi-Jets, they have a fixed shaft, so all you need to do is attach a prop to the shaft (air hose and ridgid air-tube) and use a 2"-1.5" Reducer/Coupling PVC with holes/slots drilled in it and you are good to go. The pump starts 90% of the time in the RH orientation, so right-handed props are a must. I ended up trimming some OCtura 1250R props for this pump. Makes a ton of flow though.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the extra info Hahn, I'd read about using a 1.5 x 1.5 wildcat-stinger prop found on www.towerhobbies.com , I'd read that these "always" started in the right direction with the use of a stopper of course. I'm assuming these are RH props, they're supposed to put out around 3000gph. Do you have any info on these props?
 
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