is it really nessary: 40-100 X turnover?

[dmilne85]

i keep seeing people on reefcentral saying they have anywhere from 40-100 X turnover in there tank and im wondering if this really benifits the sps. i understand that its important to keep all the junk in the tank suspended so it can then be removed by protein skimmers, filters, ect...but really how much flow is enough to keep things suspended?

i have about 25 X turnover (in 75 gallon tank)and i dont know if i should look into adding more for my sps corals. i have a few lps that i dont think could tolerate any higher flow(torch, frogspawn, elegance) so if i did UP my flow i would probably have to trade or sell those corals.

the only reason why im looking into this flow issue is because my sps corals havent been the most colorfull and im trying to figure out what will help color them up. im running a asm G-3 skimmer and do bi-weekly water changes so i dont think water quality is an issue. and for lighting im using( 2) 250 watt hqi coralife 10k bulbs, with 2 96 watt attinics.

 

[Frankysreef]

the bigger they get the more flow they need... I have 40x turnover in my tank. Otherwise they'll rtn or stn..

Speaking from experience.

 

[drock59]

yes its necessary, IME.

 

[Bax]

I noticed a marked improvement in my 75g when I kicked it up to 40x + turn over. More PE, turn around in STN, less algea.

Each system will be different depending upon aquascape, & coral placement etc.

I am starting my 120 at 40x and winding it up slowly from there, I'll stop when the fish are pinned to the glass. The fish seem to love the flow.

HTH

 

[dmilne85]

so would it be worth selling a few(lps) corals so i could raise my flow up a bit... if feel as if im doing ok with flow right now since i have frags mostly but i can see this becoming an issue in the future.

 

[Bax]

You got a great skimmer for a 75, with good sump/fuge vol and lighting, you know your headed toward SPS, so go with the flow!

 

[J_Geisinger000]

I have 74x turnover in my 90
with a couple lps on the bottom
they will get used to the flow you might have to move them around a little

 

[dmilne85]

i should just get it over with and up my flow... i wont deny being addicted to sps, so selling a few corals to do so wont be a problem A :0)

 

[dots]

Its a gas exchange thing.......they need lots of water rushing through/past the polyps. As the coral field gets denser, the flow is restricted......

In addition I think placement helps prevent this....for instance I try to place things like stags higher up into the flow or closer the the PHs because they are not a "bushy" say a table that would completly block the flow.

 

[Kinetic]

cool ideas =) I'm thinking of going with 60x turnover in a 70G for some SPS.

IME you can keep *some* LPS and softies in that flow, especially zoanthids.

I have some zoos in 40x turnover and right below some DE metal halides that are growing like crazy with great coloration.

go for more flow!! you can never get enough

 

[twon8]

every time i increase flow growth increases; i can't quantify, but i know it is happening.

 

[jay24k]

I have 20X in my tank with zero issues however I want to get more, but just haven't done it. While I feel flow is extremely important, I feel if you can get the flow to where it is needed works fine. For me it is much easier to just upgrade and not sweat it as things grow. I have a seio 1100 and a 1500 and about 900 gph coming into the tank from the return.

3500 gallon per hour on a 180 gallon with 40 sump.

 

[PUGroyale]

Pretty hard to argue with that ^^^

 

[818]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8189992#post8189992 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PUGroyale
Pretty hard to argue with that ^^^

Haha. WOW! I think I need a new pair of boxers.

Those corals are amazing!:eek1: :eek2:

 

[Bax]

jay24k

Nice tank!

I think you're right about adding flow as you see your corals needing it. I also think in your case, your open aquascape allows you to get your results with somewhat less flow than others. About how much rock do you have in there?

Everyones' system is different, and clean water, managed by good husbandry, goes a long way beyond all other issues.

dmilne85

You may not need to give up some of you favorite LPS and zoos. I have a few zoos ( a few too many of some) a frog spawn, two types of favia and lots of trumpets scattered around my tank. You just have to play around with their placement. Even in the area of 40x flow there is probably somewhere for them in your tank. Although, my frogspawn, looks good and is branching, but it stays pretty tight these days

 

[dvanacker]

I have lots of zoa's, a hammer, and a bubble doing great with about 45x flow. I have most the the flow higher in the tank though and all the LPS go on the bottom. I did have a frogspawn but it had the hardest time adjusting to the high flow and light so i moved it out.

 

[dvanacker]

WOW....I just have to say jay your tank is sooo nice.

a 180 with a G3 and 3 x 250w ......and seios. That shows you that you don't have to sell you wife to be able to afford a nice large reef. Also its a testiment to your skills.

 

[LFS_worker]

All I run on a 75 is the return from the sump and a tunze wavebox. Much better than all the pumps and noise ... best part is when the wave starts every gallon in the tank moves.

Brian

 

[jay24k]

Thanks for the comments. I don't want people to think it isn't important and the open aquaspace probably does help. I think positing is very important. After seeing Melev's video, it makes me feel like my tank is in adequate on the flow side. However, 90% of those corals were 1 to 3 inch frags when I got them over the last 20 months. That's how old that tank is. My previous tank didn't have any sps at that time.

 

[nwrogers]

Wow Jay I love the look of those 10k bulbs! Very nice...