Is there such a thing as too much flow?

[Willie_6]

I currently have:

2-MJ 1200-295gph
1-Gen X 40-1190gph (yes, there is head loss to account for-it's my return pump from my sump.
1-Deltec MCE Skimmer-300lts an hour (sorry it's in litres, it's an import) I believe 79.25 gph

My current tank is a 75 gal. Tank with 25 gal. fuge/sump. I am looking into a modifcation (as seen on RC) that will increase the flow of my mj's. I am wondering if there is a point where enough is enough.

 

[WaterKeeper]

Current thinking is that as long as your rocks and sand stay it place there is no limit on flow rates. This is especially true in tanks not using a DSB where the flow helps move water into the rock pores for de-nitrification.

 

[kamil5000]

For FOWLR you don't need high flow. For SPS you need high flow (upto possibly 30x and over).

More importantly them the tank volume turnover is the type of flow and making sure there are no 'dead spots'. Laminar flows are the least beneficial type. Try and get some sort of wave action going.

I have 2x Tunze powerheads that produce a combined flow of over 6000 gph - on a 75 gallon tank. But these run intermitentedly and in a pulse form (stronger current, then weaker current) so the corals and fish seem to love them. But if this 6000 gph on a laminer flow would be too much flow.

 

[moses13]

Up to the point where your corals are not happy, more is almost always better.

 

[Willie_6]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6537346#post6537346 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kamil5000


I have 2x Tunze powerheads that produce a combined flow of over 6000 gph - on a 75 gallon tank. But these run intermitentedly and in a pulse form (stronger current, then weaker current) so the corals and fish seem to love them. But if this 6000 gph on a laminer flow would be too much flow.

What is running your Tunze's? Is there a inexpensive controller/timer that can be used?

 

[sttroyiii]

There is a thread about how to convert a $4 wally world timer into a sort-of wavemaker when combined with the MJ modded powerheads. I cant remember the name of the thread, but Im pretty sure it had $4 in the title. If you search enough for the MJ mods, Im sure you will find it, thats how I did.

 

[kamil5000]

I'm using the whole kit (TS12) it has a multicontrollers running them (amaizing stuff) but very expensive $800+ for the kit. You can see it here:

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=TZTS24.

You can use a power cord that can control the pumps. These are quite cheap:

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium..._center_day_night_wavemaker_timer.asp?CartId=

Or go for a wavemaker starting from around $100+

But make sure that all your pumps are wavemaker compatible as some (like Seio) cannot be used with wavemakers.

 

[Willie_6]

THe second one seems interesting. Can I acheive similar results with a timer?

 

[kamil5000]

I wouldn't say 'similar' because the Tunze is almost a computer controlled pump that can change output based on a light sensor as well as different pre-set programs depending on what wave effect you want.

But for sure, you will have a much better enviorment for your pets using the power cord wavemaker then just the regular laminar flow.

 

[sttroyiii]

I just performed the timer mod and maxijet mod this weekend. I really like it a lot. I have a MJ powerhead in the two back corners of the tank. Each time the timer makes them shut off for a second, there is a 50% chance of the powerhead changing the direction its going to blow. It creates a random flow of water in the tank, really keeping stuff suspended in order to be filtered out. This kept the tank dirtier for the first night, but its been clearer than ever since that first night. You are looking at a total cost of (2) $12.95 MJ powerheads and (1) cheap timer. Additional material costs might be a Dremel tool if you dont have one, super glue, and some way to plug both powerhead cords into the same timer. About $30 and an hour of labor was very rewarding for me.

 

[Willie_6]

What timer did you use? Does it turn on and off once a day? Every couple of minutes?

 

[Mykayel]

I'm assumeing he's talking about this thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=469673

 

[sttroyiii]

Yep, I happened to have the exact timer in that post. The actual bending of the metal tabs was a little difficult to figure out from the pictures. If you just think about what you are doing, you should be able to figure it out though. You just need the tabs to seperate slighty during the cycle.