MP20 with LPS?

[aaron1987]

I keep a 46g column (20x18x30") mixed reef -- SPS in the top half, LPS (frogspawn, favia, candy canes, dendro's, duncans, Lobo's etc) in the bottom half. Currently flow is provided by two K3's and a K1 directed to the top half of the tank, the lower half receives lower flow as a by product of this, and the LPS seem to like this arrangement well enough. I'm thinking about swapping the koralias out for an MP20 because the narrow flow pattern of the koralia's in such a small footprint of a tank makes it so that i've got some unusable space in the top. The MP20 will be great for my SPS, without question, but I am concerned about it moving water too effectively for my LPS. I'm not entirely sure what to expect in terms of depth of flow from the MP20 in the small tank footprint; it will probably be located about 1/4" of the way down. Anyone with experience that could give me some guidance about whether I should be concerned with my LPS or not?

 

[luther1200]

I have an mp20 in my 65g. I have a hammer, frogspawn, acan, and favia. They are all doing noticably better with the mp20. The hammer and frogspawn specificaly have opened up more. I also still have a K3 in the tank. So I think you will be O.K. The mp20 has strong flow, but at the same time its gentle.

 

[ser_renely]

I am looking at the mp20 as well, so along for the ride.

 

[aaron1987]

Luther, what setting and power level do you have it set to, and how close to the MP20 are the LPS?

 

[luther1200]

I have it on lagoon random mode, at almost full power. The closest LPS are 12"-14" away, (roughly). I will get a pic later.

 

[tkeracer619]

It will be great. The way the flow on the bottom of a tank with vortechs works is an undertow. There will not be any blast of water from a pump, it just flows a huge amount of water in the direction of the pump. They are adjustable so you can dial it down if you have to but I doubt you will need too. I had an mp20 I converted to a mp40 but before I had it full blast in a 20g frag tank with lps and they had no problems with it. I would go with the mp40w in a 65 that has sps. The softies won't mind and you will be able to really dial it in the way you want.

 

[Dave Harms]

I plan on running an MP10 (which has the exact same flow, just smaller package) in my 15g with LPS. Shouldn't be a problem in your tank!

 

[luther1200]

The mp10 has a little less flow at 1575 max. The mp20 has 2000 max. There is a few other differences, but not many. The only other major 1that I saw was that the mp10 can only go on up 3/8" glass the mp20 can go up to 3/4".

http://ecotechmarine.com/products/vortech-mp10/