Request for videos of proper water flow

[Shawn O]

Bought a rbta, a feather duster and a blue xenia frag. Both are supposed to like moderate to high flow. In my tank I can only seem to be able to give them almost no flow or they look like they're being blown around by a hurricane. Every time I make an adjustment to the flow for one animal the flow for one of the others dies or gets too strong. Anybody have video, or links to some, showing the proper flow for these animals? I need something to shoot for rather than just guessing.

tia, shawn.

 

[NS Mike D]

I don't have videos, but I do know that they will be ok if the "hurricane" is not prolonged. Do you have a wave maker that would prevent a constant flow? This might be a solution for you if you aren't able to find a location for your pump(s) and corals that is avoids a hurricane effect.

Similarly, I found that aimimg my pumps to the water surface gives my tank moderate flow throughout the tank as well as resulting in better gas exchange.

 

[Shawn O]

I'll have to try putting the PHs down lower in the tank and pointing them upwards. I have a pair of 400s and a pair of 800s and have found that the 400s arent enough flow and the 800s are way too much. One of each seems to work well enough but is hard to keep the flow even throughout the tank.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[zeeGGee]

Request for videos of proper water flow

It's a trial and error...Try to point it on the glass and a little but upwards towards the back...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[NS Mike D]

I'll have to try putting the PHs down lower in the tank and pointing them upwards. I have a pair of 400s and a pair of 800s and have found that the 400s arent enough flow and the 800s are way too much. One of each seems to work well enough but is hard to keep the flow even throughout the tank.

Thanks for the reply.

even flow is over rated,IMHO. These corals live with tides and weather affecting flow.

The Hydor Koralia basic wave maker is about $60 if you decide to go that route (there are more expensive wavemakers with more options). You could put the 800s at the top of the tank opposing each other to create a good turbulence at intervals on the wavemakers say 10 minutes on and then 10 min off. Then put the 400's lower to keep the sand bed free of dead spots (and thus free of detritus build up and algae).


My BTA gets hit from both pumps and at times it looks like it's being gently pulled out of it's nook. While I would say overall it's in a moderate flow, since the pumps are opposing and alternating, there is a decent variation in the flow. In addition to changing the direction of the flow, during the changeover there is a low flow period providing a break to the BTA. I have had it a month and it's doubled in size while keeping the "bubble" shape of it's tentacles.

My LFS has some LPS and softie corals in what I would call a hurricane. I asked about the high flow and he explained that the pumps are programmed with down time and they seem to do well getting blown over then rested.

PS the reason I suggested 10 minute intervals is that I had it longer up to 6 hours at one time to mimic tidal flows and reduce the strain of the pumps. But my corals we bending over more that I cared. I've since dialed in to a 10 minute alternating pattern, and while the intensity of the flow hasn't changed, the internals are much sorter. My soft corals are now more erect when they flow with the water. It makes them look stringer and healthier while still proving a visual of water movement.

 

[Shawn O]

Good to know. Thanks.

 

[rockslide123]

jebao makes controllable power heads that are affordable and better for starting and stopping than Hydor IMO. I use one in my 120 (4 ft long) in Wave mode (W1) just adjust the on/off cycle timing and the speed (all intuitive) you'll be all set.

 

[Reef Frog]

Sometimes at night I'll out a powerful actinic/royal blue flashlight up against the glass in several locations and observe. Especially after feeding corals some planktonic sized foods to the corals. The food particles are very easy to see swirling around, and it's easier to see and evaluate flow characteristics. Blowing off the rocks with a turkey baster and observing it with a very powerful narrow beam standard flashlight accomplishes the same thing.

Then I can fool around with my MP40 powerhead's different modes, location & power settings, as well as my return nozzles, and watch the results. It gives me a good idea of how the water flow affects the entire tank and where detritus is most likely to build up.