Star Polyp Growth/Flow Problem

[FragMan07]

Hey everyone,


Merry Christmas to all.

I have a giant piece of Green Star Polyp encompassing 3 pieces of live rock that isn't coming out all the way. The piece is definitely "hairy" as the bristles or whatever you call them are about half way out all over the piece.

My levels, salinity, lighting.....all great.

I think it is not growing because I recently took out a powerhead that was previously blowing near it and now it has very little flow. Not waving around too much at all.

My question is......what's a device that will offer the MINIMAL amount of flow in a tank???

I have zooanthids in the tank that dont like big flow, which is why I removed the extra device in the first place. So what I'm looking to do is get the LEAST powerful flow or blowing device to aim only at the Star Polyp that's about 3-4 inches across and 3 inches high..

Does such a thing exist? If it comes down to deciding between my Zooanthids not opening at all and my Star Polyps opening 1/2 way, I'm just gonna leave things as they are.

Thanks!

 

[Avi]

Specifically which powerheads have you been using? What's in there now?

 

[FragMan07]

Currently there are only 2 powerheads in there.

I have a Maxi Jet 400 in the bottom back left corner of the tank making sure there is no dead space in the back.

I also have a Maxi Jet 1200 in the top back left corner blowing towards the surface rippling the surface.

 

[ACBlinky]

What I might do is replace the MJ 400 with another 1200, and try aiming the two powerheads at each other, from opposite sides and/or corners of the tank. What that should do is create more random, gentle flow throughout the tank and eliminate the majority of direct (laminar) flow. What your zoas are objecting to isn't flow in and of itself, but too much direct flow. I have about 10 different kinds of zoas/palys, from large to small, in my 90g and none of them object to the fair amount of flow they receive, but if I aim a jet of water at them (for instance to turkey baste the rocks) they close immediately.

Alternatively, you could switch to one or two Tunze NanoStreams; they're pricey, but worth it. These pumps have much wider nozzles and move more water overall than smaller powerheads, but provide indirect flow that corals just love.

 

[Avi]

If you use MJ1200s, you could also consider putting Hydor Flow Deflectors on them. The Tunzes recommended above by ACBlinky are a better alternative, as are Koralias and Seios, but the Hydors are a whole lot less costly if that's an issue.

 

[FragMan07]

What if I added another MJ to the opposite lower corner of my tank (right bottom corner) to have the two powerheads on the bottom aiming at each other?

Would the flow moving upwards indirectly help at all?

I really like the ripple water surface effect that my MJ 1200 is doing right now and would prefer not to alter its flow.

BTW, the star polyps are located front and center in my tank.

 

[ACBlinky]

What you want is two or more powerheads with intersecting flow - in my tank, both Tunzes are near the surface, and point slightly up. They provide surface movement and where the flows meet, there's a strong downward current. This is broken up by the return from the sump, which comes from the center of the tank at the back. The result is constantly-altering, medium flow.

Most folks will tell you that each tank is different, and the only way to really get good flow in your tank is to play with it until everything is happy. I find wide-mouthed powerheads like Tunzes and Seios MUCH easier to work with than traditional powerheads - even if it's pointed straight at a coral, a Tunze is much less likely to bother it than a MaxiJet, because the flow is so much more diffused.

Rather than add a third powerhead to your 30g, it might be better to get the hydor flows, or spring for a Tunze NanoStream - even one, aimed at a corner of the tank, might do the trick. I have an old Seio 820 in my 30g clown tank and while it's not pretty (it's HUGE), it creates great flow and everything's happy as can be. It's in the back right corner, aimed at the front left corner.

HTH

 

[demonsp]

Sorry to much readings but heres my 2 cents. Removing a powerhead to reduce flow for a coral is not good for the overall tank growth. You need to move the coral that like lower flow to a lower flow area. This is anotherreason why rock placement is important. And you cant expect to setup the rockwork once and be done with it. I have already changed my rockwork 3 time with another in the future.

 

[FragMan07]

bump

 

[Avi]

Frag...why are you bumping? Is there something that you feel isn't there so far?