tank flow

[refonpit]

Merry Christmas everyone! Was wondering about tank flow. I have a couple of leathers that only occasionally open. After visiting UA and seeing the beautiful leathers in the display tank did I realize that something must be wrong with mine.
My water is 1.023 with a constant temp of 75, no noticeable nitrates. I am having a problem with calcium. Cant seem to keep it above 360-380 ppm. Have big monti cap and clams that seem to suck in all the milk.Have been dosing regularly now so hope to see improvement there.
My water flow I think may be a bit high. I was thinking more is better. I have 3 Aquaclear powerheads (250 gph each) and a Korill?? 3 rated at 850 gph. Not to mention the return pump putting in 400 gph. That 2000 per hour. Am i blasting my corals? What kinda flow do yall have? Im sure it depends on what type of corals you have as well. I just would like to see everyone happy in my tank.
I have several sps, bubble brain, pulsing xenia and the dreaded waving head athilia. A bubble tip anenome,devils hand,open brain,candy canes, zoos of different types, toadstool mushroom and as I mentioned before a huge Tricenda(?) clam. She is about10" now and monti cap about 14" in diameter.The moti cap has broken off several times so babies are being formed on the rock
Would appreciate any feedback. Thanks Debbie

 

[reefdadx2]

Size of tank? Length, width and height? Michael R

 

[dadyoj21]

also calcium will be depleted a long with the kh depending on consumption and from my experience with clams, large clams consume a good amount. I have used sea chem reef complete for a long time for calcium and have gone thru gallons of it dosing my tanks at least 3 times a week. at the same time I add buffer daily.

 

[refonpit]

thanks for the replies. Its a 72 gal bow front. 48"x??x24" I did a tank water calculation and came up with 57 gallons. It also said to have 6-10 times water turnover, which means I had practically put my corals and fish through a hurricane. How much turnover do you have?
I am using buffer plus to raise alkalinity and it contains calcuim. Think I should use something else as well? deb

 

[cayenne]

I will look tonight but I expect that at times when my pumps are all running at high speed I have a turnover around 25x in a primarily SPS dominated tank.

You will see people recommending anywhere from 10x - 30x, my advice would be to play with the placement of them and see if things perk up in the areas that you are concerned with.

 

[J. Montgomery]

If you want your calcium levels to stay above 400ppm then you're probably going to need to elevate your specific gravity to 1.026

 

[cayenne]

If you want your calcium levels to stay above 400ppm then you're probably going to need to elevate your specific gravity to 1.026

Good catch Josh, I didn't see that. Most salt mixes are adjusted to have close to optimum levels at 1.025 - 1.026 depending on the manufacturer. If you mix lower, you are typically behind the "8-Ball" and need to make up for it in other ways.

 

[refonpit]

Heard that. Ill start increasing the salinity while continuing to dose. Im using Instant Ocean. Appreciate the info.
BTW -- Landen Im envious of your 300G. What a setup! You can have anything you want in there.

 

[AIMFish]

Jorge mentioned kh and I'd suggest checking that also. The buffer plus that you're using is more than likely designed to raise alkalinity, kh, and not calcium. Testing Magnesium wouldn't hurt either, if that's low getting calcium and kh right will be difficult, near impossible. I think beer is a good bartering tool for most that have a Mg tester!

 

[ThurlowR]

I have a mag testing kit your more then welcome to borrow if you need to.

 

[goneawayfarm]

Since your original question was about flow, and first instincts are not to be ignored... I think you need to review Landens comment about playing with location. I had an issue with a softy that would not open consistantly and my solution was to eliminate as much laminar flow as possible and introduce more turbulant/random flow. All of a sudden it was happier. I also have a toadstool that will always pout for the first 4-5 days after a new coral is introduction to the tank. Don't know if that applies in your case.

Michael

 

[refonpit]

Thanks Micheal. Was wondering how to go about with a more turbulant flow. Wave maker?
Also--- my toadstool had a baby!!! It looks like an acorn sitting next to it's mama. Was a bud on the stem, appearantly fell off. Wow my toadstool laid an egg!! Guess that is some of the reason why she looked so "pew-knee".
Deb

 

[goneawayfarm]

As far as turbulent flow there are several different ways with different price tags. Just make sure if you are creating a current that it does not go at the softie unobstructed. For example point it a a rock that has no coral on it and let the rock break the water flow up. Point it directly at another water flow and let the two flows collide. Point it directly at one side or the tank and let the glass break up the flow. If you just point it toward the glass at an angle then it will still diffuse but not as much as pointing it directly.
Also, you can buy devices such as sea swirls. I have two of these and they work well with just the flow from your existing return pump. You can also go the powerhead and controller route. I have heard good things about the device called "SCWD" but have never seen one in action. Marine Depot has them for sale.

Michael