Too much flow for Clowns?

[zibba]

I just picked up a pair of false percs for my new 90 gal (new...but cycled for one month and parameters stable). I have about 25-30x flow in the tank which includes 3 powerheads and my return. They seemed to be struggling in the current so I turned off all of the powerheads for awhile so they could get acclimated and they seemed to like their new home.

I would like to turn the powerheads back on. Especially since I plan on keeping sps and I want the clowns to be use to the increased flow.

Is this too much flow for them to live happily? Any recommendataions? Thanks

 

[jaydubh11]

They just need some time to adjust, no worries.

 

[jpgwold]

I am sure that everyone can give you their opinions but the best way to be positive is to try it out and watch them carefully. Try turning on one powerhead at a time, give them time to adjust and turn on the next so on. Watch their breathing and see if it stresses them out too much. Anyway I hope it works out for you and your new friends. Keep us updated.

 

[zibba]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10333867#post10333867 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jpgwold
Try turning on one powerhead at a time, give them time to adjust and turn on the next so on. Watch their breathing and see if it stresses them out too much.

This is what I had planned to do. I think it is the safest and best method to a successful acclimation. They are a beautiful pair and I want the best for them. Thanks for the advise.

 

[joker577]

Make sure you try to feed as many times a day as possible, in small amounts...they are nibble feeders so in the wild they're used to nibbling on a few bites here and there throughout the day. Plus since they're fighting with the current you'll need to feed more anyways to keep up with how many calories and energy they burn.

 

[GSMguy]

flow cant bother them 24x is still much much much less than the turnover in the ocean

 

[zibba]

update: the clowns have adjusted very well to the turnover. and have been eating well. i understand that a natural environment would have much more turn over, but after coming from a LFS where there is MAYBE 5-10x turnover...it was a new stress that I wanted to minimize.

i have been feeding 1-2x daily and they have been doing very well.

Thanks everyone for your advise.

 

[Amphiprion]

No problems there. They can handle and even like much more flow than that. Mine enjoy playing in around 100x turnover.

 

[joker577]

Unless the fish is a strict predator (like a Lionfish), then you should know that the fish eats throughout the day. Most fishes are grazers or nibblers. Large Angelfishes are well known nibblers. Some have been measured to nibble 3 to 5 times every minute on the reef! Ideally they are fed small meals throughout the day just like they eat in the wild. Their digestive track has evolved for this kind of continuous and small intake of foods. Though inconvenient for those of us with full time jobs, the next choice would be three meals per day. In no case should fishes that graze or nibble should be fed less than twice a day. Try to find three times in the day you can feed the fish. Feeding frequency is mentioned in other sections below relating to the foods and types of fishes.

Quote taken from a great fish nutrition article