water flow question

[confusedxx]

I was looking at the VorTech calculator and the volume of flow that a MP40 and MP60 would create in a tank that is roughly 280g.

According to the site, a single MP40 and MP60 would create too much flow (more than 5900 g/hr) to be used for LPS corals, but would be too weak for SPS (less than 9800 g/hr). I would have to go with 2 MP40 running at full blast or a single MP60 running at lowest settings to have the optimum flow for LPS corals.

What happens to LPS corals if the flow is more than optimum? How do people successfully keep LPS and SPS together in large reef tanks and keep the water flow right for both of them?

 

[Tigerdragon]

Why not look at the gyre xf150 or even the jebao rw15? Both are adjustable and both will give up to 5000gph

 

[confusedxx]

I might go with different brands, but liked the VorTech because the sync options with each other and the lights I was looking at. The concerns is more about the consequence to the LPS of putting them into a flow situation which is suited for SPS corals?

 

[snorvich]

LPS are typically found in nature at low flow locations. As far as I know, they do best in low flow tanks.

 

[potterjon]

What happens to LPS corals if the flow is more than optimum? How do people successfully keep LPS and SPS together in large reef tanks and keep the water flow right for both of them?

Placement of the coral or location can help deal with too much flow.

 

[klwheat]

you can always adjust the vortechs for the amount of flow you want. Any like potterjon mentioned....careful placement can really help.

 

[Reef Frog]

I haven't seen the calculators, but...

The broad flow of a Vortec or similar powerhead is quite different from the laminar flow of a conventional impeller pump with flat blades. I'm no expert but I'm not sure how a GPH number can be useful in this case.

You just have to sort of wing it IME. Experiment with frag placement before committing to a permanent location and gluing them down. I have quite a few LPS species that coexist just fine with a few branching, plating & encrusting SPS, but no acropia so I can't comment on that. Since most LPS are eventualy placed in the bottom 2/3 of a tank with strong lighting, there should be opportunity to place to grow both categories.