Water flow

[Lorena quinn]

New to the hobby, I have a clownfish and and a coral beauty. New coral yet but established live rock in a 55 gallon. I have a power head on each side of the tank. The clown stays on one side under the power head so he doesn't have to fight the current. Is 2 to much?

 

[hijinks]

might want to tell people what power heads you have in the tank

 

[JohnZena]

If your clown is healthy and is staying in that spot, I would say that the flow may be to strong. My clowns utilize the entire tank and avoid the direct flow areas. Try pointining your powerheads in different positions while watching the clowns reactions. Find the sweet spot where they seem happiest. Your powerheads positioning may change many times as you add coral. Your fish will tell you when you have it right. Good luck.

Sent from my LGMP450 using Tapatalk

 

[mcgyvr]

The number of powerheads is basically useless without their flow rating..

In general the commonly thrown around recommendations are as follows..

Low flow = 20-30 times display tank size in gallons per hour (good starting point)
Medium flow = 30-50x (typical happy mixed reef)
High flow = 50-75x or more (typically for SPS only/barebottom tanks

Example: staring out a 10g tank would want a total flow rate in the tank of 200-300GPH
and this can be powerheads + return pump (if you have a sump)

But yes.. multiple powerheads allow more opportunities to reduce/eliminate dead spots where poop,etc... can settle..

 

[Lorena quinn]

To be honest unless there is a way to look at them and tell I dont have a clue what they are right off. 1 is older someone else used it before me. The other I can tell when I get home and look at the box but the newer one is a good bit stronger than the old. Clown is very healthy.

 

[Uncle99]

Just leave him alone, he will pick his spot...

It's like chasing PH.....

I doubt you have too much flow...

 

[Lorena quinn]

OK thank you ��

 

[lapin]

New to the hobby, I have a clownfish and and a coral beauty. New coral yet but established live rock in a 55 gallon. I have a power head on each side of the tank. The clown stays on one side under the power head so he doesn't have to fight the current. Is 2 to much?

If you want the fish to swim out in the open reduce the flow from the power heads. Pointing them at rock work or the tank sides will disperse the flow.

 

[Lorena quinn]

Good advice thank you.

 

[FaithKlim]

For me I've found it to be a tricky balance between finding enough flow my my corals (mixed SPS & LPS frags), and having it low enough for the fish to swim & explore comfortably. I ended up plugging the powerhead & gyre into a timer which switches them off for 30 mins at each feeding time. Allows them to eat & swim without the stronger currents.

 

[Lorena quinn]

That to is also a good idea! Thank you. I may use that idea when I start getting into corals.

 

[teddscau]

I hear random flow generators can help. From what I understand, the flow doesn't need to be as intense, and it creates a far more natural current with your tank. I don't know for a fact since I don't even have a saltwater tank yet, but this is from what I read. You can get them for really cheap, too ($20 or so).

 

[Lorena quinn]

Great! Cheap is good thing.