Wave Flow

[Chief501]

Just added the Current USA Marine Bundle to my 75 gallon tank. What's the best location for my wave pumps (have 2) and should I pick one flow and leave it or change it up every few days. Wave or serge pattern? And while I'm asking what distance should my lights be from the top of the water. It has three settings, low, medium and high.

 

[Valentini89]

I have a current orbit marine pro over my QT, about 4" from the waters surface. That isn't a real powerful light so the closer the better. As far as flow pumps, pick a setting a stay with it. No need to change that once you have it set, unless you find you have some unhappy Coral down the road. And best location would be one on either end of the tank, pointing in opposite directions.

 

[Uncle99]

Alternating random flow best emulates the ocean currents

 

[Bryanmc1988]

Does a reef tank need to have a wave maker or can a continuous circulation fan be place at the top to create a gyra effect work just the same?

 

[Valentini89]

Does a reef tank need to have a wave maker or can a continuous circulation fan be place at the top to create a gyra effect work just the same?

You don't have to have a wave maker, flow pumps will work. I have 2 flow pumps on opposite ends of my 150g with no wave maker and all of my corals are happy.

 

[Uncle99]

As long as corals don't get blasted in the same direction 24-7, this is fine.
I use timers, half hour intervals, random, works just as good as the wave maker.
Probably a bit hard on the motors though...oh well.