Do I have enough flow?

ok so I read the article in the how to section by mikejrice about flow and I just wanted to run some numbers past more experienced people.

right now I have a few LPS and some zoas but I would like to branch out into SPS soon and I'm starting to wonder if I have enough flow.

right now I have the JBJ Oceanstream wavemaker with two 1600gph circulation pumps. I have them alternating every 10 secs. I also have another 400gph coming from my filter but that comes from the back to the front where as the circulation pumps go from one side of the tank to the other.

In the article about basic flow it says that I should have at least 40x turnover rate for SPS, the way I figure right now I have about 21x turnover rate when only one pump is on.

my question is should I purchase a couple more pumps and have those alternate as well or should I just have the 2 pumps on constantly giving me a constant 3200gph which would then be 42x turnover rate?

I'd hate to have 4 pumps in the tank pump if thats what I gotta do then so be it, heck if I had the money I would get myself a couple of MP40s but those are going to have to wait lol

any suggestion you guys can give me would be great. Thanks in advance.

 

Hi tonythereefer,


What size tank do you have?

At one time I had JBJ Oceanstream wavemaker system in my JBJ 28 gallon and I did not feel it was enough.

You might consider instead of getting two more pumps of the same name, get one bigger pump of a different brand.

Bump for the flow/numbers gurus.

 

It's a 75 gallon tank, according to the math on the flow basics thread if I have 1600gph flow and 75 gallons then 1600÷75=21x turnover rate and with 3200gph it would be 42x turnover

If I'm wrong or mistaken please let know

 

Personally I like >50x for acros, and I feel you could use quite a bit more flow before trying some SPS.

 

+2

I would definitely add one big powerhead or a few smaller ones (Corals love flow! )

 

Any suggestions as to a "big" powerhead?

I have a couple of small cobalt MJ-600 powerheads would those work if I kept them both on constantly? Or do I need something bigger like a couple koralia 1050s?

 

If possible, maybe a Koralia 1050 or two.

 

Ok I know I'll probably get flamed for this but what about a 3200gph sunsun powerhead off eBay? I could get a couple of those for almost the same price as 1 koralia.

 

so here's what I'm thinking...

I'll get one of these for now Circulation Pump Wave Maker 3200 GPH Aquarium Reef Powerhead Magnetic Mount | eBay

Mount it in the center of the back glass and have one spout pointing up and left and the other up and right, I'll have it constantly one so I'll always have 4800gph flow which is about 56x turnover

 

I've actually heard some great reviews from them. Just make sure that you get the right voltage