Flow

I know this is one of those hear we go again topics, but I can not get my mind on what I am wanting to do and need help. I am about to endeavor on an SPS journey. The old saying is you can't have too much flow. But....I also want to keep some torches, or frogspawn or blastomomussa, open brain and some zoos. All of these mentioned have low to moderate flow requirements. I have seem many SPS tanks with these and other LPS in it as well and this is what I am looking to do. It will be mostly an SPS though. With SPS needing and wanting high flow I was looking as some of the superflow powerheads (tunze, seio, even the modified maxijet which is where I am leaning). Currently I have 4 MJ1200s and 600 - 700 gph on my return from the sump using a SQWD. Is this enough flow for SPS, because I think I am at the limit where I can be with a mixed tank. I would love to convert 1 or 2 of my MJ1200s into the highflow ones (I have a Red Sea Wave timer) for the SPS but two things scare me....First I have fine sand substrate and fear the higher flow will create a sand storm, and secondly I don't think the LPSs can take a 30 plus flow ratio. One last thing too, will my fish (see signature) be able to handle this kind of flow? Should I still go with the MJ1200 mod. and take the others out, or maybe keep a couple? If I do this I don't think I will get rid of all the dead spots in the tank. Right now there are maybe one very small spot that has what I call low current or very little current. With all the reading I have done I feel like I am running in circles.....I technically have enough flow, but they are more high velocity jets instead of currents.Oh yeah.....this is for a 90 gal. tank.....any help would be greatly appreciated.....

 

Hey how are ya?
Ok, basically for you it will be a trial and error sort of thing as flow rate gph is not indicative of a good or bad flow rate for your tank or even the amount of gallons turned over per hour!
Different corals require different intensities with regards to water movement as you already know, so with that in mind you can get around this by rearranging your corals or changing the directional flow of your powerheads!
The best way to set up powerheads is to have the flow bank off the glass as it affords you the ability to have water flow in a more significant area than if you just placed the powerhead to blow away from the glass!
You can also have water flow without the problem of your sand being kicked around and clouding up your water column by again placing the powerhead in a strategic location or using a less powerful powerhead!
I wouldn't worry about your fish being swept away from the water flow as that won't be a problem!
Corals can handle alot of water flow such as Montipora and Acropora species especially, with the so called "meaty" corals requiring less due to the possibility of injuring them by ripping their tissue from their calcareous skeleton. Best bet is to not have direct flow to any coral but have it be basically an indirect flow to again insure that you don't injure your corals or cause your corals polyps not to open fully!
Hope this helps ya! TOM

 

I generally prefer and recommend stream style pumps for the best bang for the buck (especially in larger aquaria)... but your special needs coral mix makes you a candidate for the great finesse/control one gets from a closed loop manifold. Do consider it my friend.

 

Anthony I thank you for your repsonse as I am a great admirer of your knowledge and work....I have thought about a close loop system (lack of PH in the tank) but am limited in the room I have to place an external pump. I would also like the ability to moderate the flow (wave action).Being a non-drilled tank I am not real sure how to get flow to a pump if decided to go this route and to figure out how much GPH pump I would need.....I have seen your closed loop example and loved the idea, but am not sure I can handle this task, but I will do more research on it!

 

Coral Reefer....again thanks for helping me out.....I was thinking I would need to do what you are suggesting.....I just want to insure my (future) corals are healthy and thriving and not just surviving. I will do what I can do with what many of us have....limited budget. I am not real sure I have the room for a closed loop system but will look into that some more.....If need be I will sacrifice (not putting in the tank) the LPS I want to make sure the SPSs are thriving. This is my last resort, but am not against it if need be.

 

Coral Reefer....do you still use your WAVE2K? How is that for flow? Could this be an option?

 

Hey rashr,
Yes i do use my Wave2k as I finally got around to setting it up! I do enjoy it and like the different kind of wave/water movement associated with it!
The Wave2k pushes out and pulls in 8.8gallons of water each cycle and performs this cycle every 6 seconds! It produces a nice chaotic movement that rivals that seen when snorkeling in the ocean!
You could try this option as well-One of the nice things about reefing is that their are so many options and really no right or wrong answer to what you are planning on accomplishing with regards to your tank! The main thing as you very well understand is the overall success, health and growth of our inhabitants!

 

With having a fine sand substrate would the WAVE2K create a sandstorm so to speak? I don't know why I didn't think of this route to begin with.....I may have to go this route.....more cost effective and gets me the surge that is more like nature!

 

What you need to do is first make sure that your wave unit is atleast 3" above your substrate! If this isn't possible, they can send you a baffle so to speak to basically block the sand below from getting too disturbed!

 

I don't know how they are mounted to the tank, but the tank is 24" deep and by the dimensions of the product (16" high) I should be fine.