Can SPS have *too much* flow?

[RC Corals]

What do you mean by that? Can you elaborate more.

Acros can handle an absolute TON of flow. As others have said, if the flesh isn't blowing off, they're probably fine.
However, there's many many different corals that are "SPS" that cannot handle as much flow and will blow the polyps off their skeletons or simple cause them to die off. Seriatopora (birdsnest), Montiporas, Pocillopora, etc all are easier to keep than Acro's, yet don't need or do not handle "high flow" near as much as Acropora's.
SPS is a very VERY broad general classification of corals.
Most of the time people will say "I can't keep SPS alive, when they actually mean I can't keep delicate Acropora alive, and those same people will have SPS in their tank surviving just fine"

 

[craigbuss]

What mode(s) are you running your MP40s? I run mine in "Reef Crest" about 80% of the time at just shy of 80% flow and have no issues w/too much flow.

Do you run the mp40s on reef crest at the same time or do you have one off and a rotating schedule?

 

[Mical]

Do you run the mp40s on reef crest at the same time or do you have one off and a rotating schedule?

They both run at the same time, but via Apex I can alternate sync and anti-sync modes which changes patterns throughout the day.

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

To your question about too much, you definitely can but it’s more about too much direct flow. I have two MP40s on my 24 inch cube and while I don’t get tissue peeling, I do get some branches that grow into weird shapes or create cups or plates. So keep that in mind as well!

Me too. I can’t seem to find the perfect balance for every acro with my 2 mp40s on my 50g cube. Do you have them mounted on the back? What mode do you use?

 

[Brandon McHenry]

Me too. I can’t seem to find the perfect balance for every acro with my 2 mp40s on my 50g cube. Do you have them mounted on the back? What mode do you use?

I have an All-in-one so they are mounted one on each side. On reef crest anti-sync I can get most polyps blowing around nicely without too much direct blasting. I have them turned all the way down but I still think that is 1000gph each. So that’s around 2000gph or around 60x tank turnover. I have one at the very top on the left and one a few inches lower on the right. It has given a good cross flow in both directions.

I attached a picture for reference.

 

[shred5]

Depends on the coral.
Generally a thicker branched coral prefers more flow and thinner branched prefer less flow.
Example acropora gemmifera or acropora humilis are thick branch and can handle more flow.

 

[RC Corals]

Me too. I can’t seem to find the perfect balance for every acro with my 2 mp40s on my 50g cube. Do you have them mounted on the back? What mode do you use?

I've had my biggest flow challenges with Cube type setups. Very easy for them to just turn into rotating vortexes of flow.

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

I've had my biggest flow challenges with Cube type setups. Very easy for them to just turn into rotating vortexes of flow.

My setup works great for acros on the sides but it creates a steady current in the middle of the rock scape.

 

[Reefahholic]

Acros can handle an absolute TON of flow. As others have said, if the flesh isn't blowing off, they're probably fine.
However, there's many many different corals that are "SPS" that cannot handle as much flow and will blow the polyps off their skeletons or simple cause them to die off. Seriatopora (birdsnest), Montiporas, Pocillopora, etc all are easier to keep than Acro's, yet don't need or do not handle "high flow" near as much as Acropora's.
SPS is a very VERY broad general classification of corals.
Most of the time people will say "I can't keep SPS alive, when they actually mean I can't keep delicate Acropora alive, and those same people will have SPS in their tank surviving just fine"

Random alternating flow that changes direction is good. Direct flow in one direction is not so good. So if there are beginners here looking to increase flow, make sure you change it up and avoid blasting corals head on in the same direction for long periods of time.

 

[radiata]

I don't think there is such a thing as "too much flow" in one of our tanks, as compared to a real in-ocean reef. The actual flow over a real reef can be mind boggling...

 

[Chessmanmark]

Ryan states in this video that “high PAR needs extremely high water flow.”

 

[Pistondog]

I use pe as a guide.
Recently upped the flow to some sps and noticed considerable pe, so happy.

 

[Chrispelletier62]

I have a Red Sea Max E 260. The tank is 3’ long and 18” wide. The glad is 1/2” so I want to get the vortec mp40’s. Should I get one or two? And any suggestions where to place them? My rocks are running down the middle of the tank so there is space all around them.