Do I have too much flow for my fish?

[Vitaly S]

I have a Red Sea reefer 250 (55gal), with two Vortech MP40Ws on the back wall, each on one side. I have been running them using different modes throughout the day, maxing at 23% power, at night it drops to 3%.

I just got two juvenile clown fish, about 1.5-2 inch each. It seems they are struggling swimming against the current, they they swim across, the current pushes them away. Also when powerheads are on, they just sit in the corner and swim a little up and down, but mostly staying in place. When I shut powerheads off they do venture a bit and swim around, especially if i get close to the glass.

So should I lower my upper power on the MP40s? Maybe at leas they grow up?

Note this is newly cycled tank, I had clowns now for about two and half days, no corals, but I am planning to get them in about 6 month when tank matures a bit.

 

[KrisReef]

I swam a fish to death in an aquarium with two powerheads (not vortech, but similar flow) in a shorter but wider and shallower tank.

Maybe you can shut one of the pumps down and see if they change their behavior? Clowns do often set up a territory where they feel safe, but if they are struggling to swim in the current they could be in serious trouble.

 

[RJ F.]

I agree with kris. Clowns are territorial but they can be adventurous too. I see mine swimming in my ph from time to time. However my ph are nowhere near mp40. With them only being in for 2 days they could still be getting used to the tank. Give it some more time to see if they adjust. If they dont then try making some changes

 

[Vitaly S]

Just shut off powerheads and I see them venturing from the corner and checking surroundings. Before that they were sitting in one spot, in the corner under powerhead, where I assume is less flow.

I will run PW at 3% to still have some flow, also wondering now if placement on the back of the tank is not that great, but I do like that there are no headphones on sides of tank...

 

[Butuz]

I have a Red Sea reefer 250 (55gal), with two Vortech MP40Ws on the back wall, each on one side. I have been running them using different modes throughout the day, maxing at 23% power, at night it drops to 3%.

I just got two juvenile clown fish, about 1.5-2 inch each. It seems they are struggling swimming against the current, they they swim across, the current pushes them away. Also when powerheads are on, they just sit in the corner and swim a little up and down, but mostly staying in place. When I shut powerheads off they do venture a bit and swim around, especially if i get close to the glass.

So should I lower my upper power on the MP40s? Maybe at leas they grow up?

Note this is newly cycled tank, I had clowns now for about two and half days, no corals, but I am planning to get them in about 6 month when tank matures a bit.

I have a reefer 250, two mp40s on each side glass. Each running appx 45% throughout the day, 20% lagoon st night. I have 2 clowns and some other small fish. No problems.

 

[Rukk]

Two MP 40s in a tank your size may be just too much unless you keep them running at really low percentage.

 

[Vitaly S]

I have a reefer 250, two mp40s on each side glass. Each running appx 45% throughout the day, 20% lagoon st night. I have 2 clowns and some other small fish. No problems.

Are your clowns juvenile or adults? Even at the 15% power they were pushed by the flow...

 

[RJ F.]

I run my ph opposing each other on the sides of the tank. Mine are angled up so they create a tumbling effect when they meet in the middle then the flow pushes down then back out to the sides again. Looks like this lol

 

[Vitaly S]

Haha nice visual thank you.

I had it originally set on the sides, can't angle since this has to be sit flat to glass. However, I did not like the "headphones" look so moved them to the back.

 

[RJ F.]

I wanted mine on the back too but I couldn't seem to get the flow right. Even with mine turned all the way down my zoas were still closing. Flow is different for every tank due to what's in the tank (aquascaping). You really have to experiment to see what works for you

 

[Butuz]

Are your clowns juvenile or adults? Even at the 15% power they were pushed by the flow...

I had them since there were tiny juveniles. Not sure about your scape, but I suspect they cant find a place with moderate flow that they like. Mine have a spot next to the powerhead, but slightly ahielded. Thats their home. Btw, at night, they always go to the corner, top 2 inches of water and stay there all night. That is normal behaviour. Too little flow will cause issues for you with corals, algea etc. try moving your mp40s to sides. See the pics in my thread below.

 

[Vitaly S]

Will do! I got MP40s based on BRS video suggestion, where they show how to set up tank...

I will let fish rest for a day or two, then will use very low flow settings and see how they behave.

Thank you all so much!

 

[reelredfisah]

So on a 5' tank 180 gallon bare bottom guess my MP60 on one end and two MP40's across from are to much flow for fish as well?

 

[Vitaly S]

Here the screenshot of my tank. Rocks are right in the middle there is about same amount of room behind as in front, on the right side two small rocks are free standing. Clowns were sitting in the right corner right below right powerhead level. Now with pumps off as you can see they are exploring

 

[Vitaly S]

So on a 5' tank 180 gallon bare bottom guess my MP60 on one end and two MP40's across from are to much flow for fish as well?

I can't really say, as you can see have questions about my tank. But to give you perspective, my MP40s were pushing from back to front, a distance of only 19". I would assume having much larger distance to push water across helps...