Do I need more flow?

[SomeHappyFish]

Goal is to go mixed reef but lps, softies first...
Tank is 3' long 18' wide

XF130 Gyre is running pulse 40%
Sicce sdc 3.0 return pump l, 2x 3/4" nozzle at 100%

Should I go higher % on my gyre or add another on the other side at lower %
Example two at 20% pulse.

Should I add a little nero 3 or octo pulse 2 on the right side to break that surface film?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I also have 3' long 18" wide (40 breeder), my sicce 6.0 is set 35%, and I use 2 x 2k icecap gyres set about 40%-45% each. I have lps and sps, even a clam and trachy in there with that flow. Personally I always like more flow

 

[WallyTime7]

Depends what type of coral you want to house?
I'm always a fan of more flow and dialing it back. Increasing monthly as it gets backed with algae, clean every 3 months. Repeat.

 

[fishyjoes]

I don't have a tank in that size but I like more wave makers at lower speed to give you more ability to get the flow where you need it.
Also if you start growing algae it's easy to bump the rate up a bit until you get around to cleaning day

 

[SomeHappyFish]

I also have 3' long 18" wide (40 breeder), my sicce 6.0 is set 35%, and I use 2 x 2k icecap gyres set about 40%-45% each. I have lps and sps, even a clam and trachy in there with that flow. Personally I always like more flow

I wish I had two gyre

 

[SomeHappyFish]

Depends what type of coral you want to house?
I'm always a fan of more flow and dialing it back. Increasing monthly as it gets backed with algae, clean every 3 months. Repeat.

Zoa, Gorgonian, Hammer, Acros, Birdnest , Acans, Montipora...

 

[SomeHappyFish]

I don't have a tank in that size but I like more wave makers at lower speed to give you more ability to get the flow where you need it.
Also if you start growing algae it's easy to bump the rate up a bit until you get around to cleaning day

What wavemaker should I get ? ideas

 

[Lavey29]

Your current flow looks pretty good. My tank is mixed reef SPS dominant 36x22x22. I have 2 MP40s. I started out around 50% intensity but found to much flow killed off corals here and there. For the past several years now my MP40s only max out at 28% in the day and 20% overnight and all my corals thrive with growth now. These boxes don't need that much flow plus I believe hard flow is what causes seam failures too.

 

[fishyjoes]

What wavemaker should I get ? ideas

I couldn't get the video to play, but I use the jebao ones. I have one SLW (more spread out output pattern) and one SOW (more focused output). The SLW seems less likely to lose flow due to clogging (I have to clean the SOW more often)
I have no suggestion for a gyre style pump as I have never used one.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I would leave it as is and see how coral respond to flow

 

[SomeHappyFish]

I would leave it as is and see how coral respond to flow

Thanks for the input ! Should I do anything about the biofilm on the water surface ?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Thanks for the input ! Should I do anything about the biofilm on the water surface ?

You can assuming you have an overflow adjust flow pump so water runs to sump quicker. If no overflow, air stone or even a hang on power filter which will offer surface agitation

 

[SomeHappyFish]

You can assuming you have an overflow adjust flow pump so water runs to sump quicker. If no overflow, air stone or even a hang on power filter which will offer surface agitation

pump is already running at full speed... Il'l see what I can do, I don't really want to add an airstone or hang on the pack powerfilter, hence why I was opting for a small wavemaker for more surface agitation on the right side.