Flow? EcoTech VorTech/Vectra

[DaFlava]

I have a waterbox 90.3 tank (60G Display) with a Vectra S2 running at 60% and just installed two VorTech MP40mQD's running at mostly 5% (App says they are running at 1750GPH each. Would have went with the MP10's but those didn't seem to work well with the glass thickness. Curious if I have too much flow as my fish at times seem like they are struggling but maybe it's normal, should I only run one of these powerheads for this size tank? Or improper placement?

I'm still early so only have about 6 fish and very little Coral but my end goal is a mixed reef.

Images below for my aquascape and placement of the powerheads currently, haven't fully mounted the cabling yet.

 

[Water Dog]

Are you really running at only 5% or is that a typo and you’re running at 50%?

I have a similar dimension tank, a 57 gallon at 36x18x20 and I run my MP40s at 50% intensity in Reefcrest mode in antisync. Fish handle it just fine.

 

[Lavey29]

I have a similar size tank with same ecotech components. I run mine at 45% in lagoon mode anti sync.

Your mp40 are way to low. Put them about 3" under the water line.

 

[DaFlava]

I have a similar size tank with same ecotech components. I run mine at 45% in lagoon mode anti sync.

Your mp40 are way to low. Put them about 3" under the water line.

Really running at 5% ill try moving em up higher and increase the flow. Just seems like the fish struggle and alot of flow where they currently are.

 

[Water Dog]

What mode are you running? Are you getting any variability in your flow?

So DC pumps run at a minimum of around 30%. If you’re really running at only 5%, you may be running at just a constant 30%, with no variability in flow.

As an example, I run at 50%. So in Reefcrest mode, it will ramp randomly between the minimum 30% and 50%. If you’re running at 5%, you may just be sitting flat at the pump’s minimum flow setting.

MP40s have a max flow rating at 5000gph. At the 5% setting, you’re reading 1750gph, which is actuallly about 35% of 5000. If you were actually running at 5% it should be reading 250gph.

 

[Lavey29]

Really running at 5% ill try moving em up higher and increase the flow. Just seems like the fish struggle and alot of flow where they currently are.

I thought the same thing about my fish to when I first added them to the tank. I run 45% during the day and slowly decrease to 30% overnight. Run them on lagoon mode anti sync. Get some good surface agitation and keep your sand from blowing all around. The fish will be fine. Think how strong the ocean is for them.

 

[Lavey29]

You can see where mine are mounted close to the suface.

 

[DaFlava]

So moved them about 3 inches from the water line and bumped up the speed to 40%. Ive had it on Tidal Swell as that said harmonic balance but switched to lagoon. Seems better now! Should I not drop them
as low as I can when its night? 1% or so. Also not sync em?

 

[Lavey29]

No, the ocean doesn't stop at night. I run 45% during the day, then 40% 500pm to 800pm then 30% from 800pm till 800am.

 

[Lavey29]

So moved them about 3 inches from the water line and bumped up the speed to 40%. Ive had it on Tidal Swell as that said harmonic balance but switched to lagoon. Seems better now! Should I not drop them
as low as I can when its night? 1% or so. Also not sync em?

Run anti sync in the mobius app that way they push water back and forth. Just watch your sand and how stuff moves around the tank. It will tell you if your flow is good and so will your corals. If you see detritus flowing around the sandbed but your sand isn't blowing around that is a good level. Keep them up near the top to get good water ripple movement for 02 exchange.

 

[AJsReef]

I’d recommend checking out the Coral Labs flow article Here. Your tank is ideal for following the settings listed in the guide and should work great!