Flow experts please help!

[ReefLab]

I'm trying to dial in flow in my reefer 425xl (roughly: 4'x2'x20"tall). I'd like to add Acropora in the next couple of months and I know they demand higher flow. Problem is, I have my flow set to about 20% and even there my euphyllia don't want to really open up, especially my elegance coral (bottom left in front panel shot). Im planning on placing acros on the back and top.
Im running a Vario6 return pump at 100% and 2 MP40's on the back wall set to 20%. Could anyone please give me some tips on placement of my powerbeads/returns and what I can do to make sure all the corals are happy?

 

[Mical]

I'ld put the MP40s on opposing sides and run them at about 40-50%. I have a pair on a 120 and 40% seems to be the sweetspot. (my tank is 48x24x24) It gets a little dicey for my nems but they've survived alot worse. Just a suggestion.

 

[homer1475]

And thats one of the reasons why mixed reefs are so hard to master.
For me, I put all my LPS on the bottom portion of the reef(near or on the sandbed) and my SPS are up high in the flow.

It also helps if your aquascape allows you to "hide" some LPS behind rocks so they don't get blasted with flow.

 

[homer1475]

I would second Mical too.

In my 80 cube I have 2 mp10's on the side glass, 2 jebao PP8's on the back glass, and a Gyre on the center style overflow.

As long as your LPS aren't violently getting whipped about, they will eventually adjust to the extra flow.

 

[ReefLab]

I'ld put the MP40s on opposing sides and run them at about 40-50%. I have a pair on a 120 and 40% seems to be the sweetspot. (my tank is 48x24x24) It gets a little dicey for my nems but they've survived alot worse. Just a suggestion.

Thanks. I love the minimal look of having the pumps on the back wall but I'll have to try that out if I can't get it dialed in. What mode are your mp40s set to?

 

[homer1475]

Keep in mind that with them on the sides, the waves will crash into each other creating more chaotic flow then laminar.

 

[ReefLab]

And thats one of the reasons why mixed reefs are so hard to master.
For me, I put all my LPS on the bottom portion of the reef(near or on the sandbed) and my SPS are up high in the flow.

It also helps if your aquascape allows you to "hide" some LPS behind rocks so they don't get blasted with flow.

I would second Mical too.

In my 80 cube I have 2 mp10's on the side glass, 2 jebao PP8's on the back glass, and a Gyre on the center style overflow.

As long as your LPS aren't violently getting whipped about, they will eventually adjust to the extra flow.

Wow that sounds like a heck of a lot of flow lol. Maybe giving them more time is the answer. I just hate seeing my elegance folding back on itself. When it fully opens its just stunning..

 

[Mical]

MP40s are set in attached is left, right is identical but in anti -sync mode.

 

[ReefLab]

MP40s are set in attached is left, right is identical but in anti -sync mode.

Interesting. I don't have any external controller but this would be worth looking into if things don't work out as is. Thank you

 

[homer1475]

Even without a controller, you can still set one in antisync.

 

[Mical]

Not a problem. Merry Christmas!

 

[ReefLab]

Even without a controller, you can still set one in antisync.

So I guess what I'd like to do then is get the flow as high as my LPS will tolerate before adding SPS so they can thrive. Is it possible to have too much flow for SPS? acros specifically