Flow, flow and more flow.

[atoll]

It has often been said flow is one of if not the most important thing we add to our reef aquariums esp SPS dominated. The more corals you have so the flow is diminished and even more so as those SPS grow and fill out all areas of the tank. How much flow should I have and do I have too much flow in my aquarium are regular questions that pop up on reef forums. The simple answer is enough flow to benefit whatever corals you have and not so much as to inhibit their expansion and growth. Now that is easier said than done I know.

Take my own tank 100 gallons with sump. My DT measures 54" long X 20" deep X 19" front to back. I started with 2 Maxspect Gyre FX-150s at opposite ends of the tank, as my corals grew I could see the flow reducing slightly so I added a FX130 vertically in the rear corner to provide a different kind of flow around the rear of my reefscape.

Of course, it's not just the amount of flow you have but how that flow is delivered and many corals are different in the flow they enjoy. Providing for the many different types of corals can be challenging but far from impossible.

I have now added a Tunze 6040 pump half way down the front right hand end of the tank with another ordered to go in the left hand front corner. 5 pumps plus my Jebao DC8000 return pump. My tank is a mixed reef with mainly SPS but also LPS and the odd softie. Corals are all doing great esp my SPS which love the flow but I can't see me adding anymore flow ..........well at least not for some time to come.

 

[CodyRVA]

Agreed. IME the direction (direct vs indirect) of flow is as equally important as the overall strength or amount of flow.

 

[atoll]

Agreed. IME the direction (direct vs indirect) of flow is as equally important as the overall strength or amount of flow.

Yes along with finding that sweet spot we all aim for.

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

I heard a saying a while ago: it's very difficult to have too much of the right kind of flow in a reef tank. It's very easy, however, to have too much of the wrong kind of flow.

 

[atoll]

I heard a saying a while ago: it's very difficult to have too much of the right kind of flow in a reef tank. It's very easy, however, to have too much of the wrong kind of flow.

That is also very true hence my reference to hitting the sweet spot when it comes to the right kind and strength of flow. People often think it's just a case of turning the flow up or down to hit the sweet spot and although it can help it is often the kind of flow they have is the issue rather than the power of it. It will pay dividends to experiment with your flow patterns and strength of flow to get it where your corals best appreciate it best.

 

[CodyRVA]

That is also very true hence my reference to hitting the sweet spot when it comes to the right kind and strength of flow. People often think it's just a case of turning the flow up or down to hit the sweet spot and although it can help it is often the kind of flow they have is the issue rather than the power of it. It will pay dividends to experiment with your flow patterns and strength of flow to get it where your corals best appreciate it best.

Agreed. I had two Hydor 850 GPH pumps and thought man I need more flow... Installed an Ice Cap gyre and caused a world of problems. Way too much flow and way too direct. More doesn't always mean better. Sometimes the best flow can be accomplished by inexpensive means. Find the sweet spot and keep it going!

 

[Empress]

I like to turn my power heads, return pipes, and the gyre once a week (about an inch this way; an inch that way). That way all corals get a chance to be in direct flow for a week. And I don't mind doing it. The fish love it too because it helps remove junk from the rocks and sandbed. And they like to eat it (whatever floats up). Yuk.

 

[pelphrey]

Answers will vary... What percentage are you running the gyres? More specifically the 2 you have on the right side of your tank?

 

[hart24601]

There is also a big difference between SPS, LPS, softie and mixed tanks with flow. I found mixed tanks are the hardest to keep because it's really hard to get the flow to keep everyone happy. I spent many hours moving coral to different spots to find the "sweet spot" - not surpringly a bubble coral and a 10" wide birdsnest don't like the same thing. For the current trend with SPS tank and especially acros it seems hard to have too much flow - I mean don't be daft and put them directly in the output 2" away from a powerhead, but if spending the $$$$ on acros and equipment to keep that that should really be common sense.

 

[atoll]

Answers will vary... What percentage are you running the gyres? More specifically the 2 you have on the right side of your tank?

I have 1 gyre 150 on the RH side running 60% the other pump on the RH side is the Tunze 6040 run at 40The other Gyre 150 is on the LH side is also at 60%. The 130 in the rear LH side is on 100% but that is positioned vertically.