Flow for 15 gallon

[wba19]

I had a question about the power head I have in my tank and if it’s producing enough flow for my 15 gallon tank. I have a powerhead with double outlet. It’s an 8w 135 GPH and a Fluval AC50 filter. I’ve been reading about how the flow should be 10x the size of the tank. Should I upgrade and get a higher GPH power head? I plan on getting a clown when my fishless cycle is over and maybe an anemone down the line when the tank matures.

 

[tbrown]

That 10x is usually used as a generalization. Different corals need different flow. Also, you want a "random" flow, meaning more than 1 powerhead hitting each other or a wave maker that ramps up and down or moves side to side or up and down.

Some corals require more flow while others require calmer water with a gentler flow pattern.

 

[Fish Fan]

I had a question about the power head I have in my tank and if it’s producing enough flow for my 15 gallon tank. I have a powerhead with double outlet. It’s an 8w 135 GPH and a Fluval AC50 filter. I’ve been reading about how the flow should be 10x the size of the tank. Should I upgrade and get a higher GPH power head? I plan on getting a clown when my fishless cycle is over and maybe an anemone down the line when the tank matures.

Hello! Your Fluval/AquaClear 50 Hang On Back (HOB) filter you have on your 15 gallon tank is a nice filter. If you do a search, there are many mods you can do to increase the efficiency of that filter.

That 10x turn over you read about is a very general number. Please don't get too hung up on it right now.

Corals tend to need very specific, and often very high flow, but not so much for fish, at least not for Clownfish. If your goal is a couple of Clownfish, and maybe down the road when your tank is mature and stable, an anemone, you don't need super high flow.

You can start your tank with your Fluval/AquaClear filter, and you can house a Clownfish or two. Just take things slowly, and build your tank and system as your budget allows.

Best of luck with your build!

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Personally I would say not enough flow, not even reaching 10x minimum turnover. My own 15 gallon has 2 sicce voyager nano's, which are 530 gph each (so 1060 gph total) plus a hob filter. My 15 gallon is a softie tank, mostly zoa's and mushrooms..... 2 powerheads are always better than 1, to achieve random flow patterns.

Flow is good for corals. More flow also pushes more water into the filtration system for cleaning. Nuisance algae generally has a hard time to grow in flowy area's. Don't underestimate the importance of flow.......