flow for sps

KritikaL · Dec 11, 2015

I know sps usually want a lot of flow... but i can create a lot of flow with all of my vortechs on 40 percent.... so is it enough flow or not ?

I have a 72x24x21 ---- 21 being the height.... i have 3 mp40s and 1mp60.

the mp60 is the main flow on the left side of the tank
2 mp40s on the back wall
1 mp40 on the right hand side wall
i have 1 outlet on the left hand side of my tank as well which then runs directly into the mp60s flow.

And what i have found is, when i have my flow really high i find that a lot of particles are in the water, i run filter floss and try and get them out but they are kinda unsightly....

If i run at around 40 percent the particles settle somewhere and every week i remove them with a quick siphon...

So my question is, which is best? more or less flow here?

is it better to keep the particles in the water column or to siphon them out periodically?

Input much appreciated guys!

PS I run full sps, with barebottom tank. nitrates undetectable using salifert phos 0.01 using elos.

Pete polyp · Dec 11, 2015

Bump.... I'm wondering the same since my setup has the ability to turn the tank over 120x/hr

zhuisken · Dec 12, 2015

I'd watch it closely, make sure your not blowing off any tissue but they love flow. For best growth I always fallow the big 3 rule. Flow, water quality, and lighting.

KritikaL · Dec 13, 2015

i understand that, but how much is too much?

ru saying as long as i'm not blowing the tissue off corals its fine?

reefwiser · Dec 13, 2015

I watch the corals they tell me if there is enough flow. I am adding another MP10 in my tank because the right side of the tank is not getting enough flow. Corals not expanding enough and I can see they are struggling compared to the left side of the tank.

trido · Dec 13, 2015

I have four pumps in my 210 at about 70% and for now its enough. As the corals grow in and restrict the flow I'll have to turn it up. Years ago I had 20,000GPH in my display and it wasnt enough. There is no magic number for all SPS tanks. If you have good growth, color and polyp extension your probably doing it right.