Flow in a 90g

garcia64 · Dec 16, 2015

So I have a mixed reef lps heavy and currently have two RW-4 I was wandering if this will be enough or do I need more flow. I want to get mor sps. And if I need more would a mp10 work or maybe even a grye on one side and RW-4 on other

Wolff92 · Dec 16, 2015

I have a mixed 70 gallon reef tank but it is primarily SPS. I have 20 or so colonies. I reccomend that you have at least 60x gph than your tank volume. So for my 70 gallon I would need at least 3600gph. This is for me at least the minimum. So i have an mp40 which is turned on gyre mode at 100% which equals 4500gph. Additionally I have to other pumps mounted on the back of my aquarium. One 800gph and one 1200 gph equalling a total of 6500 gph. Almost 100x gph proportionate to my water volume. For your tank I would shoot for at least 8000gph because the larger the tank the more exponential the flow needed becomes. Here is a picture of my tank

garcia64 · Dec 16, 2015

Very beautiful

Wolff92 · Dec 16, 2015

Thank you!! And best of luck to you. Also check out the Gyre pumps I have a few buddies that love them.

garcia64 · Dec 16, 2015

Could I put a grye xf150 on one side and the 2xRW-4 on the other

garcia64 · Dec 16, 2015

A buddy is willing to sell a RW-20 for cheap would this be another good option

DMan · Dec 18, 2015

I run two mp40s on a 90g but only at a max of 70%. And when using the different modes there is generally never a point when both pumps are putting out the full 70%. With the amount of coral I have I don't need them at full. But as the corals grow and I add more the need for more flow will eventually come. It won't really matter if they are sps or lps, the more barriers there are the more dead spots (no flow)will occur throughout the tank. You won't need 8000gph right now but you may in the future. I think if you've got at least half that to start you are good.

saltyfilmfolks · Dec 18, 2015

My $o.02 I kinda take on overall look at the tank and scape. Yea get a head that will push enough water for the size of the tank. But once you have those set the flow to the optimum of the tank size shape and scape.
You will have spots of higher turbulence in some spots and get that as even as possible depending on your coral preference SPS ZOA etc and lower more laminar in others And thats actually really ok. IMO because you will have corals that prefer that.
Set the turb first. Use the surge second. I say that because theres 3 types of flow. Turb Laminar and surge. Surge is a great way to fill in dead spots and spots that are too laminar.(surge is a good cleaner)

The actual benefit of this is youll be able to BUY MORE CORAL!!!! And put them in the spots of flow they prefer as now you have a wide selection of flow to offer.
I have a brain coral that only likes laminer flow at its back. Like a dummy I tridet to get it "Good" turb Flow. When i gave up sat in the only open spot(lam at its back) the PE was amazing. Growth too.

And as I sit and SLOOOOwly fight flow in my new 30 cube. Tiny adjustments, waiting and tiny adjustments are key. Thats why I set surge last too. Its a bonus of new tek.
My 55dt has a mj1200 on a timer that is my storm surge.
Keep jets in mind too. Hydors and such are big wide blasts(mass water movement) and if you shoot a jet into that it works pretty well to create turb, also esp behind rock. (think pointing finger into hose).
I wish they had better DC jets personally for better surge and adjust-ability.
Rant done. Back to tank.

saltyfilmfolks · Dec 18, 2015

garcia64 said:
So I have a mixed reef lps heavy and currently have two RW-4 I was wandering if this will be enough or do I need more flow. I want to get mor sps. And if I need more would a mp10 work or maybe even a grye on one side and RW-4 on other

Can you put more tank size and shape info for more accurate GPH recommendations.