Flow in SPS Tank
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Fishfinder
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No
Backreefing
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Yes
You could literally blow the flesh off the coral
Sps need fast currents back and forth is better. Turbulent flow 40-50 GPH per gallon is a good start
Happy reefing
You could literally blow the flesh off the coral
Sps need fast currents back and forth is better. Turbulent flow 40-50 GPH per gallon is a good start
Happy reefing
OP
OP
xabo
Valuable Member
Kinda thought so..........
Fishfinder
2500 Club Member
No, but you’d be better off with 4 MP40 than 2 MP60
StevePhx
Active Member
I have 4 MP40s on my on my RSR 525 5” tank.
I run 75% to 100% on Reef Crest on all of them.
My sps do very well. Just place so not blowing on any colonies. I try and go above or below colonies.
I run 75% to 100% on Reef Crest on all of them.
My sps do very well. Just place so not blowing on any colonies. I try and go above or below colonies.
Wildcats1023
Active Member
I have 2 WAV and an Icecap 3k on my 220. I originally had 2 icecaps. I replaced one icecap with the 2 wav's and I have better PE than I've ever had
markalot
Comic Relief
Depends on the acro, they are not all from the same area. My hairy horrida grows into pump flow, and doesn't lose much skin. Slimer is also stag like but easily loses skin in higher flow. The trick is to get good flow all over the tank without dead spots. Whatever it takes to do that is key.
tdileo
Valuable Member
This.
Two MP10s is better than a single MP40, and so on. With 4 MP60s on a 220, you definitely want to be using Random or Reef Crest (at least from my experience). I would also suggest having them located in different areas so that nothing is directly hit and you avoid dead spots anywhere, although this is usually more difficult if you have sand and don’t want a constant sandstorm.
AdamNC
Lawnmower Blenny says nom nom
I’m a believer in more random flow is better. I run 2 MP40s in a 40br and using a WXM I change the flow patterns every few hours. I prefer using oversized pumps so I’m not maxing them out and they are more quite since they are not running at max speed.
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Sod Buster
Valuable Member
I mentioned an old trick of string or butcher twine or girls bike streamer tied to a plastic rod to see the flow in the tank earlier today in a thread. It was also stated an air stone under the powerhead works, but I have 3 and like to watch the twine dance around.
pdiehm
Valuable Member
I have a pair of mp40's facing each other. Every 6 hours, they alternate between constant 50% and reef crest 50%. The back wall has an MP40 on constant at 75% about 4" from the bottom..
I question whether that's enough flow, and I'm repeatedly told...that's plenty.
I question whether that's enough flow, and I'm repeatedly told...that's plenty.
SeaDweller
2500 Club Member
I have 6 Tunze (2x 6105, 2x 6095, 2x6015) and a 250 Gyre on my 8’ 240, plus eductors as return nozzles. I had Vivid RFG but they’re so weak. I thought it was too much flow, but everything loves them (maybe except my fish)
The Tunzes run at 100%, in wave mode or whatever and the Gyre is in gyre mode at 60%.
The Tunzes run at 100%, in wave mode or whatever and the Gyre is in gyre mode at 60%.
Yes, you can have too much. Once you have a competent amount, then any more does not seem to do anything other than for measuring the size of your unit on a message board. Don't get me wrong, flow is important and you need a competent amount. The corals can grow thin, wispy and even look like the tissue is ready to peel off. Linear flow is the worst. Constantly volatile is best including a real wavebox.
On my 8 foot 240, I just have a pair of 6100 Tunze and Wavebox along with a return. That is it.
On my 8 foot 240, I just have a pair of 6100 Tunze and Wavebox along with a return. That is it.
MnFish1
10K Club member
I agree with you - but you're using vague terms. 'competent amount', 'constantly volatile'. for the average person what does that mean? To me it means that as much flow as you can put in your tank which is not directed directly onto corals themselves constantly is fine. When the surf hits the reef - I guarantee it is far higher than any pumps we have in our tank. I think (I think you agree). that it's the variability and turbulent nature thats important as compared to the actual volume/flow or?
Backreefing
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IMO once the polyps are dancing around your good. maybe some overall circulation on top of that to keep ditritis from settling around the aquarium, is all that is needed .
BTW a member on this board did blow the fleash off of there coral so....
Happy reefing !
Only a wavebox gets even close to nature and it is not really even that close... it at least washes the whole volume of water in between every branch all of the time.
For the most part, if you are blowing sand around, you can back off your flow a bit.
For the most part, if you are blowing sand around, you can back off your flow a bit.
MnFish1
10K Club member
As I said - its possible- if you direct a constant flow pump directly at a coral it will cause a problem. IMHO - you can have almost as much 'turbulent flow' - and it will not cause a problem. The thought that 40 gph is 'enough' - depends on where the flow is aimed, the size of the tank. -and the variability of the flow.
Does anyone thing MP60s match this:?
