Flow question

[bg2095]

Good morning everyone, this is the first time I ever used a 45 gal hex setup before, what would be the best way to create flow for this tank at the bottom, position of the powerhead, etc, thank you so much

 

[saltyphish]

I would move a powerhead down there or place one at the top aimed at an angle blowing down depending on how much more flow you are wanting. Beware of a sand storm though.

 

[bg2095]

I have the baby powerhead at the bottom for more a filtration powerhead, but I was gonna use a regular powerhead at the top pointing down, just wanted to make sure that wouldn't be to much flow

 

[saltyphish]

Depends on corals and their location some coral like low flow. If coral is not a concern then I would give it as much As you can with out blowing sand all over.

 

[bg2095]

Yes it is for corals

 

[bg2095]

I have one Zoa in there who seems happy with the flow on it which isn't much, you can see the little powerhead at the bottom

 

[Reefing Madness]

Minimum flow would be 450gph, I'd use 2 powerheads. Reef tank I'd go with 900gph and up, again using more than one powerhead.

 

[Joshua Cline]

Yes I agree with more than 1 power head. A fellow nano reefer myself I like to place one on the back glass at the top moving water across the surface. It will then hit the front glass and push the water downwards towards the bottom of the tank. Then throw another power head on the side of the tank somewhere (on the bottom if you prefer) to randomize the flow a bit!

 

[Justiful]

If you want a fun DIY project my post below will give some ideas. However it will be a LOT harder then just buying wavemakers.
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Don't know much about aquarium equipment cause I am new to saltwater. But for water flow building a manifold is a good way to get flow from your pump. I would use pex-A piping with a small diameter and good PSI rating.

This will allow you to get high Pressure out of low diameter pipe and not clutter your tank. Then just valves to control water flow in all directions. I would use a hexagon ring, after running the pex down the side of the hexagon, then up the middle of the hexagon 2-3 inches above substrate, blowing up at an angle that won't disturb substrate much. You can hide the ring, you made with some rock aquascaping. adjust the valves as it changes your water flow a bit. PEX pipe has the PSI rating printed right on the pipe. Or you can run it to the bottom center and then take it in 6 direction, rise it from under substrate at the sides about 2-3 inches and attach your valve. Sending a nice flow from all directions, with minimal tank clutter like a wave maker has. Oh and where your pump exists currently put a valve, so you can release excess water flow at the top of the tank, or turn off your manifold and run it normally. Also allows you to create areas of high and low flow in tank by adjusting the valves on each manifold valve. (sorry I know you aquarium guys love automation, this would be a manual system)

I don't know any aquarium places that sell it, but I am sure some do. But here is where you can get it everything online http://www.supplyhouse.com/. You can also go to home depot with a diagram and talk to the plumbing specialist and he can assist you in buying what you need. Good high quality PEX with solid fittings can put out a good distributed flow without 3 pumps stuck to side of your glass. -.0

Blue and red show the two ways I talked about.
Yellow is a representation of current pipe. You will use a T.

Sorry I am no artist.

Edit: Oh forgot to add, you can add triangle type exhaust tips at ends of manifold valves to dissipate flow a bit.

 

[bg2095]

This is very helpful, thank u so much

 

[Wills Gills]

I don't know if a Maxpect Gyre would be too powerful but I would think that one of those would work well.