flow rate?

cwb_reeftank · Mar 17, 2015

ive asked this before but ive never really got an answer for it but I was wondering if I have enough flow for a SPS tank. I have a 55 gallon tank and I have a hydor koralia evolution 1500 and a hydor koralia evolution 1150. im not sure if that's enough or not

GreatWhiteTang · Mar 18, 2015

Ide say it depends on your rock work and how they are placed. More info & pics

tyler1503 · Mar 18, 2015

That's 48x turnover. Sounds good to me

cwb_reeftank · Mar 18, 2015

I cant post a pic right now but I can on Friday

cwb_reeftank · Mar 18, 2015

ok take that back I didn't think it was going to work sorry haha

GreatWhiteTang · Mar 18, 2015

That should be plenty of flow! I would recommend having the two currents slightly collide as well to create a bit of dynamic flow as well but I would say that's fine.. You can always add more... Now. 2nd question Can your lighting handle sps [emoji14]

cwb_reeftank · Mar 18, 2015

I have 4 t-5 two metal halides and 6 led moon lights its all in one

cwb_reeftank · Mar 18, 2015

but I only have the metal halides come on for an hour because I don't have a chiller but I was told if I raised my light to 10inches I might be able to have them on longer

GreatWhiteTang · Mar 18, 2015

Should do it.. Can always wire computer fans to blow along the surface of the water.. And zoo med makes a water cooler that does basically that and they work surprisingly well.. But yes that should do the trick!

cwb_reeftank · Mar 18, 2015

ok thanks a lot and would nitrates have a big effect on coral death?

GreatWhiteTang · Mar 18, 2015

Depends on corals.. Sps more so but with that said I've. Seen sps. In some pretty horrific water Conditions and with good flow and light still be doing OK.. Depends how. High of trates we are talking, and what specific types of corals.. With that said always strive for good water quality!!

cwb_reeftank · Mar 18, 2015

my nitrates were at 80ppm

GreatWhiteTang · Mar 18, 2015

I would strive to get them down as low as you can first, water changes are worth their weight in gold... It will take a while but with good husbandry and routine maintenance u can do it! How about your phosphates? Have you looked into some form of carbon dosing there are a lot of good guys on the forum have a lot of good info on it. I myself use the bio pellets as my carbon dosing but it requires time and more equipment! But ide def. Look into your options carbon dosing and good skimming go a very long way!!

cwb_reeftank · Mar 18, 2015

I use to do 5 gallon water changes every Friday but now I do 15 gallon water changes every Friday and I have been using the microbater 7 the last time I looked at my phosphates they were at .25 which I need to change out my phosgaurd?

GreatWhiteTang · Mar 18, 2015

cwb_reeftank said:
I use to do 5 gallon water changes every Friday but now I do 15 gallon water changes every Friday and I have been using the microbater 7 the last time I looked at my phosphates they were at .25 which I need to change out my phosgaurd?

I would focus on removing nitrates first.. Especially if you are going to consider carbon dosing.

Bacteria feed on carbon/nitrate/phosphate in a ratio close to 50/10/1.. If you get your phosphates down too low there will not be any way for bacteria to feed in nitrates due to the missing phosphates.

I would look into carbon dosing even if it's temporary, and utilizs it and water changes to lower both nitrate and phosphate. Once both are down very low nitrates under 5 and phosphate under .1 continue your normal routine and media changes