Flow

[mmmmmm773]

So i got my little clown finally in his quartintine tank into main tank. I was wondering whats the best flow for him? Since hes small i dont wanna overdo it.

 

[blaxsun]

3-5x tank volume is more than adequate with supplemental flow in the 10-20x range for powerheads.

 

[mmmmmm773]

3-5x tank volume is more than adequate with supplemental flow in the 10-20x range for powerheads.

Yeah i have a uniclife 2100 gph (feels alot more) 2 hydors (about 1300gph), and not sure about my other, im pretty sure it was a 800 gph. My uniclife is on the left on wave mode, 2 hydor on the right, and the 800gph in the middle. Does that sound good?

 

[blaxsun]

Yeah i have a uniclife 2100 gph (feels alot more) 2 hydors (about 1300gph), and not sure about my other, im pretty sure it was a 800 gph. My uniclife is on the left on wave mode, 2 hydor on the right, and the 800gph in the middle. Does that sound good?

I'm trying to remember the size of your tank but drawing a blank (sorry). The numbers I suggested are starting points and with all pumps and wavemakers combined for their respective targets, ie: 3-5x for return, 10-20x for powerheads.

Those that run FOWLR tanks often have more return and powerhead flow to keep the tank cleaner as opposed to mixed reefs.

 

[jda]

You don't need a ton just for a fish. You can turn them down and then ramp them back up as you get some corals and stuff.

My normal thing with flow is that I don't want a lot in between the rocks where the fish can hang with a small amount of effort, but some where the fish have to work a bit out in the open. No sand should be blowing around once the tank is mature enough to have bacteria in the sand to hold it down a bit. The fish should not have to swim so hard that they are skinny and skittish having to dart all over the place.

 

[mmmmmm773]

I'm trying to remember the size of your tank but drawing a blank (sorry). The numbers I suggested are starting points and with all pumps and wavemakers combined for their respective targets, ie: 3-5x for return, 10-20x for powerheads.

Those that run FOWLR tanks often have more return and powerhead flow to keep the tank cleaner as opposed to mixed reefs.

Its 100 gallons, and that makes sense. I got a fx6 right now. In december im gonna get a 20 gallon fiji cube with a 1000-2000gph adjustable return pump. Only 20 gallon is because i only have 21length and 20 width so it fits perfectly.

 

[mmmmmm773]

You don't need a ton just for a fish. You can turn them down and then ramp them back up as you get some corals and stuff.

My normal thing with flow is that I don't want a lot in between the rocks where the fish can hang with a small amount of effort, but some where the fish have to work a bit out in the open. No sand should be blowing around once the tank is mature enough to have bacteria in the sand to hold it down a bit. The fish should not have to swim so hard that they are skinny and skittish having to dart all over the place.

Thats what i do. But all 3 of his nems are in some flow and hes a small little fish yknow. Just want to make sure his little area has good flow for him.

 

[jda]

If those nems are not whipping around so much that they would throw him out like a Bouncer with a handsy Frat Boy, then you all all fine.

 

[mmmmmm773]

If those nems are not whipping around so much that they would throw him out like a Bouncer with a handsy Frat Boy, then you all all fine.

Got it thanks!

 

[sc50964]

You don't need a ton just for a fish. You can turn them down and then ramp them back up as you get some corals and stuff.

My normal thing with flow is that I don't want a lot in between the rocks where the fish can hang with a small amount of effort, but some where the fish have to work a bit out in the open. No sand should be blowing around once the tank is mature enough to have bacteria in the sand to hold it down a bit. The fish should not have to swim so hard that they are skinny and skittish having to dart all over the place.

So for fish only, do you recommend 15x for in tank circulation & 4x as return as a good starting point?

 

[jda]

I am not really a X kind of guy since it can vary so much. You want the water to move to where the fish have to swim a bit, but not look like they are running a 2 hour marathon pace.

The type of flow and position of the pump(s) matters as much as the X number.