Flow

henryhahn · Sep 22, 2016

I currently have a 55 gallon with a ocellaris clown, a goby firefish and some inverts.
The tank runs on a Aquatop CF400UV 4-Stage Canister Filter. So there is very little flow in the tank
I do hope to someday add an anemone as well as other fish.
I would like to up te flow in the tank with these things in mind. I was thinking of adding this water pump to my system. Some reviews indicate it would be okay while others say it would be too much. Any ideas?

Evan West · Sep 22, 2016

Well first typically the rule of thumb seems to be at LEST 10x turn over so you would want at least 550gph turn over but chances are you will want more than that and you are gonna want more than one source of this flow to avoid dead spots and especially if this is a reef tank. Next and to be honest I would invest a little more into the pumps if you can, that pump has good reviews for the most part but there are a decent amount that say "quit working after 2-3 months" if you have the budget 2 of these in the 240 (low end of flow) variant or 425 (higher end of flow) variant would be a better choice IMO while still being budget friendly.

https://www.amazon.com/Hydor-Koralia-Nano-Aquarium-Circulation/dp/B0036S70ZG/ref=sr_1_7?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1474573952&sr=1-7&keywords=power+head&refinements=p_72:2661618011

Someone with more experience tho should chime in on exactly how much flow #reefsquad.

saltyfilmfolks · Sep 22, 2016

Yea those are too big. The little 500gph sun sun are what you want in the price range.
I tried those 800's in my 55g standard.
Youll probably end up with three of the 500's, but get 4. they fail kinda quick sometimes.

Heres a thing. when you get them take them apart and in the rubber bushings, spit in them.

they're pretty loud till they break in.(sometimes they just stop). And that's the only reef safe powerhead lube i could find

The next step up it the jebao dc heads. probably the wp10's. $35 or so each on shmebay. The wp 25's are just a bit too much.

The koralias are the next price step up from there, the 420's would be perfect.

and fwiw. keep the canister clean. imo. the media is fine for extra bacterial but keep the sponges clean and you'll be ready for corals and nems soon.

Delta1389 · Sep 22, 2016

I wouldn't personally call an 800 gph power head to big for a 55. In fact I'd call it a bit small. I have two gen 3 koralia 1350's and an older koralia 1 (425 gph) in my 29 and they do great. I have little to no dead spots and everything stays nice and suspended for the skimmer to pick up.

saltyfilmfolks · Sep 22, 2016

Delta1389 said:
I wouldn't personally call an 800 gph power head to big for a 55. In fact I'd call it a bit small. I have two gen 3 koralia 1350's and an older koralia 1 (425 gph) in my 29 and they do great. I have little to no dead spots and everything stays nice and suspended for the skimmer to pick up.

I agree. But those are.....well ummmm, how do I say it.........
The maxi jet 1200 gph I replaced it with worked a lot better. And the 2 mp25 I have now are 800 to 2000 gph.
its not the marked gph with these.

mcarroll · Sep 22, 2016

henryhahn said:
I currently have a 55 gallon with a ocellaris clown, a goby firefish and some inverts.
The tank runs on a Aquatop CF400UV 4-Stage Canister Filter. So there is very little flow in the tank
I do hope to someday add an anemone as well as other fish.
I would like to up te flow in the tank with these things in mind. I was thinking of adding this water pump to my system. Some reviews indicate it would be okay while others say it would be too much. Any ideas?

Funny. Those are clones of the original Gen 1 Koralias. (Minus the nice Hydor magnet mounts....those suction cups are likely to stop working after a short time.)

Delta1389 · Sep 22, 2016

I refuse to use a powerhead that doesn't use magnet mounts.

Evan West · Sep 22, 2016

Delta1389 said:
I refuse to use a powerhead that doesn't use magnet mounts.

The only way I would trust it is if I silicone the suction cup to the glass......but then you cant move it so magnet mount FTW

mcarroll · Sep 22, 2016

Evan West said:
The only way I would trust it is if I silicone the suction cup to the glass

Silicone the pump to the glass and it'll be just as adjustable as a Vortech!

Evan West · Sep 22, 2016

mcarroll said:
Silicone the pump to the glass and it'll be just as adjustable as a Vortech!

Bahahahahaha, at least im not the only one to notice that flaw!

saltyfilmfolks · Sep 23, 2016

I have one of the 500's in my 30 cube right now because one of the jeabo wp 10 died. Works fine. you have to clean the algae off the glass before ya stick it and you use a little more spit. Its easier rhen an Mj thats for sure.
I own 4 of these, i have a set I keep as backup for my dip station and in case of emergency or projects..

henryhahn · Sep 23, 2016

So the original is a cheaper brand that is likely to fail, but this one is a better version, and I should invest in more than 1?

saltyfilmfolks · Sep 23, 2016

henryhahn said:
So the original is a cheaper brand that is likely to fail, but this one is a better version, and I should invest in more than 1?

same PH in the link.

henryhahn · Sep 24, 2016

saltyfilmfolks said:
same PH in the link.

Thank you, @saltyfilmfolks , gotta love the fumble fingers....
This is the link I intended.

saltyfilmfolks · Sep 24, 2016

Dang thats a good price. Yes and probably 3 .

its not a bad idea to go piecemeal and avoid some sticker shock at register. Get a good one and a couple cheap ones and replace them as you can. In know your shopping for lights too,

:mad

_O

These I still have and love having them in my reefers tool box.
https://www.amazon.com/SunSun-JVP-1...1474734882&sr=1-1&keywords=sun+sun+wave+maker