Dr. Reef
www.drreefsquarantinedfish.com
Fellow Reefers.
This subject is brought up a lot in newbie section time and time again. There is no universal answer to these questions as many variables due to tank sizes, depth and heights and light fixtures used.
I will try to explain what I know over many yrs of keeping reef tanks.
Flow through sump:
Flow through the sump should be 5-15 times the volume of ur entire water body in an hour. This number has a lot of variables as well. This number depends on ur return pump and drain capacity along with what type of corals need to be kept in the reef.
Flow inside the Main Tank:
Flow of water inside the main tank matters as to which rate we try to grow a healthy reef. Flow consists of only water inside the main tank. Flow inside refers to capacity of return pump after head loss, closed loops capabilities and power heads used.
All these add up to make the flow inside the reef. Flow should be random not straight. meaning: directing the flow in a way that it either bounces off the walls or smashes against each others waves etc. causing a turbulence rather than a straight line of water wave.
A good estimate to shoot for is as follows:
Combined gallons per hour (gph) in a
Fish only Tank: 5-15 times the volume
Fish with soft corals: 15-20 times
Fish with soft and lps and sps: 20-30 times
Sps dominated: 45 times and up.
for example: 120gal tank with a return pump (mag 12) no close loop 2 maxi jets 1600gph
This tank has 800gph from mag 12 after head loss plus 2x 1600gph=3600
so a total of 4400 gph.
This example Tank is producing 36 times the flow thus putting is suitable for mixed reef maybe pushing few hardy sps corals. in order to get into the sps dominated status this tank will need another source of flow increasing it from 36 time to over 45 times.
Lights in a reef tank:
Lights have taken a new turn towards LEDS and they are getting cheap and more reliable than ever. Still a new technology but has already reached most reefers tanks.
Best policy to acclimate ur new arrivals to LED is to either:
1. Place them on the sand bed for 1 week then move them few inches up every week till u reach the final resting point. or
2. Decrease the lights to 30% and increase 1-3% per week till u reach the final intensity u prefer.
LED lights are best measured by PAR meter and I will give u a safe PAR rating to shoot for so u can grow ur corals happily.
Soft corals PAR: 150-250
LPS: 200-300
SPS: 250-400 plus
Again there are many variables in every tank and each tank is different. These guidelines are just a basic to consider in order to achieve a healthy flourishing reef. Please use ur own common sense and knowledge or ask here at RC and someone can help you in ur particular tank.
Good Luck and
Happy & Safe Reefing.
Thanks
Mike
The Reef Doctor.
Note: if i made a mistake or if u like to add on to something i missed please feel free to do so as the intended purpose is to educate the newbies.
This subject is brought up a lot in newbie section time and time again. There is no universal answer to these questions as many variables due to tank sizes, depth and heights and light fixtures used.
I will try to explain what I know over many yrs of keeping reef tanks.
Flow through sump:
Flow through the sump should be 5-15 times the volume of ur entire water body in an hour. This number has a lot of variables as well. This number depends on ur return pump and drain capacity along with what type of corals need to be kept in the reef.
Flow inside the Main Tank:
Flow of water inside the main tank matters as to which rate we try to grow a healthy reef. Flow consists of only water inside the main tank. Flow inside refers to capacity of return pump after head loss, closed loops capabilities and power heads used.
All these add up to make the flow inside the reef. Flow should be random not straight. meaning: directing the flow in a way that it either bounces off the walls or smashes against each others waves etc. causing a turbulence rather than a straight line of water wave.
A good estimate to shoot for is as follows:
Combined gallons per hour (gph) in a
Fish only Tank: 5-15 times the volume
Fish with soft corals: 15-20 times
Fish with soft and lps and sps: 20-30 times
Sps dominated: 45 times and up.
for example: 120gal tank with a return pump (mag 12) no close loop 2 maxi jets 1600gph
This tank has 800gph from mag 12 after head loss plus 2x 1600gph=3600
so a total of 4400 gph.
This example Tank is producing 36 times the flow thus putting is suitable for mixed reef maybe pushing few hardy sps corals. in order to get into the sps dominated status this tank will need another source of flow increasing it from 36 time to over 45 times.
Lights in a reef tank:
Lights have taken a new turn towards LEDS and they are getting cheap and more reliable than ever. Still a new technology but has already reached most reefers tanks.
Best policy to acclimate ur new arrivals to LED is to either:
1. Place them on the sand bed for 1 week then move them few inches up every week till u reach the final resting point. or
2. Decrease the lights to 30% and increase 1-3% per week till u reach the final intensity u prefer.
LED lights are best measured by PAR meter and I will give u a safe PAR rating to shoot for so u can grow ur corals happily.
Soft corals PAR: 150-250
LPS: 200-300
SPS: 250-400 plus
Again there are many variables in every tank and each tank is different. These guidelines are just a basic to consider in order to achieve a healthy flourishing reef. Please use ur own common sense and knowledge or ask here at RC and someone can help you in ur particular tank.
Good Luck and
Happy & Safe Reefing.
Thanks
Mike
The Reef Doctor.
Note: if i made a mistake or if u like to add on to something i missed please feel free to do so as the intended purpose is to educate the newbies.
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