How much water movement for 200g?

sogdog · Mar 14, 2022

Currently I am using 3 Neptune WAV’s in my 84in x 24in x 24in display. My tank crashed recently so once everything is stable I was going to restock. I haven’t decided on corals, only that I prefer peaceful everything. Anyway, I was wondering what kind of flow I would need to be able to grow all types of corals should I choose to. I basically don’t want to be limited by equipment choices.
I am aware of the reputation the WAV pumps have, so I was not going to install additional of those, and I have a plan/budget to replace them any time they go down with mp40’s (and this budget can be increased as necessary). What would you add if anything to the 3 WAVS, and what would your set up be once the WAV’s go down?

WVNed · Mar 14, 2022

I use 4 MP60s in my 240

blaxsun · Mar 14, 2022

In my 160-gallon display I have a pair of ReefWave45s on either side (facing inwards) and a pair of Maxspect XF330s on either side of the overflow (facing forward). The ReefWaves alternate between 20-50% and the XF330s run at a fixed 10% (they're also on battery backup for emergencies).

Ultra Aquatics · Mar 14, 2022

In my 72x36x28 (280g) I am running 2 x MP60, 2 x MP40 and 2 x Tunze 6085.

sogdog · Mar 14, 2022

So moral of the story is I’m way under powered lol. Okay basically gonna buy 2 mp60 and mp40 to replace the WAV’s down the line

Uncle99 · Mar 14, 2022

I use two Jebao gyre wave makers on each end.
Two Jebao OW-25’s on the back.
180g+50sump+50frag

mindme · Mar 15, 2022

sogdog said:
So moral of the story is I’m way under powered lol. Okay basically gonna buy 2 mp60 and mp40 to replace the WAV’s down the line

I use only 2 MP40's for my 180g, and they run about 70% max.

Adding more power heads doesn't really mean you are getting more or better flow. They are going to work against each other unless you have them pointing in the same direction getting laminar flow. Of course, we point them at each other to get the turbulent flow, try to randomize them to get the same effects etc. Both my MP40's are pointing at each other for that reason. I have them on separate settings so they randomly push against each other. And that's along with my return lines is really plenty of flow. Adding more powerheads isn't really going to add anything to my setup really.

The need for adding more pumps will come when you have more coral and or to eliminate dead spots etc. Especially SPS when they get larger. So put in some base pumps that give you some decent flow, add the others as needed for dead spots and such. Aquascape also is a decent factor, I have NSA so that is also a reason why 2 is plenty.

WVNed · Mar 15, 2022

It seems the length of the tank matters a lot. MP40s did not move water far enough in my 96 inch tank so I got MP60s. I am going to try them again in a new 72 inch I am setting up now. I think they will be fine there. 60s move water pretty good 4 feet and 40s about 3. I may need 2 more though.