How to gauge waterflow?

[JL15219]

Like the title says how do I gauge waterflow in different parts of the tank? I read different post and articles that say place corals in low, med, and strong flow. Sometimes I don't know where to place the corals because I don't know where in my tank would be low, med, and strong flow.....sorry still trying to learn.

 

[lapin]

Low flow is like a slight breeze that comes and goes. Not strong enough to blow a napkin off a table.
Med is a bit stronger maybe the napkin blows off the table but maybe not.
High flow is where you can see fish fight the current and will blow the napkins and cups off the table.

 

[JL15219]

Low flow is like a slight breeze that comes and goes. Not strong enough to blow a napkin off a table.
Med is a bit stronger maybe the napkin blows off the table but maybe not.
High flow is where you can see fish fight the current and will blow the napkins and cups off the table.

Those are some nice references...thank you but how do I tell in the tank?

 

[JL15219]

Anyone?

 

[Pico bam]

Those are some nice references...thank you but how do I tell in tank

Lol

 

[saltybees]

Tie a thread to a chop stick and hold it where you want to see the flow

 

[Pico bam]

Its sort of difficult to describe it almost comes with a bit of experience.
Light flow: on the bottom, in the corners, not in the powerheads current
Medium flow: in the middle of your rock work, on top, in direct flow but far away from powerhead.
High Flow. Within about 16 inches of the power head. Possibly further away or in between multiple powerheads

 

[JL15219]

Tie a thread to a chop stick and hold it where you want to see the flow

I actually tried something similar with a lace and my tongs....didnt really work well....maybe the lace was to big....

 

[JL15219]

Its sort of difficult to describe it almost comes with a bit of experience.
Light flow: on the bottom, in the corners, not in the powerheads current
Medium flow: in the middle of your rock work, on top, in direct flow but far away from powerhead.
High Flow. Within about 16 inches of the power head. Possibly further away or in between multiple powerheads

Okay that really helps....for the High Flow you say within about 16 inches of the power head but my tank is only 21 inches front to back and some of that is taken up with AIO part of the tank and I have a nero 3 on that false wall of the AIO part so anything in front of the powerhead (I'm guessing from back wall to front glass) will be High Flow?

 

[Pico bam]

Okay that really helps....for the High Flow you say within about 16 inches of the power head but my tank is only 21 inches front to back and some of that is taken up with AIO part of the tank and I have a nero 3 on that false wall of the AIO part so anything in front of the powerhead (I'm guessing from back wall to front glass) will be High Flow?

Yes, Most likely depending on how high your nero 3 is turned up. Its usually better to start a coral off in lower than recommended flow and move it into higher flow, its easy to give softies and lps to much flow. Sps like alot on the other hand.

And sixteen inches is just kind of a random number. Could be three feet if you have a big enough powerhead.

 

[JL15219]

Yes, Most likely depending on how high your nero 3 is turned up. Its usually better to start a coral off in lower than recommended flow and move it into higher flow, its easy to give softies and lps to much flow. Sps like alot on the other hand.

I actually turned down the Nero from 55% to 20-25% I mainly have zoas and lps...

 

[Pico bam]

I actually turned down the Nero from 55% to 20-25% I mainly have zoas and lps

Yea that sounds about right. Maybe turn it up a bit as the tank and coral mature.

 

[JL15219]

Yea that sounds about right. Maybe turn it up a bit as the tank and coral mature.

So you think me having it 55% was too much? Do I count the return pump flow if Im aiming for something like 30x turnover?

 

[Pico bam]

So you think me having it 55% was too much? Do I count the return pump flow if Im aiming for something like 30x turnover?

Let the coral be the judge. If things are closed up its likely to much flow(or light). If things are buldging open maybe turn it up just a bit like 5-10%. I often upgrade the return pumps in my aio's and don't even need a powerhead. But there always nice especially if you randomize/pulse the flow. And the return pump does count for turnover 30x is perfectly exceptable. And if you get a bit of simple sps put it in direct flow.

 

[Pico bam]

Great questions by the way.

 

[JL15219]

Let the coral be the judge. If things are closed up its likely to much flow(or light). If things are buldging open maybe turn it up just a bit like 5-10%. I often upgrade the return pumps in my aio's and don't even need a powerhead. But there always nice especially if you randomize/pulse the flow. And the return pump does count for turnover 30x is perfectly exceptable. And if you get a bit of simple sps put it in direct flow.

Yeah I actually did upgrade my return pump to a Jebao DCS 2000 which pumps 525 gph and added a Auqa Gadget Spin Stream Nozzle to randomize the flow a bit but not sure if it reduces the flow some....really good information by the way exactly was I was looking for

 

[Pico bam]

Yeah I actually did upgrade my return pump to a Jebao DCS 2000 which pumps 525 gph and added a Auqa Gadget Spin Stream Nozzle to randomize the flow a bit but not sure if it reduces the flow some....really good information by the way exactly was I was looking for

Love the spin stream nozzles!

 

[JL15219]

Love the spin stream nozzles!

In your experience do they reduce flow?

 

[Pico bam]

In your experience do they reduce flow?

They do but not alot, there worth it in my imo.

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

This is how we are going to gauge flow in our new Random Flow Generator Nozzle powered office build.

This was just a test, but the plan is to suspend a number of these streamers throughout the tank to see the flow strength, and patterns.