Is this too much flow?

[bookeey517]

My tank is 30 gallons and I just got a power head rated for 480 GPH (16x30) .
My fish are acting like they are being put through hurricane Katrina and my sand is blowing all over the place, even my green star polyp closed up!

please look at the video and tell me if this is too much:

(don’t mind my chair it is older than I am)

 

[olonmv]

Sand blowing all over the place is a good indicator of too much flow. Have you tried placing powerhead opposite of return?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

not too much flow at all, in fact, its only about 15x the turnover, which is low. Play around with the powerhead so its not blowing sand. The sand will pack down over time anyway, only in the beginning it gets blown around.

I have 2 gyres in my 32 gallon, the water turnover is about 50x turnover, and I have fine sand, nothing gets blown around.

 

[bookeey517]

not too much flow at all, in fact, its only about 15x the turnover, which is low. Play around with the powerhead so its not blowing sand. The sand will pack down over time anyway, only in the beginning it gets blown around.

I have 2 gyres in my 32 gallon, the water turnover is about 50x turnover, and I have fine sand, nothing gets blown around.

Does this look to be enough flow for the GSP? It’s still closed up from when I first put the power head in.

 

[KQuillan]

I see what you are trying to accomplish, but it looks like a bit much to me too.

 

[dedragon]

It does look a little high given the video but is probably due to powerhead and hob filter placement. Try bringing the powerhead down further and point it so that it counters the current from the hob filter. It would also help to know what model powerhead to see if it has a pulse setting or reefcrest etc.

 

[olonmv]

Does this look to be enough flow for the GSP? It’s still closed up from when I first put the power head in.

I’m still leaning towards too much flow. GSP sometimes is moody and won’t open up for days. You may be just fine with the return you have. You may even be able to put a random flow generator at the return and be good with just that.

 

[nuxx Verified Sponsor]

Besides the benefit of being programable, DC powerheads are very nice because you can adjust the power.

If yours isn't adjustable, maybe look into it? But yeah it's not too much flow.

 

[bookeey517]

not too much flow at all, in fact, its only about 15x the turnover, which is low. Play around with the powerhead so its not blowing sand. The sand will pack down over time anyway, only in the beginning it gets blown around.

I have 2 gyres in my 32 gallon, the water turnover is about 50x turnover, and I have fine sand, nothing gets blown around.

It does look a little high given the video but is probably due to powerhead and hob filter placement. Try bringing the powerhead down further and point it so that it counters the current from the hob filter. It would also help to know what model powerhead to see if it has a pulse setting or reefcrest etc.

The one I ordered was the aquaneat 480 GPH, but the one they sent me is obviously a lot different. It’s way more powerful than 480 GPH and it looks completely different.
I tried pointing my canister filter output (which is on the other side of the tank from the power head) in the other direction of the power head so I get a circular water flow type of thing going.
I also put the power head lower in the tank, which looks to make less surface agitation, but delivers the GSP more flow.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

it looks like a lot of flow on the right, but the left side has hardly any flow under the powerhead aimed upward. I would take the powerhead on the right side and put it on the side of the tank (facing the other one) and bounce the flow around so that the left side gets some movement.

I think the rock covers the gsp a little, the algae on the gsp frag barely moves. Honesly, my gsp whips around like crazy, so its hard for me to think flow is the problem.

Turn off the flow and see if the polyps open up, but I think something is off on your tank. The sand is too white and too much algae on the rocks.

 

[bookeey517]

it looks like a lot of flow on the right, but the left side has hardly any flow under the powerhead aimed upward. I would take the powerhead on the right side and put it on the side of the tank (facing the other one) and bounce the flow around so that the left side gets some movement.

I think the rock covers the gsp a little, the algae on the gsp frag barely moves. Honesly, my gsp whips around like crazy, so its hard for me to think flow is the problem.

Turn off the flow and see if the polyps open up, but I think something is off on your tank. The sand is too white and too much algae on the rocks.

I put the power head on the left side, flowing towards the filter input. I think this is the right spot as the flow bounces off the other side of the tank and hits the GSP a little.

the hair algae is due to a nitrate problem (i have https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/tunze-comline-doc-skimmer-9004.html on the way, I also am adding phosgaurd). And the clean sand is due to my diamond goby and snails +the sheer amount of sand my power head just upturned.

 

[14 foot reef]

I think that flow will be needed as the tank matures, but could be a little excessive now.

My bigger concern would be the green hair algae. Get that under control now with manual removal.
That is going to be the challenge in your successful reef, not too much flow.

 

[dedragon]

What are your nitrates and phosphates at? I find it more important to control input and output using water changes and less feedings than using things that absorb phosphate. Skimmer isnt a bad idea though

 

[bookeey517]

I think that flow will be needed as the tank matures, but could be a little excessive now.

My bigger concern would be the green hair algae. Get that under control now with manual removal.
That is going to be the challenge in your successful reef, not too much flow.

I toothbrushed all of the hair algae and it unveiled a slight tint of red over some of my rocks, and it didn’t come of no matter how hard I brushed. Are my rocks mad or sunburnt? I’ll send a picture as soon my tank clears up

 

[14 foot reef]

I toothbrushed all of the hair algae and it unveiled a slight tint of red over some of my rocks, and it didn’t come of no matter how hard I brushed. Are my rocks mad or sunburnt? I’ll send a picture as soon my tank clears up

Have you read many books on reef keeping or watched any accredited videos online from some of the mentors in our hobby ?
Authors of books that come to mind, Bob Fenner, Anthony Calfo, Mike Palleta.
Online Videos - Lou Ekus, BRSTV ( 52 weeks of reefing ) Reefdudes, Melev's reef.

Look into these publications and videos for a great source of information.

 

[bookeey517]

Have you read many books on reef keeping or watched any accredited videos online from some of the mentors in our hobby ?
Authors of books that come to mind, Bob Fenner, Anthony Calfo, Mike Palleta.
Online Videos - Lou Ekus, BRSTV ( 52 weeks of reefing ) Reefdudes, Melev's reef.

Look into these publications and videos for a great source of information.

I’ve watched tons of videos and my LFS owner gave me a good rundown.
My initial thoughts were that the red tint was Cyanobacteria, but they usually come in patches of red, not one big mat of a barely noticeable tint of red.

 

[bookeey517]

Have you read many books on reef keeping or watched any accredited videos online from some of the mentors in our hobby ?
Authors of books that come to mind, Bob Fenner, Anthony Calfo, Mike Palleta.
Online Videos - Lou Ekus, BRSTV ( 52 weeks of reefing ) Reefdudes, Melev's reef.

Look into these publications and videos for a great source of information.

 

[bookeey517]

I’ve watched tons of videos and my LFS owner gave me a good rundown.
My initial thoughts were that the red tint was Cyanobacteria, but they usually come in patches of red, not one big mat of a barely noticeable tint of red.

Ive also had the tank for about a year now as just fish and live rocks, but I’m moving on to reef now.

 

[14 foot reef]

Ive also had the tank for about a year now as just fish and live rocks, but I’m moving on to reef now.

Great !!!! Keep reading and watching but try to pic one mentor & one path to follow, bouncing around and trying a little of thhis and a little of that, usually doesnt work out in the end. Start testing Calcium Alkalinty and magnesium once a week at least. Dont start adding coral until hair algae is gone and is replaced by coralline algae. Be patient.
You are looking for this as a baseline to focus on.
Salinty 1.026
Calcium 450
Alkalinity 8-9.5 ( Consistency is more important than the actual number itself )
Magnesium 1325 - 1400
Temp 76-79 ( consistency again is the key, pick a number and stay there )
pH 8.1 -8.3 ( Consistency again is the key )

Good luck and please keep us all posted on your success and failures, the forum will get you to the place you want to be.

 

[jabberwock]

Point it at a corner to send it in more than one direction.