mp 40 flow question

[saltwaterpicaso]

i am currently redoing my tank and will have just torch corals and various bubble tip species. the tank is a an oceanic 90 tech tank. with the mp40 at each end anti sink. what would be the best percentage to have them ramp up to without everything getting beat up and still keeping the tank clean

 

[Salty1962]

The best way for determining your flow is trial and error. Each tank is different, so it's hard to recommend a specific % setting.

 

[mcarroll]

Totally depends on your rock and sand and the total layout.

The reach on those pumps is about 24"....weak out to about 36". So whatever mode allows the longest run-time bweteen switches to the other pump is what I'd use. Let each much attain its maximum effect before switching, in other words.

As far as how much to turn it up....I use this run of thumb: You should see some sand grains tumble across the bottom, but not many. If it's not at least this strong, then detritus is going to settle quickly - keep a close eye on the sand in the center of the tank and to within the rock-work. That's where the dead zones will be at first (with more when you add corals and even more when they grow out) and detritus most likely to settle.

 

[saltwaterpicaso]

the sand I'm using this time is the caribsea reef floor special so idk if it will blow around at all. on my old tank I had oolite it stayed put pretty good I had them at 50 percent but it seemed like the torches and what not were getting knocked around, I have seen other peoples tanks and there torches are longer and just gently flow I want to achive that look

 

[mcarroll]

I should have added:

This rule of thumb is based on Seaflor Special Grade, which has many grain sizes. Others aren't likely to tumble the same.

 

[saltwaterpicaso]

okay will try it out