POSSIBLY TOO MUCH FLOW?

[Character85]

Hi all. I just got my first 2 clowns but they are very small about 1 inch. Im worried with my dual Sicce Syncra 4.0 return pumps 3 koralias and a redsea reefwave 25 gyre; that the flow will be way too much for the little guys. I turned the pumps down and pointed koralias at surface and set reefwave to surface wave mode only. Any thoughts?

 

[Character85]

Tank:

RedSea E-260
75 Gal total volume

2 Sicce Syncra pump returns (1200 gph each)
3 Koralia (850gph each)
1 RedSea Reefwave 25 (2000gph set low)

 

[Character85]

This is what they look like swimming with flow rates dialed down including sump returns. Im worried msy still be too much

 

[JoshO]

Are you planning on sps dominant?

 

[Character85]

Not planning on SPS dominant... a few possibly higher up but mainly softies... shrooms, zoas, star polyps all low. Im doing a Caribbean theme. I wanted med-large clowns but got sent very smalls. I can deal cutting flow down now since its lights out for a month or 2 while this tank establishes

 

[JoshO]

Not planning on SPS dominant... a few possibly higher up but mainly softies... shrooms, zoas, star polyps all low. Im doing a Caribbean theme. I wanted med-large clowns but got sent very smalls. I can deal cutting flow down now since its lights out for a month or 2 while this tank establishes

Your turnover level is almost 100x if you have the pumps at full, if you're thinking mainly softies then you would need maybe 1/5 of that. Enough to keep food particulate suspended and moving over the polyps. So you can dial it right back to help the clowns also

 

[Character85]

Copy that. Im gonna remove 1 koralia point the other 2 at the surface and keep the reefwave for surface agitation only for now and see if that helps

 

[JoshO]

Do you have a picture of your display, with views of the Powerheads and return outlets?

 

[Character85]

First 23 and 37 are return pumps... I turned their pumps to lowest flow setting and moved the nozzles into the walls to further reduce

Next one is 22 and those are 2 koralias on left side. Also the return for my HOB fuge

High on the right side is reefwave25 set to surface agitation only

 

[JoshO]

The reefwave would give you fairly good flow on its own, the other Powerheads you could use for making sure there are no deadspots behind or around the rockwork. I would definitely say there is too much flow. You could possibly put RFGs on the returns and not even need the koralias if you've directed them correctly

 

[Character85]

The reefwave would give you fairly good flow on its own, the other Powerheads you could use for making sure there are no deadspots behind or around the rockwork. I would definitely say there is too much flow. You could possibly put RFGs on the returns and not even need the koralias if you've directed them correctly

I do have an alternative. I have 2 additional Sicce Syncra pumps. The ones that come stock on the E-260 are Syncra 4's or 4.5's. The other 2 I have are 3's rated for 750gph opposed to the 1200 from the stock returns. Would that swap be worth it?

 

[JoshO]

I do have an alternative. I have 2 additional Sicce Syncra pumps. The ones that come stock on the E-260 are Syncra 4's or 4.5's. The other 2 I have are 3's rated for 750gph opposed to the 1200 from the stock returns. Would that swap be worth it?

It would be your personal preference. As long as the flow is reduced quite drastically then it should be fine! Just make sure which ever method you choose ensures you don't have deadspots!

 

[Character85]

It would be your personal preference. As long as the flow is reduced quite drastically then it should be fine! Just make sure which ever method you choose ensures you don't have deadspots!

Thanks for advice. I changed out the pumps and have much less flow. They arent struggling much at all to swim. At least now they are able to keep pace with current. I will look into buying some Y connectors to disperse flow further. Any better types than the Y joints you would reccomend?

 

[JoshO]

Random flow generators would be a brilliant investment. Have a look into them. Vivid creative Aquatics have the suggested flow rate for them on their site to give you an idea of what you'd need too!

 

[Character85]

Random flow generators would be a brilliant investment. Have a look into them. Vivid creative Aquatics have the suggested flow rate for them on their site to give you an idea of what you'd need too!

Yes I purchased a whole kit for my 2 returns yesterday. Thank you!

 

[45ZoaGarden]

I would get rid of the korillas. That’s a bit overkill imo.

 

[BighohoReef]

You have a lot of flow in there removing the Korrilia and running one gyre will help. I run two tires (XF330/XF350) in my 4ft 100g both are placed on opposite ends of the tank for opposing on/off flow at 60-70% anything higher and the return current is to strong for my clowns I also run an MP10 at the back bottom (40%) and returns facing forward. I'd give the gyres a go at the top and put a smaller pump at the bottom back to help with the return current. Just some thoughts, let us know how it works out.

 

[Spieg]

I'd remove one of the return pumps and save it for a backup.

 

[JoshO]

I'd remove one of the return pumps and save it for a backup.

Running 2 simultaneously at half speed is a much safer option as it's unlikely that both will fail at the same time. It gives a good level of safety that you will still be turning over water through your filtration

 

[Spieg]

Even at half speed, that's still about double the water turnover needed for that tank size. Maybe run both at 1/4 speed?