Powerhead placement / too much flow issue?

[Esears]

Good afternoon, after reading more threads than I think I can count, I figured I'd just ask as it currently stands, I don't remember a lot of what I've read and I have a hard time sometimes applying theory from something else to a specific issue I may have.

I have a Red Sea 350 that I've had up and running since December. My original configuration was the following:

Lights: Came with the Red Sea 350 Deluxe, Hydra 26 HDs (2x)
Powerheads: 2x Tunze 6095
Heater: 1x 200w, 1x150w
Controller: Apex
Skimmer: Reef Octopus 152s-int
Return: Syncra 3.0

I've since changed the Syncra 3.0 out for a Varios 6 as I didn't think I was getting enough return.

I have the return pump feeding a refugium and a carbon reactor coming off the return line with the remainder heading back into the tank. I run it at 60% right now to try and keep changes to a minimum.

My main issue I think is that maybe a pair of 6095s is too much for the tank. I'm having a heck of a time trying to find a way to get them oriented where they aren't either blowing sand everywhere or pushing so much water down into the overflow as to just make the tank noisy as can be. I'm keeping them throttled at maybe 30-40% right now, and can't get them to go much higher without everything in the tank just going crazy.

As the tank is still relatively new, the stock inside is as below:

A couple small colonies of zoas (4-15 polyps a piece)
3 small kenya tree branches
Some mushrooms
A col0ny of green hairy mushrooms
A RBTA
3 ea blue-devil chromies (which wasn't the best advice taken from a LFS)
2 ea B. Cardinals
1 ea Lawnmower blenny
The assorted snails and such that you would expect.

Things are growing, but not as I would expect coral wise. Parameter wise, things are were I would expect them with the exception of PH which ranges from 7.65 - 7.9 depending on the time of day. I run an alternate light schedule in the refugium to try and counteract it, but haven't had too much luck. I've slowly increased the dkph to 9 and am willing to go higher, but I don't see a lot of good guidance on where to be. Calcium is roughly 420-430. I do dose kalkwasser with the ATO.

I was thinking maybe of swapping the 6095s out for a set of somethings ,but I'm not sure. Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[JimmyV]

Have you tried turning the two 6095`s to the lowest output? Then working from there to find the flow that works for your tank. And maybe pointing them up to the surface some to keep the sand from blowing like snow. your ph could be up to 8.2 . I wouldn't go any higher than 9dkh. Your calcium looks good. And watch the kalk in the auto. Just keep track of the ph , kalk can raise it to much if your ato replaces to much at once.

 

[Esears]

Have you tried turning the two 6095`s to the lowest output? Then working from there to find the flow that works for your tank. And maybe pointing them up to the surface some to keep the sand from blowing like snow. your ph could be up to 8.2 . I wouldn't go any higher than 9dkh. Your calcium looks good. And watch the kalk in the auto. Just keep track of the ph , kalk can raise it to much if your ato replaces to much at once.

That is what I've done at the moment. I was thinking it might just be sort of wasteful to have them and not run them at more than 30%. But probably better than running them at 100% all the time and shortening the lifespan.

I've been trying to raise the PH and just can't get it up and I'm not sure why. I was almost hoping to be able to use the ATO/kalk to bring it up slowly, but it doesn't seem to be happening.

 

[JimmyV]

That is what I've done at the moment. I was thinking it might just be sort of wasteful to have them and not run them at more than 30%. But probably better than running them at 100% all the time and shortening the lifespan.

I've been trying to raise the PH and just can't get it up and I'm not sure why. I was almost hoping to be able to use the ATO/kalk to bring it up slowly, but it doesn't seem to be happening.

I dont think its wasteful , better to start out with a low flow your tank and inhabitants can tolerate at the moment. You will need more flow down the road as you fill it with more corals I'm sure. Have you tested your fresh mixed saltwater before doing your water change to see if that is at the right ph.