Redsea Reefer 250 Flow w/ Acros

[zromano]

Hey all, having some issues with keeping SPS higher up in the tank where my pumps are. I've lost a few acros already and it's beginning to get a bit frustrating. I'll try to target any further issues (i.e. water quality) next but first want to make sure flow is correct.

This is a red sea reefer 250 with about a 20 gallon sump on the bottom, I'm running full Triton method with automatic dosing. I have two AI Nero 5's and one junky little pump that's essentially on the floor of the tank and allows the detritus to get swept up (running almost a full bare bottom here, too).

Here's the AI Nero settings before I just changed them:

I've come to the conclusion that this is way too much flow and have accordingly adjusted my settings so that I'm only using the Pulse mode at 25% for each nero. This equates to anywhere from 900-1400 GPH for each one.

For you flow experts, my questions are below:

1. Where do you place your pumps? I have both of mine on the sides of my tank, higher up towards the top of the water level. Is it better to do middle of the tank instead?
2. Is this too much flow for the tank?

The reason I've drastically lowered my flow is because the new acros that I put into the tank (at the bottom of the tank where the zoas hang out to start) seem to do great, have good PE, etc.

Any help would be great!

 

[Pennywise the Clown]

Maybe a lighting issue rather than a flow issue?
Maybe your acros are getting too much light when you move them up.

 

[zromano]

Maybe a lighting issue rather than a flow issue?
Maybe your acros are getting too much light when you move them up.

That could be it. I have two AI Prime 16’s over the tank so didn’t think that would be that bad but definitely could be too much light and they’re just getting nuked. Is my flow too high? What’s the typical turnover that works best? I try to keep it under 50x. Closer to 40x.

 

[Pennywise the Clown]

I'm by no means an expert but I have an MP40 running Reefcrest at 40% on one side of my Reefer 250 and a TMC Reef Tide (10000 l/h) running in random on the other side.
I would go higher than this but I have a mixed reef and my LPS don't appreciate any more flow.
I doubt 2 Primes are giving you too much light.

 

[Acroalan]

I had two MP40s on my RS 250 and felt they were too much flow even on lower settings, so I switched to two MP10s. Seems to have been a good move, plus I can now use more of the random flow options on the 10s turned up that I couldn't with the 40's turned down.

 

[Long Island Reefer]

The MP10s are running fine on your RSR 250? Im in the market for new pumps but I am getting alot of conflicting information on whether MP10's will work on a 250. @Acroalan

Hows your tank running now @zromano

 

[Reef_in_Denver]

I have 2x xf330's running random mode and 2x mp10s at 100% reef crest in my reefer 250 and SPS are happy. They are getting absolutely blasted and love it.

 

[Jason04]

Maybe your lights aren’t bright enough. Just a suggestion. What happens if you put the lower in the tank at what you are running your lites now?

 

[zromano]

The MP10s are running fine on your RSR 250? Im in the market for new pumps but I am getting alot of conflicting information on whether MP10's will work on a 250. @Acroalan

Hows your tank running now @zromano

I’m running two Nero pumps and love it. Having difficulties with SPS because of parameters but lps and softies do great. Tank is growing a lot of coralline and continuing to do well!

 

[Charlie’s Frags]

I doubt 2 primes will provide enough par for acros to thrive unless you are maxing out all uv, v, blues, and whites. Can you post some pics of the corals?