TO FLOW OR NOT TO FLOW - HELP REQUESTED

Oceanwave45 · Aug 27, 2017

I have a question regarding flow.. I have made a digram illustrating my flow. I hope the helps to answer my question.

Do I have my powerhead in the right spot, and do I have too much flow.

Power head one
600 GPH - Attached to the Top back of the tank and pointed towards the front glass

Power head two
600 GPH - Attached to the Top back of the tank and pointed down towards the rock

Power head three
1280 GPH - Attached to the top side, and pointed left - long ways

If someone can let me know if this is correct or if I should move them, that would be great!

Thanks everyone for your help!

Andrew

CORRECTION - ITS A BOW FRONT TANK, and NOT A DOWN FRONT TANK - SORRY!

Robink · Aug 27, 2017

No expert here but I think you have too much flow for that tank.
38 gallon tank? I believe you should have 10 to 20 times per gallon flow. So 380 gph up to 760 gph. You have 2480 gph.
I would also maybe get a wavemaker to control 2 of those pumps so you have opposing current.
In my tank I have a pump on the side in the center (aimed long ways) and the 2 other pumps I have are place towards the back,still on the sides pointed up and at an angle towards the front glass. These 2 pumps are on a wavemaker and go on and off alternately. And you should include your return pump in that equation also.
I'm sure some experts will chime in shortly.

Oceanwave45 · Aug 27, 2017

Robink said:
No expert here but I think you have too much flow for that tank.
38 gallon tank? I believe you should have 10 to 20 times per gallon flow. So 380 gph up to 760 gph. You have 2480 gph.
I would also maybe get a wavemaker to control 2 of those pumps so you have opposing current.
In my tank I have a pump on the side in the center (aimed long ways) and the 2 other pumps I have are place towards the back,still on the sides pointed up and at an angle towards the front glass. These 2 pumps are on a wavemaker and go on and off alternately. And you should include your return pump in that equation also.
I'm sure some experts will chime in shortly.

I just watched a video and they say it should be 30 - 50 times your tank size. So at 50x that would be 1900 gallons per hour

I just changed on of the power heads to a wave maker - It make a wave every 7 seconds

Oceanwave45 · Aug 27, 2017

Maybe the #reefsquad may know - is seeing too many conflicting reports of amount and placement

redfishbluefish · Aug 27, 2017

I'd suggest you watch THIS video by Dana Riddle that talks about flow (and other things). I'm of the believe that there can't be too much flow (unless you're kicking up sand).

Your diagram doesn't show how high your rocks are in comparison to the powerheads, so not too sure about those placements. You don't want to be blowing water directly up against the rock. I'd also like to see flow across the front of your rock structure.

Here's my five foot 90 gallon tank with four MP40's and one MP 10....note that the back-wall powerheads are not "hidden" by the rockwork:

Oceanwave45 · Aug 27, 2017

Here is a picture of mine - does this help??

redfishbluefish · Aug 27, 2017

That's better!

I'd move them all down. The one on the right side wall, I'm surprised that's now drawing in air, it's so close to the surface. I'd lower that down as well and bring it towards the front of the tank so that the front rock receives side flow....assuming it's not kicking up sand. Can't tell if you're sand-less or with black sand???

Oceanwave45 · Aug 28, 2017

redfishbluefish said:
That's better!

I'd move them all down. The one on the right side wall, I'm surprised that's now drawing in air, it's so close to the surface. I'd lower that down as well and bring it towards the front of the tank so that the front rock receives side flow....assuming it's not kicking up sand. Can't tell if you're sand-less or with black sand???

Black sand !!!