Too Many Pumps? Am I Crazy?

[LobsterOfJustice]

When I moved my current pumps to the bottom-rear of both side panes of glass, I had them pointing toward each other. The wide flow pattern caused by the VorTech pumps was enough to keep all of the detritus suspended that was in the rear because some of the flow hit the overflow box and created vortices there. Adding a couple of pumps there will absolutely keep that detritus suspended.

Regardless of what modes I have the pumps programmed to use, there are still only two pumps, with the water coming from two directions. I realize that I have a sufficient amount of flow in the display, but I'm not convinced that I have a proper variance of flow patterns, regardless of what modes I use.

It sounds like you already have your mind made up, so go ahead and add more pumps, it won’t hurt other than the asthetics and cost. You asked if it would be beneficial in providing a better environment for your corals, and at this point I think the answer is no. I remember when I was new to the hobby I did something similar and filled my tank with small powerheads and designed a closed loop with 8 outlets because I had in my mind that I needed all this flow randomization... but eventually figured out it didn’t matter. I think flow coming from two points is okay. You kind of brushed off the programming aspect, but you can vary the flow more than you realize by changing up for programming. If you run both pumps at full power for 3 minutes, then one full power and one minimum for 3 min, then swing the other one to full/minimum, I bet you will see some flow reversal. Then you can run them in sync short pulse, anti sync short pulse... got a lot of options here, you just need to experiment.

You didn’t actually identify any issues with your corals that point to needing more flow, so in my opinion the money is better spent on a controller if you don’t already have one, alk monitor, calcium reactor, or other piece of equipment for your new SPS tank. If you get in the habit of fixing things that aren’t broken, you won’t be successful with SPS. They don’t like change, so you should only try to change things when they’re telling you they are unhappy, not just because a small pile of detritus on the bottom is making you twitch and you have some money burning a hole in your pocket.

 

[hart24601]

Also if noise is an issue, which it seems drives some crazy, more pumps running lower intensity can provide less noise.

 

[P-Dub]

@LobsterOfJustice has some sage advice there.
I have predominantly SPS in my tank. I have two Jebao PP-25's controlled by the Apex, Two ReefBreeders RP-M's, Two MJ-1200's, and one IceCap Gyer 3K all programmed to be doing different things at different times, Add to that the VarioS6 return pump. There is a lot of random and scheduled flow patterns and intensities. There is one caveat that I have noticed with greater flow, corals seem to grow a little more stout with a lot of flow. How or if this affects any verticle growth I have not noticed too much.

 

[nickkohrn]

It sounds like you already have your mind made up, so go ahead and add more pumps, it won’t hurt other than the asthetics and cost. You asked if it would be beneficial in providing a better environment for your corals, and at this point I think the answer is no. I remember when I was new to the hobby I did something similar and filled my tank with small powerheads and designed a closed loop with 8 outlets because I had in my mind that I needed all this flow randomization... but eventually figured out it didn’t matter. I think flow coming from two points is okay. You kind of brushed off the programming aspect, but you can vary the flow more than you realize by changing up for programming. If you run both pumps at full power for 3 minutes, then one full power and one minimum for 3 min, then swing the other one to full/minimum, I bet you will see some flow reversal. Then you can run them in sync short pulse, anti sync short pulse... got a lot of options here, you just need to experiment.

You didn’t actually identify any issues with your corals that point to needing more flow, so in my opinion the money is better spent on a controller if you don’t already have one, alk monitor, calcium reactor, or other piece of equipment for your new SPS tank. If you get in the habit of fixing things that aren’t broken, you won’t be successful with SPS. They don’t like change, so you should only try to change things when they’re telling you they are unhappy, not just because a small pile of detritus on the bottom is making you twitch and you have some money burning a hole in your pocket.

No, my mind isn’t made up. I just want to have a healthy discussion about my thoughts and options, and I greatly appreciate your input.

I have an Apex that I will look into programming for different pump modes. I just have difficulty in imagining my corals receiving flow from more directions by programming the pumps differently since the water will still be coming from two directions, but I will give it a shot.

I like the idea of having much more flow throughout the display, not only for removing detritus, but for helping to grow thicker, stronger corals. Maybe that’s nothing for me to attempt to influence.

I appreciate your advice and considerations. I didn’t mean for my response to seem as though I was blowing your advice off. I wanted to use the information from this thread to help me configure my budget and purchases timeline.

My system consists of three Radion XR15s, an Apex, a DŌS for calcium and magnesium, two VorTechs, a backup return pump, UV sterilizer, GFO media chamber, leak detectors, and flow sensors. I can’t think of much else that I want to add to my system (and future-proof for the inevitable upgrade), so I thought that I could start beefing up my flow. The catalyst for asking this question is that I have a bunch of BRS points, and while I don’t mind saving them for future uses, I thought that I could provide my display with a better environment going forward.

 

[chefjpaul]

I like lots of random flow, hard to tell in the glass box, but I try to imitate diving conditions...for what that is worth.

In my little AIO 50G, I run an S1 return with random flow nozzles, mp10, nero-5 and a gyre. I don't max them out, but definitely push water around.

Like others have stated, you probably don't need it yet, but if you can...why not.
Coral like water movement.

 

[Ferrell]

FWIW just running sync/anti-sync cycles mixes it up pretty good. Throw in all the different modes and you’ve got yourself some varied patterns. It’s easier for me to imagine “currents” rather than flow as I visualize where my 10s are placed. 2 can make very good currents throughout. 75 especially with your open design.
Two more wouldn’t be too bad. I also have a 75 and feel if I had two more 10s running in the back I could eliminate some slow currents. But I also have two large islands and not the bonsai like u do.
I have 2 on my brs wishlist. C’mon brs pick me. LOL
Good luck.

 

[nickkohrn]

The only true way to know if you have enough flow in your tank is if it can flip Astrea snails back over when they overturn after falling onto the bottom of the tank.