Water flow
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AdamNC
Lawnmower Blenny says nom nom
Not near enough flow. Get yourself some pumps on the sides or a couple of wave pumps. You got to remember that your trying to recreate the ocean not a pond or a lake. As your just starting out a couple of Jebao PP-4 would do nicely and not too expensive.
Can someone from #reefsquad move this to the proper sub forum? or ask a mod to.
Can someone from #reefsquad move this to the proper sub forum? or ask a mod to.
Yea depending on the pump a laminar (all are actually including surge pumps ) it's fine. When two laminar sources meet , it creates turbulance.
It'll depend on what you want to keep.
Most soft corals and LPS (Large-polyped scleractinian - you kinda get why folks abbreviate that one!) corals would do well in much lower flow than SPS prefer. In a 30, a decent powerhead - ideally one that has variable flow capabilities like the ones Jsker mentioned - opposing your HOB might just get you a whole heck of a lot of the way there.
Welcome to Reef2Reef, by the way!
~Bruce
Most soft corals and LPS (Large-polyped scleractinian - you kinda get why folks abbreviate that one!) corals would do well in much lower flow than SPS prefer. In a 30, a decent powerhead - ideally one that has variable flow capabilities like the ones Jsker mentioned - opposing your HOB might just get you a whole heck of a lot of the way there.
Welcome to Reef2Reef, by the way!
~Bruce
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albyone
Active Member
Thanks everyone for the warm welcomes and replies! My main goal is to house an anemone. I have a good flow I can see waves on the top and my clowns have been partying in the current nonstop. I just wasn't sure if I could run it 24/7 or if I had to keep a schedule
I would honestly take a look at the jebao series (wp 10) and the hydor koralia 420's when you can. If nems are the order, youll want to be able to easily cover the inlets of the powerheads.
Depending on the side of the hob, and the maxi jet and their placement, yea it could be just fine.
Fwiw my 55g was originally set up with 2 MJ1200's and one 360gph pump plus the return from the sump(quite similar to an hob flow)
flow really is a trick, as its really a by eye thing. regardless of the number and or pump model or brand. I always recommend to stirr up or blow stuff of the rocks(or use food) to "see the flow". if its moving everywhere in the tank your good. Its going to be faster and slower in different spots. that's normal. it allow for different animals that require different flows.
Depending on the side of the hob, and the maxi jet and their placement, yea it could be just fine.
Fwiw my 55g was originally set up with 2 MJ1200's and one 360gph pump plus the return from the sump(quite similar to an hob flow)
flow really is a trick, as its really a by eye thing. regardless of the number and or pump model or brand. I always recommend to stirr up or blow stuff of the rocks(or use food) to "see the flow". if its moving everywhere in the tank your good. Its going to be faster and slower in different spots. that's normal. it allow for different animals that require different flows.
I keep the same flow schedule as the ocean in my tank.
Neither tide nor surge slow for the evening hours . . .
~Bruce
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albyone
Active Member
It'll depend on what you want to keep.
Most soft corals and LPS (Large-polyped scleractinian - you kinda get why folks abbreviate that one!) corals would do well in much lower flow than SPS prefer. In a 30, a decent powerhead - ideally one that has variable flow capabilities like the ones Jsker mentioned - opposing your HOB might just get you a whole heck of a lot of the way there.
Welcome to Reef2Reef, by the way!
I see you said oppose the hob ... I kind of have it in a loop to cycle the current.... is there a better positioning. I orderd the Jebao tw 10 and am getting by in the meantime with my maxi pump..
This is just me, but ...
A single pump will generally push water in one direction. Variable speeds, but it's going forward. If you place it opposite your steady-flow return, then when the powerhead is at full force, it'll collide with the return, creating a turbulent flow in the "powerhead" direction. When the powerhead powers down, the return gets to push its water to the opposite end of the tank, changing the direction of the flow.
That's what I initially did with my return and a single Gyre pump, but my return on that tank is pretty anemic, so I went and got a second Gyre. Got some flow now! (>__<)
When the Jebao arrives, experiment with some different positions and programs, and find something you like!
~Bruce
A single pump will generally push water in one direction. Variable speeds, but it's going forward. If you place it opposite your steady-flow return, then when the powerhead is at full force, it'll collide with the return, creating a turbulent flow in the "powerhead" direction. When the powerhead powers down, the return gets to push its water to the opposite end of the tank, changing the direction of the flow.
That's what I initially did with my return and a single Gyre pump, but my return on that tank is pretty anemic, so I went and got a second Gyre. Got some flow now! (>__<)
When the Jebao arrives, experiment with some different positions and programs, and find something you like!
~Bruce
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albyone
Active Member
Right I could see an opposing set up being stronger, With less force.. but why I like the open loop system is because now I see the water cycles in a nice flow. And the extra sediment picks up in my skimmer and hob. I actually did think about doing an opposing flow... but I thought that would make too strong of an under current... comments and advice welcome I'm having a lot of fun here!! And am thinking about turning a 10g tank for gobi/ shrimp what power head would you suggest since we're on the same topic? Thanks
There ya go ... have fun with it!
I don't know powerhead models well enough to recommend one for a 10-gallon tank. You'll want something that doesn't take up a lot of space, for certain!
~Bruce
I don't know powerhead models well enough to recommend one for a 10-gallon tank. You'll want something that doesn't take up a lot of space, for certain!
~Bruce
Mike N
Valuable Member
I'd recommend against the koralia nano's for the simple reason that their mounting/adjusting implement SUCKS! If you're looking for an alternative around the same size, check out the sicce voyager nano.
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albyone
Active Member
I am looking at a hydor pico evo. It displaces 180 gph no control just set flow.. about golf ball size. And the hob in it displaces 95 gph. Does that sound too strong? The 10g I set up for a isolation tank but I don't think I need it for 2 clowns and a sailfin blenny. So I was gonna make it a overflow tank for my coral(with the gobi/tiger combo
Mike N
Valuable Member
No it doesn't sound too strong. I have a nano 240gph in my 6g tank. I think you might end up wanting more than the 180 powerhead, but give it a shot and see.
reeferfoxx
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Jebao Sw-2 nano sized pump. Very small.
Jebao is a great entry level controllable powerhead at an affordable cost. This would include the RW/PP/SW series. The WP series has been discontinued, although you can sometimes find some for sale on ebay. Keep in mind it's an old model that doesn't share the same advancements as previous models mentioned.
Here is a 60L(15 gallon) tank sporting the SW-2 on pulse mode...
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reeferfoxx
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I won't give my opinion on it. That is up to you. All I can do is state the obvious. What I do know is the ecotech quiet drive doesnt have a rattling noise like the non-quietdrive. They have a patented design found in no other pump. They are non directional. The motor and wire are on the outside of the glass rather than inside and that they have a sponge cover if needed for walking anemones.
