How much is too much flow?

specialreef · 04/29/2007, 11:35 PM

I would love to have a mixed reef tank. One question is how much is too much flow? I would like to work my way into having soft corals, lps, some polyps. I want enough flow but dont know where to stop. I have a 55 gallon tank(48x13x20). My return pump has 450 gph calculation.

Any help is appreciated.

gummyworms · 04/29/2007, 11:37 PM

That sounds about right for the return pump. The number generally quoted is 3-5X from sump. You're a bit on the high end (8X). As long as you don't get microbubbles, probably will work very well.

specialreef · 04/29/2007, 11:44 PM

yes i actually get micro bubbles. I hate the look. How can i cut the bubbles.

AquaKnight · 04/29/2007, 11:52 PM

Plump a ball valve into the return line and close it some...

gummyworms · 04/29/2007, 11:55 PM

I'm dealing with microbubbles as well, I decided to downsize my pump from a 900GPH to a 600GPH. Here are some other ideas:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1109659

specialreef · 04/30/2007, 12:03 AM

WOW. Thank you everyone, very much.

chImerAnz · 04/30/2007, 12:50 AM

Do you mean within the display tank or circulation through your sump? I got about 6 times turnover through my sump, although about 75 times turnover in the display. Positioning corals vs where strong/medium/light flow is perhaps more important. My tank is a washing machine near the surface and the acro's love it. LPS/softies obviously sit lower and are happier with lesser flow

specialreef · 04/30/2007, 11:32 AM

I dont plan on keeping ACRO'S or SPS, only LPS and SOFT CORALS. MY 450 calculation is thru the sump in the tank i only have one mj 1200 and the return. What would be the numbers i need to aim for in my display type of tank?

papagimp · 04/30/2007, 11:39 AM

20x turnover would be about 1100gph total flow
30x turnover would be about 1650gph.

So it's all going to depend on the specimens you have and placemnt. I'd start towards the low end if possible and work from there. One MJ1200 (295gph) and 450gph return only gives 745gph or about 13.5x turnover, that's on the very low end IMO.

specialreef · 04/30/2007, 11:51 AM

Thank you.

papagimp · 04/30/2007, 11:54 AM

fwiw specialreef, my 55g is mostly LPS, Softies, and a few leathers, I have dabbled with some SPS, but the higher flow to make them look good in this size tank, was a tad detrimental to the health of my other colonies. I've kept between 20 and 30 x turnover (like 27x for the msot part) and this has done great for most the LPS. My bubble coral still gets a tad toomuch flow I think.

specialreef · 05/01/2007, 12:35 PM

Thank you papagimp, I have a thing of thinking it seems like to much flow but that is because i dont know anything about flows in tank. I know we need it but i didnt know how to judge it. Thank you.

fload · 05/01/2007, 12:44 PM

Also try to go for more widespread flow not hot tub jets more like a spray of water like the stream/prop style pumps

specialreef · 05/01/2007, 09:57 PM

I see.

specialreef · 05/01/2007, 10:01 PM

Im thinking of buying one or two of these with a MJ. Does any one got some experience with this product.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...55&N=2004+2035

pledosophy · 05/02/2007, 12:03 AM

My mixed reef turns over 65x an hour. It is great but I have some problems keeping some stock in certain places. Overall health is fantastic.

Hal · 05/02/2007, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by gummyworms
That sounds about right for the return pump. The number generally quoted is 3-5X from sump. You're a bit on the high end (8X). As long as you don't get microbubbles, probably will work very well.

Why does higher flowrate from the sump cause microbubbles?

I've had microbubbles and when I turned down the flowrate it made them go away. I hadn't made the connection until now.

Is there a rule of thumb as to what conditions cause microbubbles?

fload · 05/02/2007, 11:12 AM

I just keep my pumps cranked up and use filter socks on return line and skimmer....

MTB · 05/02/2007, 11:45 AM

I have heard good things about the hydor koralias. I think they got recalled but have since fixed the problem. I am going to oreder 2 #3s for my 55. I keep Zoos/palys, Rics and some LPS. Right now I have about 2200 gph flowing through the tank. Or about 40x per hour. That is with 5 power heads though and it looks bad with that many.

specialreef · 05/02/2007, 12:40 PM

I agree with you mtb, plus they have a better look. In which directions are you power heads point?

04/29/2007, 11:35 PM	#1
specialreef Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Davenport,FL Posts: 246	How much is too much flow? I would love to have a mixed reef tank. One question is how much is too much flow? I would like to work my way into having soft corals, lps, some polyps. I want enough flow but dont know where to stop. I have a 55 gallon tank(48x13x20). My return pump has 450 gph calculation. Any help is appreciated.

04/30/2007, 12:50 AM	#7
chImerAnz Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NZL Posts: 136	Do you mean within the display tank or circulation through your sump? I got about 6 times turnover through my sump, although about 75 times turnover in the display. Positioning corals vs where strong/medium/light flow is perhaps more important. My tank is a washing machine near the surface and the acro's love it. LPS/softies obviously sit lower and are happier with lesser flow __________________ Everything you need to know - MARINE and REEF TANK FAQ! http://www.chimera.co.nz/marinefaq/

04/30/2007, 11:39 AM	#9
papagimp COMAS Rocks! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 8,185 Blog Entries: 2	20x turnover would be about 1100gph total flow 30x turnover would be about 1650gph. So it's all going to depend on the specimens you have and placemnt. I'd start towards the low end if possible and work from there. One MJ1200 (295gph) and 450gph return only gives 745gph or about 13.5x turnover, that's on the very low end IMO. __________________ 58g Softie & 75g Stoney Member, Central Oklahoma Marine Aquarium Society Current Tank Info: 58g Mixed Reef Project - Started June 2011

04/30/2007, 11:54 AM	#11
papagimp COMAS Rocks! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 8,185 Blog Entries: 2	fwiw specialreef, my 55g is mostly LPS, Softies, and a few leathers, I have dabbled with some SPS, but the higher flow to make them look good in this size tank, was a tad detrimental to the health of my other colonies. I've kept between 20 and 30 x turnover (like 27x for the msot part) and this has done great for most the LPS. My bubble coral still gets a tad toomuch flow I think. __________________ 58g Softie & 75g Stoney Member, Central Oklahoma Marine Aquarium Society Current Tank Info: 58g Mixed Reef Project - Started June 2011

05/01/2007, 12:44 PM	#13
fload Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: bakersfield, CA Posts: 145	Also try to go for more widespread flow not hot tub jets more like a spray of water like the stream/prop style pumps __________________ One fish two fish red fish blue fish Current Tank Info: 75 Cube 2x250wMH 14k. ACJR VORTECH TUNZE NANOS (IMBROKE)

04/29/2007, 11:37 PM	#2
gummyworms Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 205	That sounds about right for the return pump. The number generally quoted is 3-5X from sump. You're a bit on the high end (8X). As long as you don't get microbubbles, probably will work very well.

04/29/2007, 11:44 PM	#3
specialreef Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Davenport,FL Posts: 246	yes i actually get micro bubbles. I hate the look. How can i cut the bubbles.

04/29/2007, 11:52 PM	#4
AquaKnight Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Emerald Coast Posts: 2,030	Plump a ball valve into the return line and close it some...

04/29/2007, 11:55 PM	#5
gummyworms Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 205	I'm dealing with microbubbles as well, I decided to downsize my pump from a 900GPH to a 600GPH. Here are some other ideas: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...readid=1109659

04/30/2007, 12:03 AM	#6
specialreef Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Davenport,FL Posts: 246	WOW. Thank you everyone, very much.

04/30/2007, 11:32 AM	#8
specialreef Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Davenport,FL Posts: 246	I dont plan on keeping ACRO'S or SPS, only LPS and SOFT CORALS. MY 450 calculation is thru the sump in the tank i only have one mj 1200 and the return. What would be the numbers i need to aim for in my display type of tank?

04/30/2007, 11:51 AM	#10
specialreef Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Davenport,FL Posts: 246	Thank you.

05/01/2007, 12:35 PM	#12
specialreef Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Davenport,FL Posts: 246	Thank you papagimp, I have a thing of thinking it seems like to much flow but that is because i dont know anything about flows in tank. I know we need it but i didnt know how to judge it. Thank you.

05/01/2007, 09:57 PM	#14
specialreef Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Davenport,FL Posts: 246	I see.

05/01/2007, 10:01 PM	#15
specialreef Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Davenport,FL Posts: 246	Im thinking of buying one or two of these with a MJ. Does any one got some experience with this product. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produc...55&N=2004+2035

05/02/2007, 12:03 AM	#16
pledosophy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Beaverton Posts: 5,290	My mixed reef turns over 65x an hour. It is great but I have some problems keeping some stock in certain places. Overall health is fantastic. __________________ 120g mixed reef 90g QT

05/02/2007, 11:12 AM	#18
fload Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: bakersfield, CA Posts: 145	I just keep my pumps cranked up and use filter socks on return line and skimmer.... __________________ One fish two fish red fish blue fish Current Tank Info: 75 Cube 2x250wMH 14k. ACJR VORTECH TUNZE NANOS (IMBROKE)

05/02/2007, 11:45 AM	#19
MTB Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Illannoy Posts: 1,365	I have heard good things about the hydor koralias. I think they got recalled but have since fixed the problem. I am going to oreder 2 #3s for my 55. I keep Zoos/palys, Rics and some LPS. Right now I have about 2200 gph flowing through the tank. Or about 40x per hour. That is with 5 power heads though and it looks bad with that many. __________________ Got Frags? Current Tank Info: 40 breeder. Kessil lights. Reef octopus skimmer. Vortec mp40 x2.

05/02/2007, 12:40 PM	#20
specialreef Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Davenport,FL Posts: 246	I agree with you mtb, plus they have a better look. In which directions are you power heads point?