Flow question for 30 gallon reef?

benny1414 · 02/16/2011, 10:55 AM

Hello, I am setting up a new 30 gallon square tank with 30 lbs of LR in the center. I plan on putting a variety of corals in there and I had some questions about flow. I've heard that 20x to 30x minimum turnover is recommended for reef tanks, but does this include skimmers and power filters, or is this simply a measure of flow created by powerheads?

Right now I have:

Power Filter 300gph
Protein Skimmer 295gph
Powerhead 145 gph

Total 740gph

740/30 would be 25x flow if all things were included; however if only the powerhead is included, it is a paltry 5x turnover

I am willing to upgrade my powerheads if necessary and if I do, I am interested in some sort of random flow. I have been looking at two options:

Option #1

2 hydor koralia nanos 425gph/each $90
Naturalwave Multi-Cycle Pump Timer $40

This would give me a total flow of 850gph (28x) just from powerheads, BUT...

...I'm not sure how the wave timer works, but if it simply alternately turns one on and one off, would that technically reduce my flow back to 425gph(14x) as only one would be on at a time?

Option #2

VorTech MP10 ES 1,575 max gph $220

I have heard great things about the Vortech. The flow is obviously high enough and the wave functions are built right in. It is almost $100 more than the other option, but would it be worth it? Would it be too much for a 30 gallon tank?

Would I be better off with two smaller powerheads or one superior one?

I know I have a lot of questions, and any insight on this would help!

Thanks!

Ben

thegrun · 02/16/2011, 11:13 AM

The skimmer would count only if the discharge is directly into the DT. What you are looking for is water flow within the display only. Any water movement confined to your sump would not count. If this is to be a SPS dominated tank, 40x would be even better.

Uncle Salty 05 · 02/16/2011, 04:26 PM

Go for the vortech if you can afford it.
Koralias are not designed for wavemakers and make lots of noise (when starting and re-starting) and somtimes start in reverse.
They are fine for constant flow but not on and off.

Reverend Reefer · 02/16/2011, 05:14 PM

i really love my vortech, plus they have great customer service. the one i bought was used and loud but still under warranty. so i sent it to them, they replaced it or fixed it for free, and now i can only hear it if i'm standing right near it.

down the line i plan to get the backup battery pack for it which is a cool option in case of power outages.

02/16/2011, 04:26 PM	#3
Uncle Salty 05 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,799	Go for the vortech if you can afford it. Koralias are not designed for wavemakers and make lots of noise (when starting and re-starting) and somtimes start in reverse. They are fine for constant flow but not on and off. __________________ In all that I endure, of one thing I am sure. Knowledge and reason, change like the season. A jester's promenade. - Kerry Livgren Current Tank Info: 180 gal reef tank with dual attached refugiums 20 long and 10 gallon. Plus 55 gallon True Percula breeding tank.

02/16/2011, 05:14 PM	#4
Reverend Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 883	i really love my vortech, plus they have great customer service. the one i bought was used and loud but still under warranty. so i sent it to them, they replaced it or fixed it for free, and now i can only hear it if i'm standing right near it. down the line i plan to get the backup battery pack for it which is a cool option in case of power outages. __________________ - Rev. Tank: 65G glass 48" long tank; Sump/Fuge: 30G. Lighting: LEDs+single T5 strip. Maintenance: ATO Kalkwasser + 10% weekly WC, daily feedings LPS+Softies dominated.

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02/16/2011, 10:55 AM	#1
benny1414 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 1	Flow question for 30 gallon reef? Hello, I am setting up a new 30 gallon square tank with 30 lbs of LR in the center. I plan on putting a variety of corals in there and I had some questions about flow. I've heard that 20x to 30x minimum turnover is recommended for reef tanks, but does this include skimmers and power filters, or is this simply a measure of flow created by powerheads? Right now I have: Power Filter 300gph Protein Skimmer 295gph Powerhead 145 gph Total 740gph 740/30 would be 25x flow if all things were included; however if only the powerhead is included, it is a paltry 5x turnover I am willing to upgrade my powerheads if necessary and if I do, I am interested in some sort of random flow. I have been looking at two options: Option #1 2 hydor koralia nanos 425gph/each $90 Naturalwave Multi-Cycle Pump Timer $40 This would give me a total flow of 850gph (28x) just from powerheads, BUT... ...I'm not sure how the wave timer works, but if it simply alternately turns one on and one off, would that technically reduce my flow back to 425gph(14x) as only one would be on at a time? Option #2 VorTech MP10 ES 1,575 max gph $220 I have heard great things about the Vortech. The flow is obviously high enough and the wave functions are built right in. It is almost $100 more than the other option, but would it be worth it? Would it be too much for a 30 gallon tank? Would I be better off with two smaller powerheads or one superior one? I know I have a lot of questions, and any insight on this would help! Thanks! Ben

02/16/2011, 11:13 AM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	The skimmer would count only if the discharge is directly into the DT. What you are looking for is water flow within the display only. Any water movement confined to your sump would not count. If this is to be a SPS dominated tank, 40x would be even better.