What kind of flow do you need for hard corals?

Chiefillini · 06/16/2013, 03:36 PM

I'm thinking about putting acro's in my tank and was wondering what type of flow is ideal for them?
Right now I have leathers, mushrooms, torch corals, pipe organs, cloves, zoas,
anemone's and they are all doing fine.
I have 4 powerheads in my tank hooked up to a wave maker.

What should the flow be for hard corals?
Thanks.

Reefmedic79 · 06/16/2013, 05:12 PM

Most would say 40-50x's the tank volume, but it also depends on the type of powerheads. PH's like maxi-jets tend to only send out a narrow stream of water, whereas Vortechs have a more broad stream making them more effective IMO. It would also depend slightly on the specific species of coral.

Palting · 06/16/2013, 07:58 PM

I have an SPS dominated mixed reef, and the tank has about 46X flow using multiple powerheads and return pump. 30X-50X DT volume should be good, but equally important is to make sure there are no dead spots. I like using multiple powerheads for multiple reasons. First, you can tune the flows by properly directing the oowerheads to give you high flow areas for the stonies, and lower flow areas for the softies. Second, you can cross the flows to give you chaotic random flow.

Sk8r · 06/17/2013, 12:48 AM

Calcium level is critical. They kind of like random but strong current.

zachfishman · 06/17/2013, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palting

Second, you can cross the flows to give you chaotic random flow.

Highly underrated IMO. Strong and random / multi-alternating.

06/16/2013, 03:36 PM	#1
Chiefillini Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Saint Charles, IL Posts: 53	What kind of flow do you need for hard corals? I'm thinking about putting acro's in my tank and was wondering what type of flow is ideal for them? Right now I have leathers, mushrooms, torch corals, pipe organs, cloves, zoas, anemone's and they are all doing fine. I have 4 powerheads in my tank hooked up to a wave maker. What should the flow be for hard corals? Thanks.

06/16/2013, 05:12 PM	#2
Reefmedic79 Life and Reef Saver Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Tavares, Florida Posts: 6,202	Most would say 40-50x's the tank volume, but it also depends on the type of powerheads. PH's like maxi-jets tend to only send out a narrow stream of water, whereas Vortechs have a more broad stream making them more effective IMO. It would also depend slightly on the specific species of coral. __________________ ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º>¸. ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> How much deeper would the ocean be if it didn't have sponges? P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way Sid Current Tank Info: 40 Breeder, 20L Sump, 10G Fuge, JBJ A.T.O, 4" Reef Octopus, DIY Stand & Canopy, RapidLED Dimmable 36 Kit on 3 6" MakersLED Heatsink, MP10es

06/16/2013, 07:58 PM	#3
Palting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,912	I have an SPS dominated mixed reef, and the tank has about 46X flow using multiple powerheads and return pump. 30X-50X DT volume should be good, but equally important is to make sure there are no dead spots. I like using multiple powerheads for multiple reasons. First, you can tune the flows by properly directing the oowerheads to give you high flow areas for the stonies, and lower flow areas for the softies. Second, you can cross the flows to give you chaotic random flow. __________________ Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam

06/17/2013, 12:48 AM	#4
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Calcium level is critical. They kind of like random but strong current. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.