Reef flow question

Waters40 · 05/23/2014, 08:22 AM

I currently have two Hydor Koralias (850 and 1150) plus my sump return on a 60 gallon LPS reef tank. I have the 850 on the left top pointing down across the top of the two islands running 100% of the time and the 1150 running on the right bottom behind the rocks which runs half the time (on two hours, off two hours, etc.) Since this is a LPS tank, is this too much flow? I finally thought I had everything figured out until I added a lionfish. Part of their beauty is watching them float with their fins extended. Mine just gets blown around. Should I put the 850 on a timer also? Is it ok to have neither powerhead running occasionally (only the sump return)? I think figuring out water flow is the most difficult part of this hobby. Whenever I add anything new (coral or fish) it seems like I have to adjust the flow I figured right now, when everything is running, I have about 2200 GPH on a 60 gallon tank.

thegrun · 05/23/2014, 09:03 AM

For your tank with LPS coral I think the flow is just about right, it would be a little slow for SPS corals, but for LPS it’s good. I would not turn off the pumps at all, but if you are going to do so, turn the 850 off, not the 1150. The problem for you is the Lionfish, which do not like the high flow the corals need. If you reduce the flow by using smaller powerheads to satisfy the Lionfish, the corals will need to have the powerheads aimed at them so they as individuals receive proper flow.

Waters40 · 05/23/2014, 11:14 AM

Ok....maybe I will just play with the positioning of the flow or put the 850 on a timer to turn off and on throughout the day (leaving it on all night long). Thanks for the input.

Dmorty217 · 05/23/2014, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waters40

Ok....maybe I will just play with the positioning of the flow or put the 850 on a timer to turn off and on throughout the day (leaving it on all night long). Thanks for the input.

Be careful with one on a timer, they aren't really made to be turned on and off everyday. The hydor controller you can buy for them, I don't believe ever turns the pump all the way off

Waters40 · 05/23/2014, 01:03 PM

Yeah, I was concerned about that with all of the horror stories I have read about them starting up in reverse. I am currently shutting one of mine off every two hours, 24 hours a day. I would think this setup (possible hardware problems aside) would be bennefical for the coral since they like random, changing flow patterns? I am just trying to give my Annentata some "calmer" water throughout the day without causing any issues with the coral or creating any deadspots. I am starting to think Lions don't belong in a true reef tank since they like the slow moving, lagoon enviroment :-(

05/23/2014, 08:22 AM	#1
Waters40 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 299	Reef flow question I currently have two Hydor Koralias (850 and 1150) plus my sump return on a 60 gallon LPS reef tank. I have the 850 on the left top pointing down across the top of the two islands running 100% of the time and the 1150 running on the right bottom behind the rocks which runs half the time (on two hours, off two hours, etc.) Since this is a LPS tank, is this too much flow? I finally thought I had everything figured out until I added a lionfish. Part of their beauty is watching them float with their fins extended. Mine just gets blown around. Should I put the 850 on a timer also? Is it ok to have neither powerhead running occasionally (only the sump return)? I think figuring out water flow is the most difficult part of this hobby. Whenever I add anything new (coral or fish) it seems like I have to adjust the flow I figured right now, when everything is running, I have about 2200 GPH on a 60 gallon tank.

05/23/2014, 09:03 AM	#2
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	For your tank with LPS coral I think the flow is just about right, it would be a little slow for SPS corals, but for LPS it’s good. I would not turn off the pumps at all, but if you are going to do so, turn the 850 off, not the 1150. The problem for you is the Lionfish, which do not like the high flow the corals need. If you reduce the flow by using smaller powerheads to satisfy the Lionfish, the corals will need to have the powerheads aimed at them so they as individuals receive proper flow.

05/23/2014, 11:14 AM	#3
Waters40 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 299	Ok....maybe I will just play with the positioning of the flow or put the 850 on a timer to turn off and on throughout the day (leaving it on all night long). Thanks for the input.

05/23/2014, 01:03 PM	#5
Waters40 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 299	Yeah, I was concerned about that with all of the horror stories I have read about them starting up in reverse. I am currently shutting one of mine off every two hours, 24 hours a day. I would think this setup (possible hardware problems aside) would be bennefical for the coral since they like random, changing flow patterns? I am just trying to give my Annentata some "calmer" water throughout the day without causing any issues with the coral or creating any deadspots. I am starting to think Lions don't belong in a true reef tank since they like the slow moving, lagoon enviroment :-(