Power head question

[Pdetevis]

Hello RC, new to the hobby, second intro, my name is Phillip

I currently set up a 55g with 25g sump, tank has been running since Nov 12th


My current issue or Question is with the power heads, I have a few hydor koralia pumps, a 1050, 1400, & 1500. My tank size is 48Lx15Wx18D should I be using all three? The sand moves a lot and with return pump also coming in I have mounds in different places and a few bare bottom spots. Any advise, I can also purchase more different size ones if I need to.

[sponger0]

You have almost 4000 gph in the tank. It typically runs 10-20x the tank volume, which would 1100 if you did 20x the tank tank volume. So no wonder sand is blowing everwhere.

I would downsize your pumps and sell the ones you have.

[TankednTN]

I have the same 55g tank with a 1050 Koralia and a Maxijet 1200 (soon to be replace with another Koralia 1050) set up at opposite ends of the tank. I have dunes that form mainly from the Maxijet. I'm putting the two Koralia's on a wavemaker so they'll alternate and hopefully even things out. I don't think I'd use all 3. It'd probably be more like a tornado going through that tank.

[Pdetevis]

Sounds good, I'll pick up another 1050 and a wave maker and alternate. I'll hold on the the other two for next big tank some time next year. Thanks

[Painted skin]

Ya that's over kill for flow in that tank, look on the bright side your fishes is getting plenty of exercise.

[mikexnxike01]

^^ haha

[Carch melanopte]

Water turn over depends on what you intend on keeping. 20 + times per hour is appropriate for keeping SPS corals. It sounds like your current is to strong and improperly positioned. Many SPS keepers will turn over their tank 30-50 times per hour. I turn my 500 SPS over nearly 40 times per hour.

[sponger0]

Originally Posted by Carch melanopte

Water turn over depends on what you intend on keeping. 20 + times per hour is appropriate for keeping SPS corals. It sounds like your current is to strong and improperly positioned. Many SPS keepers will turn over their tank 30-50 times per hour. I turn my 500 SPS over nearly 40 times per hour.

Turnover and circulation are not the same thing.


So your return pump is 20,000 gph?

[mikeyVR4]

Question.

I do not have a power head yet and I noticed some food just resting on the sand bed. Can that cause ammonia issues?

[Painted skin]

Originally Posted by mikeyVR4

Question.

I do not have a power head yet and I noticed some food just resting on the sand bed. Can that cause ammonia issues?

Yes it can, if you have food left over on the sand for a period of time then you are over feeding.