Enough flow?

Mr31415 · 07/05/2007, 02:40 PM

My tank is a 12g tank with zoanthids, mushrooms and yellow polyps.

I have shrimpfish and pipefish, and intend to add a sea horse lateron.

Is the flow generated by the Eheim Liberty 200 HOB enough for this tank?

I have two Maxi Jet 750's in there too, but if either one of them come on the pipefish seem to struggle.

Andrew · 07/05/2007, 02:53 PM

Tunze makes a mini pump that would be perfect. Premium aquatics sells them.

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...de=Tunze_pumps

Mr31415 · 07/05/2007, 03:12 PM

Ok but I still want to know whether the flow from the eheim HOB filter is enough or do I need more?

Andrew · 07/05/2007, 03:14 PM

The powerfilter won't really give you "flow" and will just give you surface movement since it's only 200gph.

jaymz101 · 07/05/2007, 03:53 PM

I agree. 200 gph is a good amount of flow for a 12 gallon tank (something like 16 2/3x), but you will only get a surface exchange and will have dead spots. I would invest in a small(ish) powerhead to really mix up the water. Aim for about 100 gph more. Those Tunze pumps are great, just be careful you dont add too much. Sygnathids (seahorses and pipefish) are calm water fish and your mushrooms generally dont like too much flow either (theyll survive, but wont fully expand or thrive). The pipefish is struggling because he's not a strong swimmer. Thats why they hold on to stuff.

Mr31415 · 07/05/2007, 03:56 PM

Yeah the two Maxi Jet's (200gph each) seems to be a bit too much. Maybe I should replace them with the smaller Maxi Jets - the 130gph ones?

Andrew · 07/05/2007, 04:00 PM

Go with the Tunze pumps. A lot smaller and a good brand.

pledosophy · 07/05/2007, 04:03 PM

If I were you and based on my experience with syngnathids, I would use one of the MJ's you already hae but hook it to a spraybar, then run the bar under your rocks. This way you can up the flow, but also have flow going through the rocks to eliminate the dead spots.

On a MJ powerhead a spraybar can be very easy if you let it be. Just get a piece of the right size hose, block the end of it (can melt but might be better to use a PVC alternative, just a hosebarb glued to a plug or threaded plug. Then drill some holes in the hose so the water comes out of the hose. The PVC parts will cost you $3 which is way cheaper then a new powerhead and you will be able to have the flow you need, eliminate dead spots and still have happy fish.

JME

BTW what type of pipes you keeping in a 12g? They on prepared foods yet?

Mr31415 · 07/06/2007, 02:18 AM

I have two Banded pipefish. Only got them yesterday - just fed them brine nauplii and they seem to be eating it. Will try to wean them off in a couple days time.

Thanks for the advise.

Andrew - those Tunzes are not available where I live so I will have to make do with what I can get my hands on. But I agree - it is a good brand. I have 5 Tunze Turbelle stream pumps in my other tanks.

07/05/2007, 02:40 PM	#1
Mr31415 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Surrey, Canada Posts: 1,926	Enough flow? My tank is a 12g tank with zoanthids, mushrooms and yellow polyps. I have shrimpfish and pipefish, and intend to add a sea horse lateron. Is the flow generated by the Eheim Liberty 200 HOB enough for this tank? I have two Maxi Jet 750's in there too, but if either one of them come on the pipefish seem to struggle.

07/05/2007, 03:53 PM	#5
jaymz101 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: St. Pete, FL Posts: 410	I agree. 200 gph is a good amount of flow for a 12 gallon tank (something like 16 2/3x), but you will only get a surface exchange and will have dead spots. I would invest in a small(ish) powerhead to really mix up the water. Aim for about 100 gph more. Those Tunze pumps are great, just be careful you dont add too much. Sygnathids (seahorses and pipefish) are calm water fish and your mushrooms generally dont like too much flow either (theyll survive, but wont fully expand or thrive). The pipefish is struggling because he's not a strong swimmer. Thats why they hold on to stuff. __________________ In 96 hours, Jack Bauer has killed 93 people and saved the world 4 times. What have you done with your life? Current Tank Info: Lobo, local Oculina, Acro., hydnophora, lots of zoas, caulastrea, pagoda and scroll, foxface flasher wrass and firefish

07/05/2007, 04:03 PM	#8
pledosophy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Beaverton Posts: 5,290	If I were you and based on my experience with syngnathids, I would use one of the MJ's you already hae but hook it to a spraybar, then run the bar under your rocks. This way you can up the flow, but also have flow going through the rocks to eliminate the dead spots. On a MJ powerhead a spraybar can be very easy if you let it be. Just get a piece of the right size hose, block the end of it (can melt but might be better to use a PVC alternative, just a hosebarb glued to a plug or threaded plug. Then drill some holes in the hose so the water comes out of the hose. The PVC parts will cost you $3 which is way cheaper then a new powerhead and you will be able to have the flow you need, eliminate dead spots and still have happy fish. JME BTW what type of pipes you keeping in a 12g? They on prepared foods yet? __________________ 120g mixed reef 90g QT

07/05/2007, 02:53 PM	#2
Andrew Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 13,640	Tunze makes a mini pump that would be perfect. Premium aquatics sells them. http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...de=Tunze_pumps

07/05/2007, 03:12 PM	#3
Mr31415 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Surrey, Canada Posts: 1,926	Ok but I still want to know whether the flow from the eheim HOB filter is enough or do I need more?

07/05/2007, 03:14 PM	#4
Andrew Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 13,640	The powerfilter won't really give you "flow" and will just give you surface movement since it's only 200gph.

07/05/2007, 03:56 PM	#6
Mr31415 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Surrey, Canada Posts: 1,926	Yeah the two Maxi Jet's (200gph each) seems to be a bit too much. Maybe I should replace them with the smaller Maxi Jets - the 130gph ones?

07/05/2007, 04:00 PM	#7
Andrew Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 13,640	Go with the Tunze pumps. A lot smaller and a good brand.

07/06/2007, 02:18 AM	#9
Mr31415 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Surrey, Canada Posts: 1,926	I have two Banded pipefish. Only got them yesterday - just fed them brine nauplii and they seem to be eating it. Will try to wean them off in a couple days time. Thanks for the advise. Andrew - those Tunzes are not available where I live so I will have to make do with what I can get my hands on. But I agree - it is a good brand. I have 5 Tunze Turbelle stream pumps in my other tanks.