Is there such a thing as too much flow?

nmbeg · 01/27/2008, 12:37 AM

I have a new 125-gallon setup with about 125 punds live rock. The conditions are stable, the algae is growing like it should, etc, but to keep detritus from accumulating on my DSB, i keep adding more and more pumps.

I am now up to seven Maxi-jet 900's and two Koralia 3's. That puts me at about 8000 gph if I am doing my math right. That's twice the recommended 20-40x.

I have two fish, and yellow tang and an oscillarus clown, both in there for two days now. The tang was adjusting well, starting to work on my algae, until I added the latest pumps (2 maxi's and the 2 koralias) today. Now he prefers to hide in a cave. I will give him a little time to adjust and if he doesn't come back out by tomorrow, I definitely will have to cut back on the flow.

But otherwise, is there such a thing as too much flow for a reef system? What if I put on an oscillating timer, effectively cutting the flow in half? Would that be a better situation?

Thanks for the help.

kau_cinta_ku · 01/27/2008, 12:57 AM

i have 68x turnover in my tank and the fish and corals love it. alot depends on the type of flow. the plain maxijets are harsh compared to the koralia's. you want the wide gental flow.

ever think about modding a couple of the maxi jets?

jdmcivicek9 · 01/27/2008, 01:03 AM

i have 3565 GPH turnover in my tank and all my fish and corals love it also!! i have 2 modded maxi jets and an unmodded 1200 and a rio in my tank...its a 55gal tank anyway i dont think you can really have to much flow unless its blowing your corals and fish everywhere...then i would consider it to be to much flow but as long as the polyps are out on the coral and the fish seem to be swimming on there own and not blowing around looking like they cant control which way there going i wouldnt worry about haveing to much flow...

OnoIgotICH · 01/27/2008, 07:33 AM

Koralias are weak.

osprey77 · 01/27/2008, 07:50 AM

my fish love to surf the flow, i have over 70X turnover.

Fun $ Pit · 01/27/2008, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by OnoIgotICH
Koralias are weak.

Oh ... That helps.

+1 for your post count.

zotzer · 01/27/2008, 08:31 AM

What are you planning to keep in your tank? Barebottom SPS tanks have different flow requirements from sand-bottom softie tanks.

You'll discover that until you've had a fish for several months, anything you do in the tank can potentially upset them. Mine are at the point where they come to greet me when I approach the tank.....very different from the very early days when everyone would hide. LOL

Tracy

Sk8r · 01/27/2008, 08:51 AM

If your sand starts to walk, cut back: neither corals nor fish appreciate sand bits in their sensitive spots.

01/27/2008, 12:37 AM	#1
nmbeg Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 894	Is there such a thing as too much flow? I have a new 125-gallon setup with about 125 punds live rock. The conditions are stable, the algae is growing like it should, etc, but to keep detritus from accumulating on my DSB, i keep adding more and more pumps. I am now up to seven Maxi-jet 900's and two Koralia 3's. That puts me at about 8000 gph if I am doing my math right. That's twice the recommended 20-40x. I have two fish, and yellow tang and an oscillarus clown, both in there for two days now. The tang was adjusting well, starting to work on my algae, until I added the latest pumps (2 maxi's and the 2 koralias) today. Now he prefers to hide in a cave. I will give him a little time to adjust and if he doesn't come back out by tomorrow, I definitely will have to cut back on the flow. But otherwise, is there such a thing as too much flow for a reef system? What if I put on an oscillating timer, effectively cutting the flow in half? Would that be a better situation? Thanks for the help.

01/27/2008, 07:50 AM	#5
osprey77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Loveland CO Posts: 479	my fish love to surf the flow, i have over 70X turnover. __________________ RJ si vis pacem, para bellum Click my Red House for T5 Website Current Tank Info: 14g BioCube Kenya and shroom farm, 75 gallon BB Monti Dominated Reef

01/27/2008, 08:51 AM	#8
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	If your sand starts to walk, cut back: neither corals nor fish appreciate sand bits in their sensitive spots. __________________ 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%.

01/27/2008, 12:57 AM	#2
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	i have 68x turnover in my tank and the fish and corals love it. alot depends on the type of flow. the plain maxijets are harsh compared to the koralia's. you want the wide gental flow. ever think about modding a couple of the maxi jets?

01/27/2008, 01:03 AM	#3
jdmcivicek9 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: 39°N, -108°W AKA Somewhere in Colorado Posts: 578	i have 3565 GPH turnover in my tank and all my fish and corals love it also!! i have 2 modded maxi jets and an unmodded 1200 and a rio in my tank...its a 55gal tank anyway i dont think you can really have to much flow unless its blowing your corals and fish everywhere...then i would consider it to be to much flow but as long as the polyps are out on the coral and the fish seem to be swimming on there own and not blowing around looking like they cant control which way there going i wouldnt worry about haveing to much flow...

01/27/2008, 07:33 AM	#4
OnoIgotICH Moved On Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 287	Koralias are weak.

01/27/2008, 08:31 AM	#7
zotzer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 346	What are you planning to keep in your tank? Barebottom SPS tanks have different flow requirements from sand-bottom softie tanks. You'll discover that until you've had a fish for several months, anything you do in the tank can potentially upset them. Mine are at the point where they come to greet me when I approach the tank.....very different from the very early days when everyone would hide. LOL Tracy