? about night time flows

darimont · 10/22/2012, 07:30 AM

I have a 125 standard 6ft with one koralia mag6 in it right now. I just order a controller for temp control and wave maker functions along with another mag6 for the other end of the tank. I will be putting them in the wave function. My question is, will shutting them both off at night for 8 hours with just the returns running which is about 800 gph over night be enough? I only have LPS in the tank right now. Right now I leave the one mag6 running all night and the fish seem to stay at the other end of the tank which is calmer. I'm wanting to reduce flow at night to give the fish a better rest.

sirreal63 · 10/22/2012, 07:53 AM

It really doesn't matter to the fish, the ocean does not go into night time mode, the currents still flow, the wind still blows and waves still move. Gas exchange is very important at night, and creating a calmer flow can impact gas exchange. If you do create a lower night time flow, make sure the surface is still agitated.

freeswimmingfis · 10/22/2012, 08:14 AM

+1
No need to shut pumps off at night.

darimont · 10/22/2012, 08:32 AM

Ok guys thanks, I just leave them on. Does 2 mag 6's on alternating time seem about right to ya for a 6 foot tank? Also what would be a good time delay between the pumps?

sirreal63 · 10/22/2012, 08:38 AM

What corals are you keeping? In my old 125 I had about 9,000 gph and I didn't feel it was enough, but it was packed with SPS.

darimont · 10/22/2012, 08:41 AM

Right now only a hand full of LPS.

sirreal63 · 10/22/2012, 08:50 AM

What you have will probably be ok, as fas as the time interval for alternating flow, it won't matter a lot with LPS but I would go for as short of an interval as you can safely do just to help keep the tank clean and prevent too much settling of detritus.

darimont · 10/22/2012, 09:03 AM

sirreal,
Sounds good. Tank has been running with 1 mag6 for about 6 months now and it seems to do a pretty good job. It's a marineland tank with built in over flows that I have the returns y'ed pointed just slightly down and the mag on the side glass about half way up points towards the top middle and front middle. My rock work is pretty open and is about 3 to 4 inches off the back glass. Looks like 2 on a wave maker will be good for awhile.

sirreal63 · 10/22/2012, 09:09 AM

I don't think you will have any problems, those pumps put a nice stream which help carry the flow across the tank.

darimont · 10/22/2012, 09:17 AM

sirreal63,
Thanks for your help. Looks like I'm set to go for now.

10/22/2012, 07:30 AM	#1
darimont Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Aurora, Illinois Posts: 132	? about night time flows I have a 125 standard 6ft with one koralia mag6 in it right now. I just order a controller for temp control and wave maker functions along with another mag6 for the other end of the tank. I will be putting them in the wave function. My question is, will shutting them both off at night for 8 hours with just the returns running which is about 800 gph over night be enough? I only have LPS in the tank right now. Right now I leave the one mag6 running all night and the fish seem to stay at the other end of the tank which is calmer. I'm wanting to reduce flow at night to give the fish a better rest.

10/22/2012, 07:53 AM	#2
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	It really doesn't matter to the fish, the ocean does not go into night time mode, the currents still flow, the wind still blows and waves still move. Gas exchange is very important at night, and creating a calmer flow can impact gas exchange. If you do create a lower night time flow, make sure the surface is still agitated. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

10/22/2012, 08:14 AM	#3
freeswimmingfis Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Katy Tx Posts: 622	+1 No need to shut pumps off at night. __________________ 60x24x24, 2-AI Hydra 26HD, PM R36+ sump, WB HY-5000 pump, 2 MP40 WES, BRS Duel reactor, LifeReef Skimmer, Red Sea 50 Ozone

10/22/2012, 08:38 AM	#5
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	What corals are you keeping? In my old 125 I had about 9,000 gph and I didn't feel it was enough, but it was packed with SPS. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

10/22/2012, 08:50 AM	#7
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	What you have will probably be ok, as fas as the time interval for alternating flow, it won't matter a lot with LPS but I would go for as short of an interval as you can safely do just to help keep the tank clean and prevent too much settling of detritus. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

10/22/2012, 08:32 AM	#4
darimont Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Aurora, Illinois Posts: 132	Ok guys thanks, I just leave them on. Does 2 mag 6's on alternating time seem about right to ya for a 6 foot tank? Also what would be a good time delay between the pumps?

10/22/2012, 08:41 AM	#6
darimont Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Aurora, Illinois Posts: 132	Right now only a hand full of LPS.

10/22/2012, 09:03 AM	#8
darimont Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Aurora, Illinois Posts: 132	sirreal, Sounds good. Tank has been running with 1 mag6 for about 6 months now and it seems to do a pretty good job. It's a marineland tank with built in over flows that I have the returns y'ed pointed just slightly down and the mag on the side glass about half way up points towards the top middle and front middle. My rock work is pretty open and is about 3 to 4 inches off the back glass. Looks like 2 on a wave maker will be good for awhile. Last edited by darimont; 10/22/2012 at 09:09 AM.

10/22/2012, 09:09 AM	#9
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	I don't think you will have any problems, those pumps put a nice stream which help carry the flow across the tank. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

10/22/2012, 09:17 AM	#10
darimont Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Aurora, Illinois Posts: 132	sirreal63, Thanks for your help. Looks like I'm set to go for now.