How much flow is TOO much flow?

XylemUP · 04/07/2015, 01:25 AM

I have a hydor koralia 1 (400 gph) in my biocube 14. Nothing in there but rock at the moment while I cycle.

Is that too much? The stock pump is 137 gph. So 537 gph I suppose. Grains of sand can be seen blowing away occasionally if observed closely.

I'm really only using this powerhead cause I had it laying around. Should I go smaller, or will this be fine?

Oh, starting fowlr with just 1 clown fish + CUC until I can afford to spend a bunch of money on something good like a kessil. lol

nmotz · 04/07/2015, 02:10 AM

This is a question that might generate a wide variety of responses because there are only general guidelines based on anecdotal evidence. In short, this is fairly high flow for your tank, but there really isn't any danger to it. In a reef tank, high flow can stress out some corals so that is the primary consideration for determining how much flow to use in the tank. If you want to keep your substrate in place, aim the powerhead towards the surface or maybe get a coarser substrate. I think high flow is good though because it prevents dead spots and keeps a lot of detritus from settling.

XylemUP · 04/07/2015, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nmotz

This is a question that might generate a wide variety of responses because there are only general guidelines based on anecdotal evidence. In short, this is fairly high flow for your tank, but there really isn't any danger to it. In a reef tank, high flow can stress out some corals so that is the primary consideration for determining how much flow to use in the tank. If you want to keep your substrate in place, aim the powerhead towards the surface or maybe get a coarser substrate. I think high flow is good though because it prevents dead spots and keeps a lot of detritus from settling.

Alright. Well, I guess I'll just have to wait until I get my first fish. I can always buy a smaller one then if needed.

nmotz · 04/07/2015, 02:22 AM

yeah if you just have a fowlr I wouldn't change anything

XylemUP · 04/07/2015, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nmotz

yeah if you just have a fowlr I wouldn't change anything

Actually, after monitoring the energy consumption of said powerhead...

It would cost *three cents per hour* to run.

$259 per year.

I'll just be getting a new powerhead. Lol.

Johnnycat · 04/07/2015, 06:29 AM

I've really relaxed my position on "too much flow" after observing surge and current while scuba diving. Granted there's a whole lot more space for the fish to swim or roll with the current, but there are huge shifts occurring out there and the corals and fish don't seem to mind it.

I guess if your fish are getting smacked against the side of your tank you have too much flow. The other side of that is how much do you really need? At a minimum you want to keep enough flow to prevent dead spots and keep any detritus suspended. After that it varies with what you're trying to accomplish with corals, etc.

ryeguyy84 · 04/07/2015, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XylemUP

Actually, after monitoring the energy consumption of said powerhead...

It would cost *three cents per hour* to run.

$259 per year.

I'll just be getting a new powerhead. Lol.

What did you use to calculate that? I'm afraid of what my tank costs per hour if your one powerhead is $250 a year

acrohead500ppm · 04/07/2015, 11:15 AM

When it comes to providing flow for corals, its really hard to use numbers/ GPH.

There is a difference between enough flow and the right kind of flow.

LeRenard · 04/07/2015, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XylemUP

Actually, after monitoring the energy consumption of said powerhead...

It would cost *three cents per hour* to run.

$259 per year.

I'll just be getting a new powerhead. Lol.

Whoa, either your powerhead is using an amazing amount of power or you pay an incredible amount for electricity. My Koralia 600 pulls about 4 watts on my Kill-O-Watt at full tilt which at my electricity costs is about $4.50 a year running it 24/7.

anthonys51 · 04/07/2015, 12:45 PM

yes almost 22 dollars a month for a power-head seems a lot. i am in new york with high rates and my fridge cost me 60 a month about. lol either my firdge is really small or you have a monster powerhead

PIPSTER · 04/07/2015, 12:49 PM

The only problem I had with too much flow in my tank, was constant blowing the sand, oolite sugar sized, around, clouding up the tank where I couldn't even see.
If your water is clear, you should be ok.

JoeVandal49 · 04/07/2015, 04:18 PM

I don't believe you are even close to pushing the limit. My math could be off but you only have 38x turn over.

I currently have 120X + turnover in my 55g and want to add more.

There are guys on these forums that have 250X turnover or more.

Watch the direct velocity of the flow and youll be fine. Most of this discussion of flow however will have no effect on your fish and CUC. Its really not a huge deal for a FOWLR system as long as there is enough flow to keep the fish active and healthy.

nuxx · 04/07/2015, 04:26 PM

If your coral starts breaking, maybe you have too much flow

Just had a piece of acropora snap in half that was a little too close a WP60 :/

04/07/2015, 01:25 AM	#1
XylemUP Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 9	How much flow is TOO much flow? I have a hydor koralia 1 (400 gph) in my biocube 14. Nothing in there but rock at the moment while I cycle. Is that too much? The stock pump is 137 gph. So 537 gph I suppose. Grains of sand can be seen blowing away occasionally if observed closely. I'm really only using this powerhead cause I had it laying around. Should I go smaller, or will this be fine? Oh, starting fowlr with just 1 clown fish + CUC until I can afford to spend a bunch of money on something good like a kessil. lol

04/07/2015, 02:10 AM	#2
nmotz Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: FL, USA Posts: 1,433	This is a question that might generate a wide variety of responses because there are only general guidelines based on anecdotal evidence. In short, this is fairly high flow for your tank, but there really isn't any danger to it. In a reef tank, high flow can stress out some corals so that is the primary consideration for determining how much flow to use in the tank. If you want to keep your substrate in place, aim the powerhead towards the surface or maybe get a coarser substrate. I think high flow is good though because it prevents dead spots and keeps a lot of detritus from settling. __________________ Mantis shrimp are the best! Current Tank Info: 20L Peacock mantis shrimp tank

04/07/2015, 02:22 AM	#4
nmotz Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: FL, USA Posts: 1,433	yeah if you just have a fowlr I wouldn't change anything __________________ Mantis shrimp are the best! Current Tank Info: 20L Peacock mantis shrimp tank

04/07/2015, 04:26 PM	#13
nuxx RC Sponsor Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 3,990	If your coral starts breaking, maybe you have too much flow Just had a piece of acropora snap in half that was a little too close a WP60 :/ __________________ Peter TankStop - Fish and Coral 470G Display - Build Thread Current Tank Info: Retired - 470 Gallon Mixed Reef (120x29x31")

04/07/2015, 06:29 AM	#6
Johnnycat Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 86	I've really relaxed my position on "too much flow" after observing surge and current while scuba diving. Granted there's a whole lot more space for the fish to swim or roll with the current, but there are huge shifts occurring out there and the corals and fish don't seem to mind it. I guess if your fish are getting smacked against the side of your tank you have too much flow. The other side of that is how much do you really need? At a minimum you want to keep enough flow to prevent dead spots and keep any detritus suspended. After that it varies with what you're trying to accomplish with corals, etc.

04/07/2015, 11:15 AM	#8
acrohead500ppm Moved On Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: No,never,never Posts: 723	When it comes to providing flow for corals, its really hard to use numbers/ GPH. There is a difference between enough flow and the right kind of flow.

04/07/2015, 12:45 PM	#10
anthonys51 Registered Member. Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Kings Park, NY Posts: 2,789	yes almost 22 dollars a month for a power-head seems a lot. i am in new york with high rates and my fridge cost me 60 a month about. lol either my firdge is really small or you have a monster powerhead

04/07/2015, 12:49 PM	#11
PIPSTER Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 291	The only problem I had with too much flow in my tank, was constant blowing the sand, oolite sugar sized, around, clouding up the tank where I couldn't even see. If your water is clear, you should be ok.

04/07/2015, 04:18 PM	#12
JoeVandal49 Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 360	I don't believe you are even close to pushing the limit. My math could be off but you only have 38x turn over. I currently have 120X + turnover in my 55g and want to add more. There are guys on these forums that have 250X turnover or more. Watch the direct velocity of the flow and youll be fine. Most of this discussion of flow however will have no effect on your fish and CUC. Its really not a huge deal for a FOWLR system as long as there is enough flow to keep the fish active and healthy.