Flow for my 100gal Reef?

familiar1985 · 12/05/2008, 05:34 PM

Looking for some advice with flow. My tank is 100 gal 60" by 18" by 20". Stocking LPS and SPS clams, mushrooms and polyps. Will endup being about 50% sps.

The flow is currently a Mag 12 return (1200gph) going through Switching Current Water Director(diverter that switches flow from one return to another return every 9 seconds on my setup). I also have a Koralia 4 and a maxijet 1200 w/ a rottating flow deflector.

I really like the way the SCWD works. The flow isn't continuous so corals like it better. I feel that the Koralia 4 is too strong and consistent in my tank. The mj1200 i might leave in because you cant see it.

I was thinking maybe sending back the Koralia 4 and a Seio 620 i have i dont need and ordering 2 Koralia 3's or 2's. Which ones would work better for this setup?

My other option which i also like but its a lot more money is getting an external closed loop type Pump(1500+GPH) and have it go through a SCWD. The flow from this setup would be much nicer and completely random(never the same as one would divert at 9 sec, while the other does at 13sec or so.) The problem i have with this situation is the power consumption. How come a decent external pump pushing 1500+ gph is like 100 watts or so while koralia 4 pushes 1200gph for like 12 watts? Do the external pumps really require 10 times more energy then the Koralia?

jvr1102 · 12/05/2008, 11:01 PM

In my 90 I have a Mag12, SCWD, and three Mj1200's with the upgraded fan shroud type accessory that increases flow an additional 25% if I remember correctly. This set up has given my corals some nice flow for almost a year and half

crvz · 12/06/2008, 07:08 AM

Yes, the external pump does require that much more power because it's doing considerably more work. The koralia uses a propeller to push water in gentle stream, whereas the pump is blowing water out like a jet against a large head pressure in most cases.

Also, your mag pump is surely not pushing anywhere near 1200 gallons per hour if it's acting as your return pump and being plumbed through a scwd. You could credibly be at a third that flow rate with that much going on, so keep that in mind if you're calculating your total tank flow for some reason or another.

familiar1985 · 12/06/2008, 03:21 PM

How much does SCWD slow down the flow? Head pressure doesn't bother mag too much. I didnt notice any difference from feeling flow with my hand from before i installed the SCWD and after. I was thinking its like a 1000gph+ now.

crvz · 12/06/2008, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by familiar1985
How much does SCWD slow down the flow? Head pressure doesn't bother mag too much. I didnt notice any difference from feeling flow with my hand from before i installed the SCWD and after. I was thinking its like a 1000gph+ now.

How far below is the pump from the display (how much vertical head pressure is on it)?

familiar1985 · 12/06/2008, 06:28 PM

its at 4 feet, marine depot says its 1130 at 4 feet. But i wanted to try to replace the Mag12 with a Reeflo Dart and run the input of the dart to come from the Sump and the Main all back into the main. I was thinking maybe 1000gph from sump and the rest from Main into the input of Reeflo and out of the reeflo back to Main. If i can do this it would really work nice for me. What do you think?

trpigg · 12/06/2008, 06:43 PM

Just installed two hydor koralia 4's on a 72...they are great and look good too! But i feel this is a bit much...my sps polyps arent as open as before...i dont know if this is the reason though!! I was told that sps like as much flow as possible.

familiar1985 · 12/06/2008, 08:41 PM

im kinda having trouble keeping anything next to the koralia 4 with my tank dimensions. I think they would work better on a tank that 24" tall and wide, gallons dont really matter. The little streams it produces are pretty powerfull. I think in my tank 2 Koralia 3's or 2's would work better but i have noticed how the corals like random current so now im questioning if that will be random enough and enough flow. I might just go with a couple controllable tunzes or maxijets w/ the mod. So hard to decide.

biecacka · 12/06/2008, 09:21 PM

most corals (sps) do like flow, but dont get that confused as direct flow. make sure the water flow is not pointed right at the coral and make sure they are not too close to the pump. try pointing them at the glass to "bounce" the flow around, or point them so they meet and blast each other thus sending water in all directions. just my .02

12/05/2008, 05:34 PM	#1
familiar1985 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 321	Flow for my 100gal Reef? Looking for some advice with flow. My tank is 100 gal 60" by 18" by 20". Stocking LPS and SPS clams, mushrooms and polyps. Will endup being about 50% sps. The flow is currently a Mag 12 return (1200gph) going through Switching Current Water Director(diverter that switches flow from one return to another return every 9 seconds on my setup). I also have a Koralia 4 and a maxijet 1200 w/ a rottating flow deflector. I really like the way the SCWD works. The flow isn't continuous so corals like it better. I feel that the Koralia 4 is too strong and consistent in my tank. The mj1200 i might leave in because you cant see it. I was thinking maybe sending back the Koralia 4 and a Seio 620 i have i dont need and ordering 2 Koralia 3's or 2's. Which ones would work better for this setup? My other option which i also like but its a lot more money is getting an external closed loop type Pump(1500+GPH) and have it go through a SCWD. The flow from this setup would be much nicer and completely random(never the same as one would divert at 9 sec, while the other does at 13sec or so.) The problem i have with this situation is the power consumption. How come a decent external pump pushing 1500+ gph is like 100 watts or so while koralia 4 pushes 1200gph for like 12 watts? Do the external pumps really require 10 times more energy then the Koralia?

12/06/2008, 07:08 AM	#3
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	Yes, the external pump does require that much more power because it's doing considerably more work. The koralia uses a propeller to push water in gentle stream, whereas the pump is blowing water out like a jet against a large head pressure in most cases. Also, your mag pump is surely not pushing anywhere near 1200 gallons per hour if it's acting as your return pump and being plumbed through a scwd. You could credibly be at a third that flow rate with that much going on, so keep that in mind if you're calculating your total tank flow for some reason or another. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

12/06/2008, 06:43 PM	#7
trpigg Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 193	Just installed two hydor koralia 4's on a 72...they are great and look good too! But i feel this is a bit much...my sps polyps arent as open as before...i dont know if this is the reason though!! I was told that sps like as much flow as possible. __________________ Reefing is the coolest thing since "sliced bread." Current Tank Info: 72 gal RR bow front, 25 gal sump/refugium, 105lbs Premium tonga deep water LR, 80 lbs LS, 760w metal halide retro lighting

12/05/2008, 11:01 PM	#2
jvr1102 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 521	In my 90 I have a Mag12, SCWD, and three Mj1200's with the upgraded fan shroud type accessory that increases flow an additional 25% if I remember correctly. This set up has given my corals some nice flow for almost a year and half

12/06/2008, 03:21 PM	#4
familiar1985 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 321	How much does SCWD slow down the flow? Head pressure doesn't bother mag too much. I didnt notice any difference from feeling flow with my hand from before i installed the SCWD and after. I was thinking its like a 1000gph+ now.

12/06/2008, 06:28 PM	#6
familiar1985 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 321	its at 4 feet, marine depot says its 1130 at 4 feet. But i wanted to try to replace the Mag12 with a Reeflo Dart and run the input of the dart to come from the Sump and the Main all back into the main. I was thinking maybe 1000gph from sump and the rest from Main into the input of Reeflo and out of the reeflo back to Main. If i can do this it would really work nice for me. What do you think?

12/06/2008, 08:41 PM	#8
familiar1985 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 321	im kinda having trouble keeping anything next to the koralia 4 with my tank dimensions. I think they would work better on a tank that 24" tall and wide, gallons dont really matter. The little streams it produces are pretty powerfull. I think in my tank 2 Koralia 3's or 2's would work better but i have noticed how the corals like random current so now im questioning if that will be random enough and enough flow. I might just go with a couple controllable tunzes or maxijets w/ the mod. So hard to decide.

12/06/2008, 09:21 PM	#9
biecacka Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 6,361	most corals (sps) do like flow, but dont get that confused as direct flow. make sure the water flow is not pointed right at the coral and make sure they are not too close to the pump. try pointing them at the glass to "bounce" the flow around, or point them so they meet and blast each other thus sending water in all directions. just my .02