Question about turnover rate/powerheads

dmarq · 03/26/2015, 03:09 PM

Hey everyone!
I'm relatively new to this forum (and this hobby) so excuse me if my questions sound a bit stupid.

I'm setting up a 30 gallon reef and I was wondering what turnover rate I should have for the tank. I was thinking of starting on shrooms and lps but eventually add in sps for a mixed reef (do you think this is advisable/possible in a 30?). I was thinking of a turnover rate of about 40...

As much as I'd love to invest on an MP10 or MP40, my budget does not allow for it. I currently have an AC70 with a rate of 300 gph and I was thinking of buying two hydor Koralia 425s and a smart wave pump controller. That would give me the turnover rate of ~40 and I could always add another 425 or 240 down the line to increase turnover...

Do you guys think that would work? Or should I bump the turnover rate up some more/less? Or get the Koralia 600s instead? What are your thoughts on the Hydor Koralias? Are there any other brands/powerheads you guys would suggest within the same price range?

Sorry for this long post, I just have a lot of questions

rathos · 03/26/2015, 11:09 PM

I have two of the nano 425 Koralias hooked up to the Hydor wave maker. Setup was roughly a hundred bucks (currently have a bio cube 29). I had to set it in the mode that switches between the two as if I had them both running at once it was too much in my tank. I also upgraded my main pump to a 325 GPH unit. I think anything more than that at least in my tank is overkill. I had thought about an MP10 or one of the smaller gyre units, but since the two Koralias were too much I can't imagine using those.

I think the biggest thing is placement. My main pump is on the back wall, so I placed the Koralias on opposite walls, as high as they can go and at opposite ends. This keeps a very circular motion in the tank and helps to avoid dead spots. My corals are doing pretty good (mostly softies and LPS, though I have one SPS I am trying out) and my fish like the flow as well. The only way more power might be needed is if you have a longer tank. If that was the case the 600s might work better for you.

dmarq · 03/27/2015, 12:40 AM

Thanks! I think I'll get the 425 Koralias with the maker and see how it goes.

NanoReefWanabe · 03/27/2015, 09:05 AM

persoanlly i would get the jebao rw4's, or even 8's….there is no such thing as too much flow in a tank, unless you are peeling the flesh of the corals, and then you have too much direct flow and need to change pumps…

i have a wp10 in my 5g tank (which is round) and the corals on one side barely move with the pump set on full…i need more pump. but have no room…

homer1475 · 03/27/2015, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rathos

I have two of the nano 425 Koralias hooked up to the Hydor wave maker. Setup was roughly a hundred bucks (currently have a bio cube 29). I had to set it in the mode that switches between the two as if I had them both running at once it was too much in my tank. I also upgraded my main pump to a 325 GPH unit. I think anything more than that at least in my tank is overkill. I had thought about an MP10 or one of the smaller gyre units, but since the two Koralias were too much I can't imagine using those.

I think the biggest thing is placement. My main pump is on the back wall, so I placed the Koralias on opposite walls, as high as they can go and at opposite ends. This keeps a very circular motion in the tank and helps to avoid dead spots. My corals are doing pretty good (mostly softies and LPS, though I have one SPS I am trying out) and my fish like the flow as well. The only way more power might be needed is if you have a longer tank. If that was the case the 600s might work better for you.

Kind of how I have my biocube setup, with a few mods in placement. My hydor 425's are on opposite sides, but with the one on the left pointing into my rockwork to avoid deadspots. Right side is near the top pointing toward the middle of the tank. Seems to be working very well.

I also upgraded the main pump and added a loc-line Y adapter in the back, with 2 2 1/2" fan nozzle. They are directed across the top of the water with one pointing across the right middle, and the other across the left side.

SpikeDangles · 03/27/2015, 12:42 PM

Was thinking of going with the koralias 425s as well. following along.

03/26/2015, 03:09 PM	#1
dmarq Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 12	Question about turnover rate/powerheads Hey everyone! I'm relatively new to this forum (and this hobby) so excuse me if my questions sound a bit stupid. I'm setting up a 30 gallon reef and I was wondering what turnover rate I should have for the tank. I was thinking of starting on shrooms and lps but eventually add in sps for a mixed reef (do you think this is advisable/possible in a 30?). I was thinking of a turnover rate of about 40... As much as I'd love to invest on an MP10 or MP40, my budget does not allow for it. I currently have an AC70 with a rate of 300 gph and I was thinking of buying two hydor Koralia 425s and a smart wave pump controller. That would give me the turnover rate of ~40 and I could always add another 425 or 240 down the line to increase turnover... Do you guys think that would work? Or should I bump the turnover rate up some more/less? Or get the Koralia 600s instead? What are your thoughts on the Hydor Koralias? Are there any other brands/powerheads you guys would suggest within the same price range? Sorry for this long post, I just have a lot of questions Last edited by dmarq; 03/26/2015 at 03:46 PM.

03/26/2015, 11:09 PM	#2
rathos Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 99	I have two of the nano 425 Koralias hooked up to the Hydor wave maker. Setup was roughly a hundred bucks (currently have a bio cube 29). I had to set it in the mode that switches between the two as if I had them both running at once it was too much in my tank. I also upgraded my main pump to a 325 GPH unit. I think anything more than that at least in my tank is overkill. I had thought about an MP10 or one of the smaller gyre units, but since the two Koralias were too much I can't imagine using those. I think the biggest thing is placement. My main pump is on the back wall, so I placed the Koralias on opposite walls, as high as they can go and at opposite ends. This keeps a very circular motion in the tank and helps to avoid dead spots. My corals are doing pretty good (mostly softies and LPS, though I have one SPS I am trying out) and my fish like the flow as well. The only way more power might be needed is if you have a longer tank. If that was the case the 600s might work better for you.

03/27/2015, 12:40 AM	#3
dmarq Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 12	Thanks! I think I'll get the 425 Koralias with the maker and see how it goes.

03/27/2015, 09:05 AM	#4
NanoReefWanabe Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 6,639	persoanlly i would get the jebao rw4's, or even 8's….there is no such thing as too much flow in a tank, unless you are peeling the flesh of the corals, and then you have too much direct flow and need to change pumps… i have a wp10 in my 5g tank (which is round) and the corals on one side barely move with the pump set on full…i need more pump. but have no room…

03/27/2015, 12:42 PM	#6
SpikeDangles Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Norwalk CT Posts: 126	Was thinking of going with the koralias 425s as well. following along.