SPS?

[SLAYCHILD]

How much flow should I have for my filtration for SPS corals in my 29gl?

[Jimnorris]

Hard to answer because different SPSs like different types of flow. What kind are you keeping?
Jim

[NaCl_H2O]

Sorry to change the subjet, but ....

Jim, I want that clam in your Avitar :P

[Jimnorris]

That was one of my favorite maximas. I have a great story about this clam.
Now back to SPSs and their flow requirements.
Jim

[SLAYCHILD]

Well i dont have any as of yet. Just want to make sure everything is ready for them.

[Jimnorris]

General rule of tumb is medium to high----but this is not always true. To high and tissue is destroyed. Then there is direct and indirect flow.
Acros mostly high and montis mostly medium. This is what makes keeping SPSs so fun!
Once you decide on what kind I maybe able to help more????
Jim

[SLAYCHILD]

Well its hard to tell what is medium and high flow. I have 2 powerheads in my tank. A maxijet900 and a 600. Should I have more?

[Ram_Puppy]

When I had my 30 hex I had a Mag 4 driving a SCWD and my millipora seemed happy. be careful about adding an abundance of powerheads, especially ones that run hot, to a tank that size.

I know people will jump on me for this, but I really like powersweep powerheads. as long as you take care of them, they work great.

I have one, and I give it a dunk in a muratic acid solution about once every 3 months, it never ever stops on me.

[Derek B]

Jim, What about flow requirements for Pocilliopora (sp?) or Bird's nest (what pora is that? :)).

Did you set up flow zones on your old tank here in Texas?

[Jimnorris]

Derek,
This is the flow setup on my old tank (my new is a mini version) Along the top back eight maxijet 1200s hooked up to two Redsea Pro wavemakers. Two closed loop systems using two Mag 24s each going into a SCWD. In each rear bottom corner there was a RIO 2500. I use a Marineland 350 canister filter that fed into my chiller. Return from the sump I used a Mag 18 that fed into two 3/4 Seaswirls. This created several flow zones which my SPSs loved. The only sps I could never keep was a birdsnest?????? Anyhow this is my way but the great thing about this hobby there are so many ways to do things!!!!!
Jim

[gjuarez]

Derek, a bird's nest is a seriatopora. Its name is seriatopora hystrix. Jim, what do you think the reason was you couldnt keep a bird's nest.

Slay, I think the best way to add flow to your tank would be with a closed loop. I have a tunze 6060 in my 29 but its too bulky in a tank this size in my opinion.

[Jimnorris]

Birdsnest---good question (maybe too much flow???) I tried several times. Once I imported a huge colony (about 18 inches) it melted away. Then Minh gave me about two dozen frags--all melted away???? And I think Tim gave me afew frags to try and same results????
Jim

[JimD]

Birds nests are extremely finicky corals. One day theyre fine, the next, whammo, rtn. Ive never had the greatest luck with them either,. Theyre very demanding as far as water flow goes, positioning in the tank, lighting and >co-habitation with other corals< They dont seem to do well in a mixed reef especially if theres leathers in the area. Theyed probably do better in an sps only tank given the right conditions.

[gjuarez]

Wow, 18 inch colony? That thing must have been gigantic. Did you at least get a pic? OKay, so Jim says it could be too much flow, while Jim says it could be lack of flow. Which Jim to believe?

[JimD]

lol, I didnt say lack of flow, I said they could be demanding as far as flow goes.

[gjuarez]

Oh.. My bad..

[C.Mydas]

IMO...
Think of them as plants. They'll tell you if their not happy. If you have a plant in a window it doesn't get enough light in, its gonna wither...same with SPS and flow..and light...and water conditions.

We've got 3 birdsnest, all are doing and have been doing great...extremely fast growers. High light and moderate flow on ours (low flow in our tank is moderate to most people...its sportin 5 tunzes in a 150g). They are my favorite, we've got pink and green and I LOVE them more than the SPS in there...lol.