How much flow do I need?

[texmex]

I am setting up a 125 gal reef and I want some professional advice on how much flow I need. I have two maxijet 1200. They are only rated for 295 gph each any suggestions on what I can do. What is the least I can go with and the max I can have? I am new to this so any advice would be great. Thanks

[JimD]

First thing would be to mention what you plan to keep, different scenerios require different routines. Right off the bat though, I would say that the Maxi's probably wont be enough on a tank that size.

[LoneStar]

Since you already have the MaxiJets, you can upgrade them with these:
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_searchItem~IdCategory~FIPHAC~breadcrumbsid~3934 952~searchlogtext~Accessories~logtype~current_cate gory~searchstep~1~pageindex~0~parsed~1~category~Sa ltwater_Aquarium_Supplies___Powerheads-Accessories~SearchText~sure%20flow,flow.html

They will give you a substantial boost in flow. Jim is right. Depending on what livestock you want to keep will direct how much flow you may need.

[justahobby]

Too much flow is not possible. You may have too much current pointed at one place, but never too much overall current. Alot of current in one place is bad for many reasons. THerefor I have found it best to use 2 powerheads for whirlpool current and koralias for happy coral and keeping rocks clean. On my 58 gal I used 2 695 gph powerheads and 2 koralia#1 (used for surface agitation) when I had FLRO. Now for coral, I recommend bigger koralias. Again everyone's different so its all IMO. GL

[texmex]

Since you already have the MaxiJets, you can upgrade them with these:
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_searchItem~IdCategory~FIPHAC~breadcrumbsid~3934 952~searchlogtext~Accessories~logtype~current_cate gory~searchstep~1~pageindex~0~parsed~1~category~Sa ltwater_Aquarium_Supplies___Powerheads-Accessories~SearchText~sure%20flow,flow.html

They will give you a substantial boost in flow. Jim is right. Depending on what livestock you want to keep will direct how much flow you may need.

thanks I think I will get me some of these

[fjr_wertheimber]

Yeah, too much overall flow is hard to do. For example, on my current tank I'm running an 900 gph return (which I think that rating is actually WAY conservative), a 3000gph Vortech MP40w, and a modded Tunze 6025 (~1600 gph) in a 60 gallon cube. So, we're looking at roughly 5500gph of flow in 60 gallon tank or roughly 91x turnover per hour.

[JimD]

You can definately have too much flow, like I said, it all depends on what you plan to keep. I wouldnt want tons of flow in a clam tank or an LPS tank with frogspawn, hammers and the like which require a more gentle, subtle indirect flow. Yes, you can have too much flow.

[texmex]

You can definately have too much flow, like I said, it all depends on what you plan to keep. I wouldnt want tons of flow in a clam tank or an LPS tank with frogspawn, hammers and the like which require a more gentle, subtle indirect flow. Yes, you can have too much flow.

well I plan on having maybe one or two clams that will be at the top of my tank since my lighting is not to strong and a few sps at the top and mostly lps towards the bottom. What do you think about me using the two maxi-jets after I get the the mods put on they will be 2100 gph each after that.

[JimD]

Actualy, those Maxi Mods work really well! Just have to be pretty good with your hands because the $15 ones require assembly.

[caferacermike]

No I don't think 2 Maxi's, even modded, will be enough. As was said by fjr, I run near 5,000 GPH in my 75g. You are talking about 2,400 (max) in a 125g. Not to mention that a 125g is kind of an odd sized tank. Great for viewing fish, but a bit troublesome for corals and aquascaping. I'm assuming that you have the standard 125 with dimensions near 72"x18"x20"? That creates a really long but narrow tank. In our freshwater 125 we have nearly 5,500 gph of flow just to keep crapola from settling into the substrate. If I was to make it into a reef I'd really want a Tunze wavebox for that tank. It would really help to calm the amount of current. It would allow huge volumes of water to move about gently and indirectly. You may need to at least consider some large pumps on a timer. IMO, the on thing you don't want to do in a tank like this is to have 2 giant pumps on either end blasting right into each other. 2 big pumps that pulse on and off with 2 medium sized pumps placed elsewhere to help break up the direction of the flow.

If it were my tank I'd build 2 large rock piles near each end with a nice open space in the middle. I'd treat each end as 2 separate tanks. I'd be thinking of using a 3,000 gph prop pump in each corner and then using 2 smaller units around 2,000gph placed in the middle of the tank blowing out to the far corner. Basically I'd be trying to swirl currents around the 2 rock structures instead of trying to direct currents all the way across the tank.

Xmas is coming, you might actually try wishing for a Tunze 6212, it would truly earn it's higher price in your tank. JG does not normally write in the forums except the for sale forums. If I remember correctly he had a tank of similar dimensions and he swore by his wavebox for helping to smooth out such a long tank.

[tony]

i agree, two modded maxis wont be enought

[texmex]

That sounds like a good idea mike dont think I will be getting a tunze I wish I could afford somthing like that I will probably just get a couple more maxi-jets after they are moded they are 2100 not 1200 I miss typed that when is put 1200. So that will give me 8400gph.