Tank turnover

[TwistedMind]

I know more is usually better in this department. However, I am currently sitting at around 24 X an hour just figuring for Gross Water volume, If I figure for net water volume its closer to 30x an hour.


Are their any corals I should avoid with this flow rate ?

[alton]

Frogspawn

[hobogato]

and bubble coral

unless you have a specific area of low flow.

[allan]

On a smaller concern, any prolific softy (fairy dust, bam bams, Xenia) will cause problems.

It's been my experience that when they get in full colony mode they tend to over crowd and clumps and individuals will break off. In high flow I imagine that this will occur more often and you will end up with many more colonies starting up in various other areas.

[TwistedMind]

So my turnover is good? I don't need to increase it? I was reading over on RC and people were recommending 50 x turnover, that seems a bit excessive but im new so I didnt know.

[rrasco]

The amount of water turned over isn't as important as where it's directed. For example, my 105 has two koralia 1050s, a koralia 1400, and the return pump around 500gph. Going by manufacturer specs and not accounting for other variables, that is around 40x turnover. I don't have a problem keeping a frogspawn (grapefruit sized), a 9 head duncan, or my kryptonite candy canes...but they are in lower flow areas. The problem I have had is directing too much flow at any of these corals specifically, it's been a real test to adjust the flow adequately for the tank and not blast these corals at the same time. I had to essentially put all these corals in the same vicinity to accomplish that, but for now they are happy.

Frogspawn is definitely one of the corals that does much better with very minimal direct flow. Anything with large soft polyps that can be be blown hard enough to bend around/into the skeletal structure is not good. That's what I mainly look out for and try to avoid when adjusting flow/coral positioning.

[RayAllen]

Softies and several LPS are not going to be thrilled with your water flow, unless you can find those low current spots.

A high turn over rate is a old rule of thumb that is out dated.

Look at it this way. Water from the aquarium is draining down to your sump/fuge. You want that water in contact with your macro algae for as long as it can be to assure maximum results as far as nutrients movement, pods etc. are concerned. You do not want the water jetting through your fuge or it is pretty much useless. Same with a skimmer or if you are running any media- carbon etc... Its best the water go through slowly to have prolonged contact.

I think the majority of us now have the water flow through our sump/fuges at a slower rate and in the display tank we use our power heads, MPs or what ever you prefer to create the desired flow in the display.

My tank as example.

40g breeder with a sump that holds a additional 20gs of water at running height- total volume ~60gs. My return is a Mag 9.5 and when I calculate the loss of head its running 800gph into the display. That is a 20x turnover. I have that dialed down with a ball valve to restrict the flow. So I am guessing im pushing 600gph or 15x. Which is still a little high..

I will be adding a MP10 to provide the displays main flow. And If I want to get any of those Fancy sticks they call SPS I will be set, but my tank will be mostly Softies and some LPS.

[350gt]

Go with a vortech..... Select the amount of flow you need to please your corals!



Jk...... But I would never use another powerhead...