so I have a 56 gal soon to be reef set up, got about 50lbs of live rock and am slowly adding livestock, how much flow should I have min-max??
Do you mean flow into the sump of turnover of water in the tank?
just in the tank I am not running a sump as yet just looking for water movement what are you using now mike? If you still have the same tank then we have the same tank I am not sure if I should 2 koralia 2,3, or 4's like how much flow is too much
Part will depend on reef, FOWLR and what corals... x5 is a good baseline but it depends. This is a debated topic of discussion everywhere I checked and anyone I asked. I've heard from 4 - 10 times. A variable flow is best for sure especially in a reef.
In my 75 with an overflow it is x5. In tank is about x8 and in fuge 4 - 5 times/hr. a little slower for macroalgae growth & DSB.
that's my issue is everywhere I check I have seen anywhere from 10 to 100 X I guess I am more curious as to what is everyone using it is going to be a free with sps and lps
SPS require high light as well as high flow. They depend on it to deliver their food phytoplankton. Some LPS will be affected by to high a flow. I would strongly suggest a sump for SPS they require very low or no NO3 levels. In a sump you can run a skimmer and build a fuge or attach on. These greatly reduce NO3 and PO4 as well.
I was aiming for 7-8 times/hr. flow and use aquascaping to control flow for certain LPS. Pumps and powerhead ratings are rated at the highest possible in optimal operating conditions so over estimating is not a bad thing.
This topic was one of the most debated of almost all in SW setups next to DSB. What it came down for me was to start out with a little and added on until I had the flow to prevent any detris/food settling without the substrate ending up being suspended - with my corals being happy. Plus got tons of opinions from the pros first hand experience around here. In my 33g I started with 2 Maxi Jet 900s with a return pump x5. When I upgraded to my 75 used an Evolution 1400, 1024 & Korlia 2 with same pump at x5.
Hope some of that helps and doesn't cause more confussion? :D
I had my tank for years with with sps, no sump, yes I know the benefits, and before I bought my tank was considering options but at this point there is no room for a sump, so that is out of the option, as far as lighting goes I know what to do there I am just old now and can't remember how much flow I had on the tank prior
Quote from: Darth on August 15, 2010, 03:02:53 PM
just in the tank I am not running a sump as yet just looking for water movement what are you using now mike? If you still have the same tank then we have the same tank I am not sure if I should 2 koralia 2,3, or 4's like how much flow is too much
I merged your 56 old gallon and my old 56 gallon into a 110 gallon here: http://ovas.ca/index.php?topic=34498.msg217048#msg217048
I've always preferred the larger Koralia 4 positioned in the bottom 1/3 of the tank on the back wall pointing up and towards the front glass.
There are no good rules of thumb.
Sps require highest flow as you know. I'd go with two k3's to start.
You have to design your flow around the aquascape which can have a huge positive or negative effect on what you are trying to accomplish.
I am currently running 4 tanks with primarily SPS. I just did the math and found they are all running from 60 to 100 times. With the exception of my frag tank, which has a closed loop, all my pumps are variable flow. Being able to adjust your flow is truly the best solution.
My 144g has a turn over rate of 72 times and I dont think its enough flow even when the pumps are running at full tilt and not in the variable flow modes.
IMO anything under a 30 times turn over rate and you are just begging for problems down the road, but as its been pointed out there are a lot of factors to consider and no stead fast rule.
Hookups suggestion of 2 K3's would be a good starting point though.
I'm running two gold series hammerheads in CL's in my 180g
i think that's about 13,000 gph
its good IMO.... but I have really open rock work...
my 90g had one K4 and one K3 for a long time, grew SPS no issues... this is what I was base'ing my two K3 recommendations on BTW.
thanks for all the advice guys, again reason why I love this place, sad thing is this just confirms what I read on other sites basically the only room of thumb if it disturbs the sand bed it's too much, I guess the fish will get used to the flow.