32 Gallon AIO Flowplan

chaseworth611 · Jan 28, 2026

I have a 32 gallon helloreef cube, and I recently purchased the nero 3 powerhead! This is my current plan, what should I change? Any and all advice is appreciated.

TX_REEF · Jan 28, 2026

Congrats on the new tank!

I like your idea of lower power at night, but I'd still recommend a randomized or pulse mode - unidirectional flow is not natural for corals, which will appreciate some more chaotic water movement. You'll just have to see how it works in your tank. Pump placement is arguably more important than pump settings, and is dictated by your rockscape and coral placement.

chaseworth611 · Jan 28, 2026

TX_REEF said:
Congrats on the new tank!

I like your idea of lower power at night, but I'd still recommend a randomized or pulse mode - unidirectional flow is not natural for corals, which will appreciate some more chaotic water movement. You'll just have to see how it works in your tank. Pump placement is arguably more important than pump settings, and is dictated by your rockscape and coral placement.

Which do you prefer? I'm worried it's too strong at the moment with my clowns preferring to not move out of the corner and one now in hiding... So I'm trying to see if it was my flow that was exhausting them.

Like what's more "natural" for the tank? What's the difference between "random" and "pulse"?

TX_REEF · Jan 28, 2026

chaseworth611 said:
Which do you prefer? I'm worried it's too strong at the moment with my clowns preferring to not move out of the corner and one now in hiding... So I'm trying to see if it was my flow that was exhausting them.

Like what's more "natural" for the tank? What's the difference between "random" and "pulse"?

I'd argue that random is the most "natural" just by definition. I am a fan of pulse though because visually I like how it makes the corals and anemones move. I alternate between random and pulse in my systems (I do not use that same pump, though)

chaseworth611 · Jan 28, 2026

TX_REEF said:
I'd argue that random is the most "natural" just by definition. I am a fan of pulse though because visually I like how it makes the corals and anemones move. I alternate between random and pulse in my systems (I do not use that same pump, though)