At my wits end with flow!

[EtaZeta]

Hi all,

I intend to do an intro with pics and all but I'm hoping to solve this issue first.

I just took down my 13.5 tank and upgraded to an IM Nuvo 20 long. I absolutely love it and the added space, filtration room, etc. is amazing. My reef is all soft/lps, oddly I'm just not a big fan of sps so it keeps things simple. As you probably know the Nuvo 20 has 2 overflows and two returns. Everything is doing amazingly well but I can't figure out flow. I started with just the dual 130 gph stock return pumps and it was really decent by itself. I then added two of the spinstream nozzles which did create randomness, but due to the design of the nozzle it drastically cut down on flow in terms of coral "movement". My thought was to jump up to 2 of the desktop DC pumps to just blast more power out of the spinstreams. The issue is the way I am running my skimmer I can't fit two of those in the orientation necessary.

Moving on, I have two MP10s from a large tank a few years back so I brought them out. The flow was violent, even at 1% (which I know isn't technically 1% of the max). Most of the corals were okay but zoas didn't like it and mushrooms were near detachment. Also my BTA which has been comfy for months was probably going to start moving as it was flopping around. Tried just one MP10 and results were similar but more on one side of the tank. Plus I actually hate the dry side size look of those monsters.

Today I picked up a Sicce Voyager Nano 1000 and installed back right side angled towards the surface. Again the flow is okay but the mushrooms were about to tear off the rock. One thing I am considering is adding one more Sicce opposite this one so they would "crash" into each other maybe creating good turbulence but not that hurricane winds look.

Also considering the IM DC wave maker (or 2), AI Nero 3 (or 2). I just want really good motion but not that look where tissue is hanging on for dear life. Budget isn't much concern if I can get this right.

In short, I would like to stick with the return situation I have but add 1-2 really low flow heads or DC wave makers. I would LOVE to be able to put something on the back wall to stay even cleaner, but not a requirement. I know this topic gets beat to death so I appreciate the time to read and respond.

Thanks all

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[exnisstech]

I have the same tank. I run a jebao dcw 1500 return instead of the two stock pumps. It's running at 2/3 speed. I have 2 MP10s one on each end both in reefcrest one at 35% and the other at 40%. I have 2 clams on the rocks and two on the bottom and the flow isn't strong enough to fold their mantles over. I don't have any return nozzles I tried RFG but wasn't impressed and the stock ones stuck out too far causing too much shade.

 

[EtaZeta]

I have two thoughts based on your reply, which I appreciate by the way.

One - I think the two pumps facing each other is important. My current (pardon the pun) setup has one pump sweeping vs two crashing against each other.

Two - I’ve read somewhere that over time the MP10s can have some programming issues causing the need for them to be reset. I’m wondering now if I do a hard reset they will function more properly from a percentage of flow standpoint.

I’m going to try both today. Thanks again.

 

[Bear22]

Agree on the MP10. To say that they are "nano" pumps is a stretch. They're way too big, clunky, and powerful. Why can't Ecotech make a true nano wavemaker in terms of size/footprint?

 

[EtaZeta]

MP Nano would sell like crazy!

 

[rtparty]

I ran an MP10 on a 7g cube for like 6-8 months with no problems. One MP10 is not too much on that size tank

 

[minus9]

Tunze 6040 hub edition on the back panel and enjoy the tank. The magnets can go in the back chamber so you don't have to have ph's on the side glass. The 6040 is one of the best nano pumps out there and they last forever! I have two that are 10 years old and still going strong and I can upgrade them both to the new hub edition controllers, can't say that for other pumps. Plus the flow you can dial in is amazing.

 

[Chessmanmark]

 

[EtaZeta]

I actually have two of those Hygger pumps in my cart right now. I love that Tunze. Would you run one or two of those? Can you add an extra pump to the controller or does it require one controller per pump?

As of right now I have reset my MP10 pumps and have them across from each other. I am running them in a strange way which is feed mode at 40%. Any other setting I tried kept the pumps at 400+ gph even at 1%. Feed mode at 40% is putting them both at about 300 gph and it's perfect flow. It does put the dry side sticking out the sides though, so, flow solved but not aesthetics.

I really appreciate everyone chiming in. I'm almost there.

Cheers!

 

[Chessmanmark]

So the one I bought five years ago has a digital display controller. The one I posted earlier I bought two months ago and you press a button to change wave patterns, however this pump is $30 cheaper. They both have their uses.

I love Tunze. My Tunze Stream ran for 18 years with very few cleanings. I had 3 of the Nano Streams but they were more temperamental.

The reason I have been buying up Hygger pumps is the cost. By comparison they are pennies on the dollar. For the price having an extra as an additional pump you can use in times of need is well worth it. The randomness of the flow is an added benefit.

 

[Kodski]

I think you're overthinking this a bit. LPS and softies don't need or want that much flow.

I think the hobby is doing a good job of coming to this realization as a whole as I've seen a lot of discussion on this as of late. LPS are not found in turbulent chaotic flow areas of reefs. They are found in gentle currents that switch directions with the tide. Random and chaotic shouldn't be the goal here. I think two small gyres placed vertically blowing along the front or back of the aquarium would do great. One on for a bit to create a gyre and then turns off while the opposite one turns on to change the direction of the flow. Combine that with your spinstreams and I think your corals will love that type of flow.

 

[EtaZeta]

Me overthinking was never in doubt. Haha. I have a full Apex on the tank so I’m wondering if I can find a DC pump that uses the Apex for controllability. I think Tunze falls in that bucket as well.