Big E Rimless 80g Sps
- Build Thread
- Thread starter Big E
- Start date
- Tagged users None
What is your approach to flow in SPS dominated tanks, mostly Acropora? Is there a tank turnover range you are shooting for?
Any visual indiciations that the corals are getting too little/too much flow? Thanks!
Any visual indiciations that the corals are getting too little/too much flow? Thanks!
OP
OP
Big E
Valuable Member
I like to see flow surrounding the coral from multiple angles and also heavy enough so they don't spindly branches.
Unless your ripping or the growth pattern is all bent one way than the flow is fine.
This is probably max flow I like.........you can have less and be ok, but you do want to see those polyps moving pretty good.
Flow video by Big E 52, on Flickr
It would be better to have a laminar type flow back and forth, but that's hard to do in our systems, sa chaotic type flow is fine. Most people with mixed reefs will probably have less flow, but I think if you want to cater to the acros than don't have Lps that don't like heavy flow.
Unless your ripping or the growth pattern is all bent one way than the flow is fine.
This is probably max flow I like.........you can have less and be ok, but you do want to see those polyps moving pretty good.
Flow video by Big E 52, on FlickrIt would be better to have a laminar type flow back and forth, but that's hard to do in our systems, sa chaotic type flow is fine. Most people with mixed reefs will probably have less flow, but I think if you want to cater to the acros than don't have Lps that don't like heavy flow.
OP
OP
Big E
Valuable Member
Nothing.....that's why there haven't been any meaningful posts
I have been focused on buying a larger tank and trying to thin things out.............setting up a 40 breeder short term to create room.
I have been focused on buying a larger tank and trying to thin things out.............setting up a 40 breeder short term to create room.
drawman
2500 Club Member
I would still love to see a picture update! Glad to hear all is well!Nothing.....that's why there haven't been any meaningful posts
I have been focused on buying a larger tank and trying to thin things out.............setting up a 40 breeder short term to create room.
OP
OP
Big E
Valuable Member
6-8" off the surface --- it depends on how deep your tank is. 24" deep I'd have it at 6" and see how corals respond.
New corals I put low at the beginning if they are light/pale. If the zoo is heavier I'll put the corals higher.
New corals I put low at the beginning if they are light/pale. If the zoo is heavier I'll put the corals higher.
I believe my tank is 22 inches deep
and how long do you keep them lower for? and by higher like at the forever spot immediately for the zoo heavier corals or like mid way up on a frag rack or?
Last edited:
OP
OP
Big E
Valuable Member
If the corals are light/pale I place them at the bottom of the tank til more zoo fills in. At this point I don't care about color......if they brown up a little that's fine. Once they are ok you're good to place them anywhere in the upper 2/3rds of the tank. In your 22" depth that would be approx 14-16" deep to the surface.
The lower 6-7" are for smooth skin acros as they don't need the higher light.
Some acros will also do good even 6-7 inchs from the tank bottom. This is more experimental and you just have to see what type of colors you can pull.
Most well know corals have a history of best placement.
The lower 6-7" are for smooth skin acros as they don't need the higher light.
Some acros will also do good even 6-7 inchs from the tank bottom. This is more experimental and you just have to see what type of colors you can pull.
Most well know corals have a history of best placement.
Okay sweet thank you for the detailed reply, much appreciated! Just for myself to understand and correct me if I'm wrong
if its pale/light it'll stay on the sandbed till some colors fill in. If it's colored up already, its okay to place in the upper 2/3rds of the tank at which ever par/flow spot that the particular acro is supposed to be in. Is that correct? Aswell is flow a thing to acclimate the acros to aswell? Like light/pale (lower flow) and colored up (immediate flow needs)
OP
OP
Big E
Valuable Member
Yes, it's easy visually to see if colors are pale. You're looking for deepness of color even if it's brown.
Good intermittent flow is important for corals for oxygen exchange. Too much flow from one side may create weird growth patterns but it's not harmful.
As long as you're not ripping off skin most standard flow conditions for acropora will be fine. There's isn't any acclimation needed for flow.
Good intermittent flow is important for corals for oxygen exchange. Too much flow from one side may create weird growth patterns but it's not harmful.
As long as you're not ripping off skin most standard flow conditions for acropora will be fine. There's isn't any acclimation needed for flow.
Hey Big E,
I’ve seen you suggest keeping ‘proper fish numbers’ instead of feeding coral foods.
Is there a rule of a thumb you follow for fish stocking levels? If not, how do you know if you have too many / too few fish?
Thank you for your help.
I’ve seen you suggest keeping ‘proper fish numbers’ instead of feeding coral foods.
Is there a rule of a thumb you follow for fish stocking levels? If not, how do you know if you have too many / too few fish?
Thank you for your help.
Similar threads
