DC Pump Flow

[PeteyRoc]

Hi all I wanted to reach out for recommendations on the DC Pump Flow setting on my 12 Gallon Peninsula AIO nano tank. I just put my first clown in the tank and wanted to make sure the flow was not too strong for the little one. My current setup is an AI Axis 20 with a power setting of 50% and on constant flow. For the nozzle attached, it is a dual random flow. As of now, I do not have any powerheads. Do you think I should lower the strength of flow and if so would the agitation on the surface be enough? I want to make sure he/she is comfortable swimming around. Thanks in advance!

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I just googled this pump, it is 185 gph, so at full power the tank would get 15x turnover (12 x 15 = 180gph) which I think is good for a small tank.

If you cut it by 50%, then you get only 5x turnover (12 x 5 = 60gph), which is very low almost stagnant water. The suggested minimum is 10x turnover, but I think most folks run about 20x turnover, which is a good rate. Flow helps with filtration, helps with oxygenation, and helps against algae. The fish is very capable of swimming in that flow, and fish like to play in the flow.

 

[dedragon]

that is a really underpowered pump. I would run it at 80-100%. There are a lot of dc pump options if you choose to upgrade
Amazon product

 

[dedragon]

this one looks identical to the ai one and is half the price...most likely just a rebranded chinese made pump
Amazon product

 

[PeteyRoc]

I just googled this pump, it is 185 gph, so at full power the tank would get 15x turnover (12 x 15 = 180gph) which I think is good for a small tank.

If you cut it by 50%, then you get only 5x turnover (12 x 5 = 60gph), which is very low almost stagnant water. The suggested minimum is 10x turnover, but I think most folks run about 20x turnover, which is a good rate. Flow helps with filtration, helps with oxygenation, and helps against algae. The fish is very capable of swimming in that flow, and fish like to play in the flow.

Another question do you adjust the flow setting during a time when your fish would be able to sleep?

 

[PeteyRoc]

this one looks identical to the ai one and is half the price...most likely just a rebranded chinese made pump
Amazon product

the image/link is possibly blocked.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Another question do you adjust the flow setting during a time when your fish would be able to sleep?

Some people do but I don't, the ocean stays constant during the day and night. The fish will find a suitable spot

 

[PeteyRoc]

Some people do but I don't, the ocean stays constant during the day and night. The fish will find a suitable spot

I ask because I am planning to get a small wavemaker and possibly when night comes around, I may have that turned off or adjust to a weaker flow.

 

[dedragon]

the image/link is possibly blocked.

shouldnt be. if you have an adblocker try turning it off, sometimes it blocks links

 

[PharmrJohn]

Your flow is going to be dictated by what you want to keep in your tank. For softies and LPS, 20 to 25x should suffice. For SPS, it needs to be higher. Some go as high as 50x, but I think 30 to 40x would be OK.

 

[NC AL]

Axis 20, I would turn up higher. Highest level that doesn't produce a lot of noise. I have an axis 40 on a 13.5 gallon and runs about 60%.

 

[dedragon]

Some go as high as 50x, but I think 30 to 40x would be OK.

the only problem going this fast would be air getting pulled through the aio compartment. I think that is a better rating if they had a sump

 

[Dragen Fiend]

The fish will handle it no problem at max power. Its only 185gph. The tank is large enough where its not a jet-stream. Plus depending on nozzles its more spread out.

I have a 185gph pump on a 4.8g tank that I can max the flow and still be fine.

Personally with a 12 gallon I would have gotten the axis 40.

But for you, I would set the pump to 80%-100% with RCA nozzles. See how the flow is from there. If you find needing more flow. Add a wavemaker later.

 

[PeteyRoc]

The fish will handle it no problem at max power. Its only 185gph. The tank is large enough where its not a jet-stream. Plus depending on nozzles its more spread out.

I have a 185gph pump on a 4.8g tank that I can max the flow and still be fine.

Personally with a 12 gallon I would have gotten the axis 40.

But for you, I would set the pump to 80%-100% with RCA nozzles. See how the flow is from there. If you find needing more flow. Add a wavemaker later.

Since yesterday I place the setting on 80%. Today the little one found an area near the arch. Before the clown was hanging around the return flow when it was at 60%. Forgot to mention tank is 18Lx14Wx11H.