petek8103
New Member
Question about flow for a mixed reef, my tank is a 210 - 72x24x29. I have mixed corals included a few torches and lots of negative space aquascape. I have my return pump maybe 800-900GPH at the nozzles. I added extra nozzles to break up that flow. All my torches in the bottom 3rd - 3-4 inches off the sandbed.
I currently have 2x MP40qdWs - and 1 AI Orbit 4. I've played with a ton of locations on the MP40s and without the Orbit involved and I can't see to find the sweet spot IMO unless I am running everything extremely slow. My goal was to have a lot of surface movement with the Orbit and the 40s for random flow.
Option 1: I tried both MP40s offset on either end - 1 on top third left side, 1 on right middle third - offset from each other: RED ARROWS in Picture
---This I would think would be great setup - all of my tank looked great, but my torches appeared to be very flat since the flow was above them not below.
----This allowed me to run the pumps at like 55-55% in anti-sync etc.
----Less surface movement - NO AI ORBIT
Option 2: I tried both MP40s offset on either end - 1 on top third left side, 1 on right middle third - offset from each other: YELLOW ARROWS in Picture
----This allowed me to run the pumps at like 55-55% in anti-sync etc.
----Added the Orbit for surface movement, pointed up and I immediately had to scale back the MP40s - basically to 10% and the Orbit to say 25%
------Torches still looked flat
Option 3: I put 1 MP40 left side lower 1/3 third back wall - running Lagoon Mode 10-15% 24/7. The other MP40 is on the right back wall high up running reef crest 5-10%. I have the Orbit on the left wall very high, running - 25-35% random: Green Arrows in Picture
---This is what is currently working - my torches seem to be getting the underneath flow they need. Surface movement is decent, but I feel like the pumps are to slow for the entire tank overall.
I have attached pictures of my tank for the pump locations I have a tried and where I have my small torch garden (Circled in Yellow)
Would I benefit from another MP40 over the Orbit? OR MP60 over the Orbit? Does it sound like adequate flow?
I currently have 2x MP40qdWs - and 1 AI Orbit 4. I've played with a ton of locations on the MP40s and without the Orbit involved and I can't see to find the sweet spot IMO unless I am running everything extremely slow. My goal was to have a lot of surface movement with the Orbit and the 40s for random flow.
Option 1: I tried both MP40s offset on either end - 1 on top third left side, 1 on right middle third - offset from each other: RED ARROWS in Picture
---This I would think would be great setup - all of my tank looked great, but my torches appeared to be very flat since the flow was above them not below.
----This allowed me to run the pumps at like 55-55% in anti-sync etc.
----Less surface movement - NO AI ORBIT
Option 2: I tried both MP40s offset on either end - 1 on top third left side, 1 on right middle third - offset from each other: YELLOW ARROWS in Picture
----This allowed me to run the pumps at like 55-55% in anti-sync etc.
----Added the Orbit for surface movement, pointed up and I immediately had to scale back the MP40s - basically to 10% and the Orbit to say 25%
------Torches still looked flat
Option 3: I put 1 MP40 left side lower 1/3 third back wall - running Lagoon Mode 10-15% 24/7. The other MP40 is on the right back wall high up running reef crest 5-10%. I have the Orbit on the left wall very high, running - 25-35% random: Green Arrows in Picture
---This is what is currently working - my torches seem to be getting the underneath flow they need. Surface movement is decent, but I feel like the pumps are to slow for the entire tank overall.
I have attached pictures of my tank for the pump locations I have a tried and where I have my small torch garden (Circled in Yellow)
Would I benefit from another MP40 over the Orbit? OR MP60 over the Orbit? Does it sound like adequate flow?
