Help with flow

Tartufo

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This is in regards to a 20 gallon IM tank. I need help with flow. I thought everything was great until I added two torches and two hammers. The Duncans and mushrooms were doing quite well. After adding the torches, I realized that my flow was lacking. If I add a powerhead, the flow seems to be too strong for my fish (cardinal, clown goby, and two clownfish). They huddle under a rock.

I want to increase flow without stressing the fish. Am I being too ambitious, trying to get enough flow for a torch? I haven't experimented too much with placement (I'm trying to keep the torches out of the way), nor have I upgraded the stock pumps. I am switching a stock pump for a Sicce 1.0. I did the same on our 25 lagoon. The powerhead currently in the tank is turned to the lowest setting. It is a wavelink.

I know, I need to clean the glass.

2026-01-21 09.33.22.jpg 2026-01-21 09.33.38.jpg 2026-01-21 09.33.40.jpg 2026-01-21 09.33.45.jpg
 

TheSheff

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The salt creep is so terrible ngl lol. I would personally recommend getting a powerhead with wider flow, and moving your corals around based on that. Something like the Jebao SLW series. I personally run pretty high flow in my tanks with hammers, mushrooms, frogspawns , etc.
 
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Tartufo

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The salt creep is so terrible ngl lol. I would personally recommend getting a powerhead with wider flow, and moving your corals around based on that. Something like the Jebao SLW series. I personally run pretty high flow in my tanks with hammers, mushrooms, frogspawns , etc.

I got a bit messy when adding coral and removing some rock. I will check out that powerhead. We currently have the same on a 25 gallon as what is on the 20, but I think the tank shape calms and disperses the flow.

Oh, I do have Jebao SLW-10 sitting on my desk. I bought it, hoping that it would help, based on searching this site.
 

TheSheff

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I got a bit messy when adding coral and removing some rock. I will check out that powerhead. We currently have the same on a 25 gallon as what is on the 20, but I think the tank shape calms and disperses the flow.

Oh, I do have Jebao SLW-10 sitting on my desk. I bought it, hoping that it would help, based on searching this site.
I personally love the jebao pumps, I would try that slw-10 on your tank (prob the lowest setting), in random locations throughout the tank to see what works.
 

exnisstech

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I have two MP10s on my IM 20 and they work well. Not sure I would spend the money but I had them already. Mine are on opposite ends running reefcrest one at 25% the other at 40% My clowns seem to be fine with the flow.

PXL_20260109_233312665~2.jpg
 

Pntbll687

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You could just add rfg nozzles to the outlets
 

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