Hey! How's it flowing in your tank? Let's talk poweheads and flow strategy.

[Daniel@R2R]

I know that the standard reef wisdom has been that after stability, lighting and flow were the 2 most important things to take care of in your tank, but recently there has been the suggestion that maybe flow isn't that important after all. It's actually been awhile since I looked into current theories on flow, so I'm curious about what you guys think.

How do you guys handle flow in your reef? What's your preferred powerhead? What's your flow strategy and why? Is flow less important than we once thought?

 

[tehmadreefer]

Well brs and wwc agree more flow is better for sps and based on their sucesses how can ya argue, so there ya go.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Well brs and wwc agree more flow is better for sps and based on their sucesses how can ya argue, so there ya go.

True. I do tend to follow the philosophy of, "if you want what they got, then do what they did."

 

[tehmadreefer]

True. I do tend to follow the philosophy of, "if you want what they got, then do what they did."

Haha. Well, I still dont have what they got so on the other hand...

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Hmm...maybe we need a little more of "doing what they did." ;Hilarious

 

[Dragon52]

I have 2 MP40QD's on my 185gl working in ReefCrest mode ranging from 20-80% mainly for alternating flow because I don't see constant flow when I'm at the ocean. I have used the Hydor's & Maxspect gyres but like the fact that with the Eco techs there;s no cords in the tank.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

I have 2 MP40QD's on my 185gl working in ReefCrest mode ranging from 20-80% mainly for alternating flow because I don't see constant flow when I'm at the ocean. I have used the Hydor's & Maxspect gyres but like the fact that with the Eco techs there;s no cords in the tank.

Yes! I definitely believe random flow is the way to go.

 

[Dragon52]

Yes! I definitely believe random flow is the way to go.

It also makes the tank look better because you can see everything going in different directions. I really like that effect. Never done any diving but I have snorkeled in Hawaii & it really looks nice, more alive.

 

[Cory]

My flow probably beats everyones here in the 200 gallon range.

I use a 45 gallon brute trash can that dumps all its water in 5 seconds. It syphons every minute or so through 3" pipe. Trying to make a wave but its more of a surge. Wave is my goal.

 

[X-37B]

Standard 120.
2 tunze 6095 on back wall pointing to the middle and on pulse every 5 seconds.
2 jebao ow25 on each end pulse mode every 10 seconds.
All at 100%.
Keeps everything moving.
Fish and corals like it.

 

[ca1ore]

My flow probably beats everyones here in the 200 gallon range.

I use a 45 gallon brute trash can that dumps all its water in 5 seconds. It syphons every minute or so through 3" pipe. Trying to make a wave but its more of a surge. Wave is my goal.

I’d like to see a video of that in action. I’ve used variations on Carlson and Borneman surge devices. Just never found them to be family room friendly. I’d use one again if I ever get around to building a 1,500 gallon tank.

 

[ca1ore]

have 2 MP40QD's on my 185gl working in ReefCrest mode ranging from 20-80% mainly for alternating flow because I don't see constant flow when I'm at the ocean.

Depends a lot where you are. I’ve seen plenty of reef flats that got constant flow. Plenty that get chaotic flow to. SPS seem adaptable to both. I think you need water movement for nutrient/waste transport, but I do also think the nature of that flow is less critical than has conventionally been assumed.

 

[don_chuwish]

In my 120G I set the two Tunze 6055s in the top back corners. Aimed them at the far opposing front corners and set them up to ramp up and down opposite each other in 4 cycles per day. The idea being a tidal flow in and out. One pump in Apex looks like:

If Time 00:00 to 03:00 Then 6055_Up1
If Time 03:00 to 06:00 Then 6055_Up2
If Time 06:00 to 09:00 Then 6055_Dn1
If Time 09:00 to 12:00 Then 6055_Dn2
If Time 12:00 to 15:00 Then 6055_Up1
If Time 15:00 to 18:00 Then 6055_Up2
If Time 18:00 to 21:00 Then 6055_Dn1
If Time 21:00 to 00:00 Then 6055_Dn2

Just the opposite for the other pump. Sometimes they clash at mid-power in the middle, then one gets stronger than the other and the flow starts swinging the other direction.

 

[Cory]

I’d like to see a video of that in action. I’ve used variations on Carlson and Borneman surge devices. Just never found them to be family room friendly. I’d use one again if I ever get around to building a 1,500 gallon tank.

Thats exactly what im using is a carson surge. Ill show a vid when i get a chance because im at work and i get home to a dark tank lol. Its definitely not family friendly though. Its loud but in the basement. I was going to put a diy muffler on it but the family isnt complaining so i never did haha. Vortecs pfftt. Gyres pffftt. Tunze stream? Haha nooo. You should see my flow. just kidding guys.

 

[ca1ore]

Thats exactly what im using is a carson surge. Ill show a vid when i get a chance because im at work and i get home to a dark tank lol. Its definitely not family friendly though. Its loud but in the basement. I was going to put a diy muffler on it but the family isnt complaining so i never did haha. Vortecs pfftt. Gyres pffftt. Tunze stream? Haha nooo. You should see my flow. just kidding guys.

Whenever you get a chance. I spent a lot of time about 20 years ago designing and building surge devices. Most sucked LOL, but a couple worked well.

 

[vlangel]

I have an IceCap 3K in my 56 gallon column tank. Since it is overkill for my size tank I use it in reverse mode where the max is 50%. That provides variation from 10% up to 50% and then back down and then the repeats except in reverse direction. My coral definitely responded positively to that compared to the fixed flow powerheads I have used prior. My tank is a mixed coral and macro algae tank.

 

[lakai]

I’d like to see a video of that in action. I’ve used variations on Carlson and Borneman surge devices. Just never found them to be family room friendly. I’d use one again if I ever get around to building a 1,500 gallon tank.

 

[fredk]

My flow probably beats everyones here in the 200 gallon range.

I use a 45 gallon brute trash can that dumps all its water in 5 seconds. It syphons every minute or so through 3" pipe. Trying to make a wave but its more of a surge. Wave is my goal.

Video or it didn't happen.

Edit. I see I`m not the first to ask. Really hope you get a chance to post a vid. I`m sure it`s an impressive surge.

 

[eea60123]

I have a 220 gallon dual corner overflow tank. I run a mp60 about 3/4th the way down touching the overflow which is just above my aquascape and a mp40 about 60% down about 8” from the from front glass. The 60 is 100% reef crest and the 40 is 60%-70% reef crest. I have a gyre (2???gph) on random at 100% near the top of the tank on the opposite side. My dual returns are pointed at the back wall and the front corner with about 900gph flow split between the 2. I hate corner overflows due to powerhead placement, but with my aquascape I think I’ve eliminated most dead spots. I try to get good random flow for my SPS and high surface agitation for oxygen exchange. I can’t say extreme flow is necessary, but I believe good flow is needed for certain corals to thrive. Just have to balance it out. I’m happy with my tank so I guess to me that’s success but to others it may not be.

 

[Genicanthus-R-Us]

I have a IM 50 with 2 spin streams and the mighty jet pump running at 60% along with a Nero 5 on pulse mode at 35%. The spin streams great a nice random flow and my Nero is set to get a gentle “back-and-forth” from my lps corals.