How much flow is too much?

[huso]

I finnaly got some nitrates in my tank today and I had live rock and sand so I decided to a firefish goby. When i put him in he just kind of got whiplashed around by the pumps. One 480 gph the other 500 and a 220 canister filter. Is that too much flow?

 

[huso]

it is a 40 gallon tank

 

[Idech]

If your fish is getting pushed around by the flow, yes, it’s way too much. Unless it is ill, then it’s another story.

 

[tazyn555]

If your goby’s doing laps like it’s training for the Olympics, you might wanna dial it back.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Thats a 40 breeder? Thats not much flow, my 15 gallon has 2 x 525 sicce nano powerheads, almost as much as what you have. I would increase the flow actually.

My 40 breeder has a return pump plus 2 gyres at 50% each. IMO more flow is always better. As long as sand is not blowing around and corals seems happy the fish can take it. Especially firefish they are great swimmers. You have good rockrock the fish will find his happy spot. Don't worry.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

PS - I turn off my flow to add a new fish, it was just momentarily stunned - its a traumatic situation for them. IMO

 

[jaycethebird]

I finnaly got some nitrates in my tank today and I had live rock and sand so I decided to a firefish goby. When i put him in he just kind of got whiplashed around by the pumps. One 480 gph the other 500 and a 220 canister filter. Is that too much flow?

When it comes to flow all you need is enough to keep the water circulating without large waves. too much and it will rip up corals and hurt fish but too little causes a oxygen problem. For a 130 gallon tank I use about 3000 gph from 2 mp40s so i would recommend about 1000 gph for a 40 gallon. So you have a good setup with your 2 and only need to adjust once you get corals based on how the coral moves if you get coral.

 

[FernBluffReef]

So your flow is roughly 1200gph for a 40 gallon? So about 30gph of flow per gallon.

I always thought my 113 gallon tank had more flow than necessary and whenever I cleaned the power heads I turned them down until they got dirty again. At this point ive been turning flow up to try and beat Cynao and just in general. The Coral and fish are enjoying more than I expected.

I’m currently running about 2700 gph. 1100 thru the return and 1600 thru the power heads. So in my case I’m turning over around 24gph. I might go a bit higher but not a lot higher. I’m sure the SPS folks will say go higher.

So hope that helps. Your flow is a bit higher then mine but not all that scientific

 

[huso]

If your goby’s doing laps like it’s training for the Olympics, you might wanna dial it back.

Its not lapping but its constantly swimming against the pump with its dorsal fin down. When I close the 500 he looks much more relaxed, exploring more with his fin up. Do you think I should keep the 500 closed for now?

 

[huso]

PS - I turn off my flow to add a new fish, it was just momentarily stunned - its a traumatic situation for them. IMO

How long do you lower your flow for?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

How long do you lower your flow for?

Just for 5-10 minutes, once the new fish gets safely into the rocks I turn it back on. Turning off the flow also startles my fish so they all go hide, which also makes it easier and safer to add a new fish IMO

 

[huso]

How long do you lower your flow for?

Just for 5-10 minutes, once the new fish gets safely into the rocks I turn it back on. Turning off the flow also startles my fish so they all go hide, which also makes it easier and safer to add a new fish IMO

When both are open he just stays at the front of the tank swimming against the pump with his top fin down, not moving anywhere. When I close the 500 he looks much more relaxed, exploring more with his fin up. Is that normal behavior?

 

[skey44]

Just for 5-10 minutes, once the new fish gets safely into the rocks I turn it back on. Turning off the flow also startles my fish so they all go hide, which also makes it easier and safer to add a new fish IMO

Adding a new fish soon. Like this advice and will try it!

 

[skey44]

I’d love to see a video of the flow and fish behavior. FWIW I can only see videos if they’re linked from YouTube.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

When both are open he just stays at the front of the tank swimming against the pump with his top fin down, not moving anywhere. When I close the 500 he looks much more relaxed, exploring more with his fin up. Is that normal behavior?

Your fish only been in the tank one day, so its hard to say what is normal since its still getting used to your tank. But I don't want to discourage you if you feel there might be an issue, perhaps a short video will help us to confirm.

 

[Uncle99]

Depends a lot on what type of system your building, stick dominant (fast) LPS, (Slow) or somewhere in between.

Did you say he’s swimming against the flow when it’s on? Some concern if that was the case.

Looks nice, enjoy!

 

[huso]

Depends a lot on what type of system your building, stick dominant (fast) LPS, (Slow) or somewhere in between.

Did you say he’s swimming against the flow when it’s on? Some concern if that was the case.

Looks nice, enjoy!

Yes against the flow. Not trying to beat the flow but more just trying staying still in it. I am outside now but I pointed the 500 towards the rockwork which seemed to help.

 

[huso]

When both are open he just stays at the front of the tank swimming against the pump with his top fin down, not moving anywhere. When I close the 500 he looks much more relaxed, exploring more with his fin up. Is that normal behavior?

Your fish only been in the tank one day, so its hard to say what is normal since its still getting used to your tank. But I don't want to discourage you if you feel there might be an issue, perhaps a short video will help us to confirm.

I will record one either today or tomorrow since im outside right now. He also eats the food I put in, so that's a good sing.

 

[huso]

When both are open he just stays at the front of the tank swimming against the pump with his top fin down, not moving anywhere. When I close the 500 he looks much more relaxed, exploring more with his fin up. Is that normal behavior?

Your fish only been in the tank one day, so its hard to say what is normal since its still getting used to your tank. But I don't want to discourage you if you feel there might be an issue, perhaps a short video will help us to confirm.

found one i recorded before leaving.

 

[huso]

I’d love to see a video of the flow and fish behavior. FWIW I can only see videos if they’re linked from YouTube.

I can post it to yt later so you can see.