How much flow should your reef tank have?

ReefStable · Feb 23, 2024

How much flow should your reef tank have?

Are you ready to take your reef tank to new heights? Brace yourself for an exciting journey into the importance of REEF TANK FLOW! Dive into the ultimate guide to reef tank flow to unlock the secrets of optimal water movement, discover different flow types, and learn how much your reef needs!

Mastering Flow for Your Reef Tank

What Awaits You Inside:

Types of Flow: Explore the diverse world of water movement and find the perfect flow for your corals to flourish.

Importance of Circulation: Understand how proper flow contributes to coral health, and the overall balance of your aquatic ecosystem.

Calculating Your Flow Needs: Get hands-on tips for determining the ideal flow rate for your specific reef tank setup.

This isn't just about water movement; it's about unlocking the full potential of your underwater world! Click now to read more and revolutionize your reef-keeping game.

Don't let your tank miss out on the magic of flow!

Mastering Flow for Your Reef Tank

Dive in and let the currents of knowledge carry your reef to extraordinary heights!

Happy Reefing!

Dom · Feb 23, 2024

Flow in a reef tank should be chaotic. In other words, power heads should be pointing at each other.

I find that most people point their power heads in the same direction so the flow in the tank is much like stirring a pot.

seapen · Sep 4, 2024

I could use some help here with water circulation turnover in the tank (not water flowing through sump).

I'm planning a peninsula reef - 300gal - drilled for Closed Loop System. Will put sump and other equipment in basement run pipes up to Display Tank on 1st floor. Been reading a lot on Head/Friction to figure out what mine will be.

I want a Mixed Reef with slight lean to SPS.
The in-tank GPH water circulation turnover for the 300gal is rated from 9,000 to 15,000 GPH (if I did the math right).
Softies and LPS - 20x per hour DT volume(300)=6000 (gph)
Mixed Reef - 30x per hour DT volume (300)=9000 (gph)
SPS - 40-90x per hour DT volume(300)=12000 to 27000 (gph)

My estimated head/friction loss is 17ft.~

With no powerheads or wave makers in the tank, AND relying on closed loop (1.5" dia pipe), I have yet to find a pump (or 2 combined) that will achieve 9,000 to 15,000 GPH.

I've been looking at Abyzz A400, even two of them at 17' head/friction won't achieve 9,000 to 15,000.
ASSUMPTION: I can add the GPMs of them together

Am I missing something?

I really appreciate anyone's help on this. What a great resource this place is!

WhatCouldGoWrong71 · Oct 14, 2024

seapen said:
I could use some help here with water circulation turnover in the tank (not water flowing through sump).

I'm planning a peninsula reef - 300gal - drilled for Closed Loop System. Will put sump and other equipment in basement run pipes up to Display Tank on 1st floor. Been reading a lot on Head/Friction to figure out what mine will be.

I want a Mixed Reef with slight lean to SPS.
The in-tank GPH water circulation turnover for the 300gal is rated from 9,000 to 15,000 GPH (if I did the math right).
Softies and LPS - 20x per hour DT volume(300)=6000 (gph)
Mixed Reef - 30x per hour DT volume (300)=9000 (gph)
SPS - 40-90x per hour DT volume(300)=12000 to 27000 (gph)

My estimated head/friction loss is 17ft.~

With no powerheads or wave makers in the tank, AND relying on closed loop (1.5" dia pipe), I have yet to find a pump (or 2 combined) that will achieve 9,000 to 15,000 GPH.

I've been looking at Abyzz A400, even two of them at 17' head/friction won't achieve 9,000 to 15,000.
ASSUMPTION: I can add the GPMs of them together

Am I missing something?

I really appreciate anyone's help on this. What a great resource this place is!

What did you decide? I should have my 3rd closed loop running tomorrow night. I’m also going to crank up my 2 return L2s to near max. Those will each lower two 1” RFGs. I’m going with two full siphons both gated. I’ll restrict the fate tied to my roller significantly. Or, that’s what I plan to attempt. So I’ll have 4 L2s (currently 3 and a M2, that will get moved to my frag when I put it online). I’ll have the other next week. I’m about 15k with 5 pumps.