Is less flow the answer to happy LPS

[HighDefAquaria]

I noticed that my torches had shrunk by about 75%, which led me to start researching the possible causes. When I introduced torches into my 45-gallon cube, they showed good polyp extension during the first week. The torches had a nice, flowing movement, and my hammers appeared plump and healthy. By the following week, however, I began seeing exposed skeleton on the hammers, and the torches remained plump but noticeably retracted.

After extensive research, I concluded that the issue was related to long flow periods and overly strong flow. I run two Nero 5s, alternating every hour, and after adjusting to longer, gentler flow cycles, I’ve seen a significant improvement. My corals now display greater polyp extension and better coloration than when I first added them—if anything, they’ve improved beyond their original condition. In this LPS-only tank, my torches and hammers currently look the best they’ve ever looked.

I wanted to share my experience for newer reefers or anyone struggling with torches or hammers. A major inspiration for making these adjustments came from listening to Serious Reefs and Ryan Batchelor’s observations on flow.

 

[Drag80n Reef]

This was also my experience when I first started. Low random flow led to more juicy polyp extension. Reading corals is a necessity in this hobby and they can only tell you they’re not satisfied by the way they look. Thank you for sharing your experience, glad to see your lps is happier now

 

[Drag80n Reef]

PS I’m struggling to find a good placement for my Goni as they don’t like any place in my tank. The only place with low random flow is the mid to top portion of my tank and I have my weeping willows and torches there lol

 

[HighDefAquaria]

PS I’m struggling to find a good placement for my Goni as they don’t like any place in my tank. The only place with low random flow is the mid to top portion of my tank and I have my weeping willows and torches there lol

I’m about to get my first gonni in my second tank. I’ll post how it goes.

 

[Drag80n Reef]

I’m about to get my first gonni in my second tank. I’ll post how it goes.

I was able to keep gonis better in my old tank before I got hit with dinos bc I had cheap low flow pumps. I now use 2 mp40s at 5% and they’re too much for the gonis lol

 

[TheNative192]

I’m about to get my first gonni in my second tank. I’ll post how it goes.

Curious what settings you have on the two Nero 5s and also what GPH it says. Trying to get my pumps all set up correctly lol

 

[HighDefAquaria]

My Nero5s are set at 3% currently. I'm getting 975gph on each head. So I'm getting rouphly 20x tank turnover an hour minus my return.

 

[rtparty]

I have often found LPS will puff up more in super low flow and attribute it to the coral needing more surface area to receive nutrients and expel waste because there isn't enough flow bringing and carrying those things to and from

There is a sweet spot though as too much flow definitely hurts them

 

[HighDefAquaria]

I have often found LPS will puff up more in super low flow and attribute it to the coral needing more surface area to receive nutrients and expel waste because there isn't enough flow bringing and carrying those things to and from

There is a sweet spot though as too much flow definitely hurts them

Two additional factors to consider are oxygen exchange and the removal of the coral’s slime coat. Without sufficient flow, proper gas exchange will not occur, and the coral may not be able to effectively shed its old slime coat. I’m not suggesting little to no flow; however, in my limited testing, I’ve achieved better polyp size and coloration in a lower-flow system.

I recently came across recommended turnover metrics for reef tanks, which suggest 5–10× the tank volume per hour for lps. That is roughly where my system currently operates. I’m using long, one-hour intervals of alternating, indirect flow, and I’ve noticed a substantial improvement in my hammers and hammer spawn.

 

[thamnasteroid]

Not necessarily. This idea comes from the misconception that more polyp inflation/extension equals happier corals (this is not true; see any wild coral).