Is this too much flow for a Duncan?

[TacticalBacon]

New to Corals. Put in my first 2 corals. A Duncan and GSP.
43g Cube that is 24x24x17

They both closed up after I dipped them but the Duncan came back out quickly and the GSP did the next day.


The Duncan seems to be happy its arms have been extending a bit.

But is this too much flow?

I have a cheap Hygger on the lowest setting. I can’t find the min flow rate but it maxes at 1500gph

My return is running at 436 gph. I have it set to 11 out of 20.

I’ve seen some videos of the Duncan’s moving a lot but it is all relative.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

My GSP is about an inch lower and it’s not moving nearly at all but seems to be sprouting.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

The flow is one-way, and its pulling on the coral too hard. Ideally it should be random flow patterns, and the coral should sway back and forth. Try to arrange your flow so it bounces off each other to create random flow, you might need another powerhead to achieve that affect. My 40 gallon has 2 gyres at 50% plus the return, so its unlikely you have too much flow.

 

[TacticalBacon]

I turned on my other powerhead. It’s not DC so I can’t adjust it but I pointed it at the big rocks.

The adjusted the return and lowered the hugger pump and moved it to random.

They are swaying back and forth now and in more than one direction. Subtly swaying.

The flow is one-way, and its pulling on the coral too hard. Ideally it should be random flow patterns, and the coral should sway back and forth. Try to arrange your flow so it bounces off each other to create random flow, you might need another powerhead to achieve that affect. My 40 gallon has 2 gyres at 50% plus the return, so its unlikely you have too much flow.

 

[Idech]

I turned on my other powerhead. It’s not DC so I can’t adjust it but I pointed it at the big rocks.

The adjusted the return and lowered the hugger pump and moved it to random.

They are swaying back and forth now and in more than one direction. Subtly swaying.

That’s better but make it wave a little more.

 

[Lavey29]

Seems to be ok now. You want flow set up so you have sufficient surface ripple. Powerheads a few inches below the surface. 20x tank volume turnover for softs corals, 30x LPS and 40x SPS are general guidelines which is cumulative flow with return pump and powerheads.

 

[TacticalBacon]

I said “Hi” and turned the pumps up. Stirred up some stuff but it’s moving now.

I need to adjust my herbie now.

The GSP is flowing a bit more now but it’s hard to really tell it’s so small.

That’s better but make it wave a little more.

That’s better but make it wave a little more

 

[Idech]

I said “Hi” and turned the pumps up. Stirred up some stuff but it’s moving now.

I need to adjust my herbie now.

The GSP is flowing a bit more now but it’s hard to really tell it’s so small.

Maybe a little too high on one side now. Take your time, it takes a while to get it just right. And sometimes perfection is not attainable.

 

[TacticalBacon]

Maybe a little too high on one side now. Take your time, it takes a while to get it just right. And sometimes perfection is not attainable.

I have a ball valve where I should have a gave valve on my drainpipe for my Herbie, the LFS, did me kinda dirty by not giving me an option.

I ordered a Gate valve but it hasn't made it and it said it was delivered, so I am battling that mess.

I say that because I think I got my flow right but also had to adjust my overflow drainage and nothing gets me to cussing more than messing with that stuck ball valve that once it breaks loose, its adjustment range is on a frog hair scale, so fine, you have to adjust it between heartbeats so you don't adjust too much.

It is waving and not too much, but I think it could be little more, but I am liking this, the arms are moving about in different directions.


Thank you for all of the help. It is really opening up and moving. The GSP is moving a bit more too, as the day has gone and on the flow has changed. but I am not too worried about it, I think it is just fine, soft subtle movement.

 

[Idech]

Thank you for all of the help. It is really opening up and moving. The GSP is moving a bit more too, as the day has gone and on the flow has changed. but I am not too worried about it, I think it is just fine, soft subtle movement.

I like that !