Question about variable flow throughtout the day on Mixed reef

[merfury1989]

Hey all, so I have this Mixed reef setup on a 33G tank (Red Sea Nano XL). With 2 wavemakers at the back wall. I have Nero 3 set at 30-50 High Random, and Jaebo MLW20 set as 30% random.

My question is do I need flow which is substantially slower than above in this tank? If so, how frequent, how slow, and how long.

 

[Savage Henry]

Great question, I am following as some years ago I don’t think people varied there flow rate unless it was dinner time. So much has changed in the past 15 years or so. But, reefs still did well back then.

So, I’m interested in this topic and hoping people who do and those that don’t vary the flow rate respond.

 

[Marco_99]

I’m not really sure what your specific question is. I have a heavier sps tank with a few hammers and a couple Duncans mixed in. Currently running 3 mp40’s at about 60% reef crest from 8am-8pm and from 8pm-8am they switch to 35% lagoon mode while my fish and corals are resting. My light schedule is also pretty much aligned with the pump flow.

 

[merfury1989]

I’m not really sure what your specific question is. I have a heavier sps tank with a few hammers and a couple Duncans mixed in. Currently running 3 mp40’s at about 60% reef crest from 8am-8pm and from 8pm-8am they switch to 35% lagoon mode while my fish and corals are resting. My light schedule is also pretty much aligned with the pump flow.

My question is exactly what you are currently doing. So you have a flow rate which is roughly at half intensity for 2nd half of the day. So why you do this?

I have been told to have 2x [3-5hr half speed to the normal schedule] in 24hrs, so corals can rest. My question is does Reef have this going on during the night? I always assumed ocean are equally rough at night.

 

[MikeReefs]

Depends I have mine at random throughout the day & have my power heads alternate. At night I have both slightly higher on constant to kick up detritus. It really is all preference though. I don’t think the corals really care as longs as they are getting enough flow and not getting tossed around

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

IMO as long as the sand is not blowing around its not too much flow. I don't get the point of having different flow patterns throughout the day, but I know some people like it, I also know some people lower the flow through the night. Personally I don't think there's any right or wrong about it.

 

[vlangel]

I have my mp 10 and mp 40 and my Carefree Fish wavemaker all on random flow all the time. The only thing that provides a constant flow is my output from the canister filter but I have that dispersed by a spray bar.

 

[Malum Argenteum]

My question is do I need flow which is substantially slower than above in this tank?

If you turn down the flow, the response of the animals and the overall system might give clues about the answer.

Every reef tank is different, so the flow needs of each will be different. You might get some more detailed input by posting photos of the tank and detailed descriptions of how flow seems to currently affect each inhabitant (for example, 'this coral seems to always be closed, except the time the powerhead broke'), and also how it affects the whole system (e.g. 'detritus builds up every night in this corner').

 

[Marco_99]

My question is exactly what you are currently doing. So you have a flow rate which is roughly at half intensity for 2nd half of the day. So why you do this?

I have been told to have 2x [3-5hr half speed to the normal schedule] in 24hrs, so corals can rest. My question is does Reef have this going on during the night? I always assumed ocean are equally rough at night.

I think it is all just personal preference. I have a 4ft tank and my 2 return lines alone are pushing over 2,000gph and with 3 mp40’s my tank just has a lot of flow overall. I turn my pumps down a bit through the night because fish aren’t swimming around and there just is no need to push my pumps that hard for 24/7 , even cut at half my tank has a generous amount of flow yet. The other reason is my soft corals are shrunk up after the lights go down and it doesn’t beat them up in their semi closed down state. I also have two clowns that sleep on the back glass and a tang that sleeps in the open for half the night before he retreats to his cave so it lets them let their guard down a bit. All my crabs/shrimp and snails appreciate it as well as they come out after lights off and can scavenge about and not be blown off rocks and blown about the sand bed.

Every tank and setup is different and like repeated above I don’t think it matters as long as you aren’t creating an issue with something by not having enough or too much flow. After all it’s a semi controlled glass box, not the vast wide open ocean. But these are my personal reasons right or wrong