Struggling with flow 5ft Tank

LagunaGlide · Sep 29, 2025

I am really struggling to get my flow right in my new 60x24 tank. I started this tank as an upgrade from my 20Gallon cube. I am running 2 old school icecap gyre 3k. These pumps have been sitting in a box for some time unused, so I figured I would put them to use on this tank. I would like to get a Hydros Wave Engine eventually, but figure I should decide if I can keep running these first or not.

My plans are to have my euphyllia remain where they are and flow into the open space between the rocks. On the other end at the high arch I would like to have some SPS here. Thinking about doing a big goni garden on the large flat rock.

As you can see in the videos, and in the pictures below my torch, hammer, and frogspawn on the rocks are just not extending like they use to. Especially the hammer. In the cube it was beautifully extended. I have tried more flow, less flow, changed the direction of the flow a bit as it was getting pounded at one point, and I just can't get it right. Yet, the new eupyllia on the frag rack extends and waves, and looks great!

Currently my gyres are programmed as follows
Right Side (Euphyllia side)
8:20am 20% constant
10:15am - 20% gradual pulsing .4 seconds
3:05pm - 30% gradual pulsing .5 seconds
8:05pm - 30% Random
11pm - 10% constant

Left side (SPS side)
8am - 30% gradual pulsing .4 seconds
10:15 am 40% Random
3pm - 50% Random
8pm - 40% pulsing .4 seconds
11pm - 20% constant

I am a little concerned that the SPS side is going to be blasting the corals I place here and maybe it will be too much. My euphyllia isn't happy, and it looks like my Green Monti Spongodes is dying.

Some additional info. Par is still ramping up as the tank has been in acclimation mode for a month. Once it ends this week the euphyllia on the rock should be around 150par. Currently, the torch on the rock is getting 140, the hammer is getting 145, the Monti Spongodes is getting 120.

All of these corals were getting less light in the old tank, but I was slowly brining it up as I only got a PAR meter in the last year, and was surprised how little light these corals were getting.

I could really use some advice on my flow, and frankly if I need to turn the lights down I am willing to do that too. I am not completely opposed to moving the euphyllia, but I did have what I thought was a neat idea having them extend into the open space, and then duncans or goni on the other side.

Timfish · Sep 30, 2025

I would consider the possibility the lack of extension has nothing to do with flow. You mentioned light has changed and that will affect how polyps look and act as well as water parameters and then there's all the microbial stuff as well. As it sounds like your older euphylia had been in your previous system awhile it may just be they need longer to acclimate and trying to change things around isn't giving them the time they need. So my reccomendation is be more patient, and look at the other variables betweeen your old system where they looked the way you liked and your new system.

LagunaGlide · Oct 2, 2025

Timfish said:
I would consider the possibility the lack of extension has nothing to do with flow. You mentioned light has changed and that will affect how polyps look and act as well as water parameters and then there's all the microbial stuff as well. As it sounds like your older euphylia had been in your previous system awhile it may just be they need longer to acclimate and trying to change things around isn't giving them the time they need. So my reccomendation is be more patient, and look at the other variables betweeen your old system where they looked the way you liked and your new system.

I just wanted to pop in real quick and say thank you, and that you’re likely correct. I’ve left everything along for a few days, and the acclimation period has ended on the lights.

I also started slowly dosing for with a 2 part to get things closer to where they need to be.

Already the hammer and torch are extending a little more, but so is my green stylo that hasn’t been extending much either.

BryanM · Oct 2, 2025

You likely have one of your answers already - if they were doing better in less light, then that might be the big difference. It will take them time to adjust. As a test I might consider moving one lower, or in to a more shaded area and see if it perks like like it was in the old tank before the move.

That seems like a lot of flow for them, but not too high, just a lot, at least to me. All of mine are in about 1/2 that much flow.