Too Much Flow...

[Servillius]

Here’s a quick pic for those of you wondering if you’re hitting you poor corals with too much flow.

This is my Tunze 6105, which has one of the most concentrated direct narrow flow jets out there. That birds nest is getting hit head on and growing fast.

 

[Flippers4pups]

They, as some sps, will grow away from the direction of flow. Tips will curl in that direction in time.

 

[Graffiti Spot]

Yeah thats my let peve with birdsnest in people's tank, don't like the wierd growth. I like the tight uniform growth from my birdsnest. Which comes from heavy random flow :)

Good example of how you can't really have too much flow as well.

 

[Servillius]

They, as some sps, will grow away from the direction of flow. Tips will curl in that direction in time.

That frag has actually grown quite a bit. I have the pumps cycled such that it gets hit pretty hard with counterflow a fair part of the time.

 

[Neo Jeo]

So what your saying there can’t be to much flow? I got 2 power heads and I’m adding another one tomorrow. I was just worried it would be to much flow

 

[ZoWhat]

SPS, lots of flow
LPS, med to low flow

you have to know at what DEPTH your coral naturally thrives at. less the 5ft high flow. 20+ft med to low flow

 

[ZaneTer]

SPS, lots of flow
LPS, med to low flow

you have to know at what DEPTH your coral naturally thrives at. less the 5ft high flow. 20+ft med to low flow

That’s a bit of a broad statement. Can you provide flow velocities found at those depths? You give me that and tank dimensions and I will calculate required turnover.

 

[Servillius]

Honestly it seems to me corals want consistent flow expectations more than anything. They adapt to lots of flow environments as long as the variations are predictable enough that they can. That doesn't mean don't use random flow. They'll figure out what they need to adapt even there. But if you keep futzing with pump positions and flow patterns, it takes them time to adapt.

Corals just seem to like to get used to a spot with all its environmental characteristics then have lots of consistency.