What are you using for flow? SPS keepers

MoshJosh

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I use two very oversized wave makers plus filtration in my 40 gallon. Think both are rated for double or more my tank size. . . Coral placement near the wave makers is tough cause even some of my acros can't tolerate it. . . Though i have a sabae anemone that doesnt seem to mind it haha.
 

Lavey29

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I run 2 MP40s at 25% max in reefcrest mode on my 3 foot tank. Its plenty for sticks. I am one that believes less flow is all that is really required for our glass boxes and when people slam their sidewalls with high flow pulse you might be creating a future side panel fail event at some point too.

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reef’r

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I run 2 MP40s at 25% max in reefcrest mode on my 3 foot tank. Its plenty for sticks. I am one that believes less flow is all that is really required for our glass boxes and when people slam their sidewalls with high flow pulse you might be creating a future side panel fail event at some point too.

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Baller tank dude
 

YashaHashaMashaAZ

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I have 2 coralvue OP2s and 1 icecap 2k, my dual returns have VCA random flow generators on them. My tank is 48x22x22 i believe.
I love the OP2s and I really like the gyre. My only beef with the gyre is that it’s ugly and takes up more space than to OPs. I originally went with an icecap 4k but man that thing is huge, so it’s been sitting in my cabinet collecting dust. Flow is great throughout the tank.
 
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reef’r

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I think I’ll have plenty of flow at my disposal with what I currently have plus having a couple different manufacturers in the tank I think it adds to the randomness of flow. If I do add a gyre I may just put it on my overflow blowing to the front but I’m nervous about putting an exterior magnet in the water
 

gman107

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I think I’ll have plenty of flow at my disposal with what I currently have plus having a couple different manufacturers in the tank I think it adds to the randomness of flow. If I do add a gyre I may just put it on my overflow blowing to the front but I’m nervous about putting an exterior magnet in the water
Some people seal magnet in food saver vacuum bags they say it works just an idea ! 💡
 

Reef-Engineer

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I have VCA random flow generators on 4 return nozzles, 2 MP60s on the back wall, and a Tunze 6255 on the top left alternating strong and weak flow. The tank has a lot of flow such that I primarily use reborn as a substrate.

300g tank (6'x30"x32")

You can see pump placement during this water change....

IMG_5918.jpg
 

Foneman02

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Similar tank dimensions with my 60 breeder. I’m just running offset opposing DMP40s at 35% random flow. Anything more and it will blow sand everywhere. Still had to add argonite chunky pieces in certain areas. I think it’s great flow for the future sticks. Plus dual return outlets with random flow outlets.
IMG_8042.jpeg
Jon i was looking at your light set up . Did you buy this holder for the lights or was it DIY?
 

jonelder68

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No i fabr
Jon i was looking at your light set up . Did you buy this holder for the lights or was it DIY?
No. I fabricated it all myself. Here’s some better pictures. Didn’t like anything out there, the reef taxes, plus I just find better ways of doing things 🤣
A8EF4351-F299-4C21-85A0-3FFA78199E61.jpeg

AA604AE5-BDFD-4038-B2C7-65EEF14DC224.jpeg
 
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mcarroll

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Tank is 48x24x16

Really like their stuff and tempted to run a stream 3…. Just a steep price tag
Stream 3 isn't probably the best way to go for this tank IMO....(like to hear alternate views on this tho!)

You could get away with spending a lot less on flow and still have a BOMB sps tank, but most folks don't even consider non-controllable pumps anymore. Controllable is fun, but corals literally couldn't care less.

Lotsa ways you could roll it (this post might help), and here's are some ideas:

4 x Tunze nanostream 6045's

Two on each end. Add two appliance timers (or better) to alternate one side on/off every 3-4 hours....emulate tidal flows.

6045's are $90, so that's <$400 out the door, maybe even including the timers if you need them. IMO this combo would be the best option for a tank this size.

Can always go bigger (now or later on) with the 6065's, 6085's or 6125's ($160-$250 ea) if you wanted to try it with fewer pumps or just wanted even more flow.

2 x Tunze stream 6065's will also do it....$320 out the door.

You get the idea... :)

The shrouded design of these pumps makes them more resistant to blowing sand around and to creating vortexes at the surface, BTW. Nice when you are experimenting with placement.
 

Marco_99

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Similar tank dimensions with my 60 breeder. I’m just running offset opposing DMP40s at 35% random flow. Anything more and it will blow sand everywhere. Still had to add argonite chunky pieces in certain areas. I think it’s great flow for the future sticks. Plus dual return outlets with random flow outlets.
IMG_8042.jpeg
This is kinda where I am at with 2 offset mp40’s on each end running about 30-40% and dual returns running 80% off my return pump. With my deeper tank I could use one more down lower on the back. I could go a vertical gyre on the side down the back of my rocks but I don’t want cords in there and the maintenance of a gyre so probably will get 1 more mp40 for the job
 

skey44

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I have the same tank with 2x mp40 and an mp10. I think I’ll have to add more flow eventually but for now it’s working. As high as possible, they suck in air every now and then, but not really a big deal. I run lagoon mode on the mp40 at 25-30% and the mp10 I run on constant about 50%.
Running special grade reef sand fyi. It blows around a bit but I’m ok with it. Nothing crazy able to avoid bare spots on bottom glass.
Also run your sump flow slow and point the return nozzles straight to the sides. This helped my tank clear the surface film much better.
Filter cups are awesome with the waterbox sump too. Just change the bulk poly fil when it starts to back up.
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IMG_6202.jpeg
 

jonelder68

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This is kinda where I am at with 2 offset mp40’s on each end running about 30-40% and dual returns running 80% off my return pump. With my deeper tank I could use one more down lower on the back. I could go a vertical gyre on the side down the back of my rocks but I don’t want cords in there and the maintenance of a gyre so probably will get 1 more mp40 for the job
If I ever get to the point of adding my acros I do plan on adding a small mp10 or dmp10 to the back glass to help break up the side to side flow more. Probably run it on a random pulse mode. We shall see.
 

skey44

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In theory using the longest dimension of your tank to send water across is going to be best to produce flow throughout the tank. My MP are slammed to the top as I said. Just wanted to say you’ll have the most success in my opinion in your tank if you aim the flow devices the longest uninterrupted stretch you can. My front MP shoots across the whole front of the tank uninterrupted. The back two aim into rocks or acros and are not as effective, hence two along the back. I do plan to add a gyre as the next device as I think the type of flow is likely to do well in this tank due to its shallowness and limits to aquascaping and coral placements. It also is difficult to maintain a sand bed with the right amount of flow but I work to keep one for the benefits and the wrasses. A uniform sheet of flow across the top sounds appealing as something missing from my setup.
 

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