How much flow is too much flow?

mark · #1 10-20-2009, 12:31 PM

definitely some extremes but this thread gives an idea what others have

Snaz · #2 10-20-2009, 01:07 PM

Flow is species dependent. On one end you have sea horses and pipefish and the other end SPS. For my mostly LPS 12 gallon nano I have a Maxijet 1200 return pump and a Koralia 1. Every tank will have high and low flow areas so place your animals accordingly.

Yes you should probably have at least one powerhead.

Fishward · #3 10-20-2009, 05:02 PM

Thanks guys,
Seems im on the low side for this tank.. I do want to keep corals so i'd better go about getting a powerhead i guess.

kodadad · #4 03-24-2010, 01:32 PM

I have a 33 gallon and I am running 2 koralia 2's, a maxijet 1200 on my skimmer and Aquaclear 50

Works out to around 60x flow

A lot but no one seems unhappy...

Wayne · #5 06-28-2010, 12:04 AM

In my 29g I have a 750g/hr, 850g/hr, another very small powerhead. A fluval 450 which puts out at least 250g/hr at its setting, plus the Red Sea Prism Skimmer... So flow isn't a problem for me, or dead spots

Rbacchiega · #6 09-14-2010, 06:03 AM

*cracks fingers and neck*
ahhhh, first "real" post since the return.

Alright, if your tank is anything like I remember hex's to be it's a taller tank, so you'll need to keep that in mind when it comes to things like coral placement, lighting and of course, flow.

What kind of corals you plan on keeping will determine just how much flow you're going to need/want.

For softies/lps you could realistically get away with a larger, powerful powerhead (think Koralia 2 or 3) placed lower in the tank to provide an upward/circular current and your return pump to pick up the slack near the higher parts of the tank. If you're going the SPS route, you'll need more flow, alternating currents and a strong light source...so even though you may be in the early stages of planning this reef out, a final picture is needed so we know what you're shooting for.

Welcome to reefing, may the gods have pity on you ha ha ha

lastlight · #7 09-14-2010, 06:09 AM

Agree with all that except the SPS/random flow bit. I think that's been hyped a bit much. I might also be saying that because I can't currently afford any sexy controlled powerheads but my sps are very happy.

(first response to your first real comeback post)