Was it biopellet?

Myka · #1 05-20-2013, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrhasan

I have a wp40 in my tank running at 18V so its plenty of flow.

I can't find a flow chart for that powerhead, and I've never actually seen one before, but using some simple math if the flow is 1130 gph at 12V and 3400 gph at 24V then I assume it must be around 1600 gph at 18V. There is probably a bell curve, but this is my closest guess. If indeed there is only 1600 gph and that is the only powerhead in the tank then there is about 24x turnover. That is reasonable, but certainly not high enough to assume you have enough flow. "Plenty of flow" is not necessarily a number value either - observation of inhabitants is your best bet. Brown Jelly would certainly make me take a look at flow first and foremost. Another thought would be chemical warfare.

A single powerhead also creates a lot of dead spots, and certainly lots of variable flow strength within the system. It's tough to run a reef tank with only one powerhead, personally I would want two in a tank that size to better get more consistent flow throughout.

mrhasan · #2 05-20-2013, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myka

I can't find a flow chart for that powerhead, and I've never actually seen one before, but using some simple math if the flow is 1130 gph at 12V and 3400 gph at 24V then I assume it must be around 1600 gph at 18V. There is probably a bell curve, but this is my closest guess. If indeed there is only 1600 gph and that is the only powerhead in the tank then there is about 24x turnover. That is reasonable, but certainly not high enough to assume you have enough flow. "Plenty of flow" is not necessarily a number value either - observation of inhabitants is your best bet. Brown Jelly would certainly make me take a look at flow first and foremost. Another thought would be chemical warfare.

A single powerhead also creates a lot of dead spots, and certainly lots of variable flow strength within the system. It's tough to run a reef tank with only one powerhead, personally I would want two in a tank that size to better get more consistent flow throughout.

Don't really know what the flow rate is at 18v but anything above that literally blows away the corals (and the sand at the far end of the tank; even at the back). And I read somewhere that at 18v, it runs at 70% intensity but like you have mentioned, an exponential relationship won't justify that. I will post a video so that you can see and suggest whether I need more flow; I can definitely add another powerhead but that might blow away the corals :P

11purewater · #3 05-20-2013, 10:16 PM

Any heat spikes?

mrhasan · #4 05-20-2013, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 11purewater

Any heat spikes?

Nop.

11purewater · #5 05-20-2013, 11:04 PM

Well I'm sure you of all people will recover from this episode.Even with all the technology and new gadgets It's still hit or miss in the best of tanks.Sometimes there is no answer or cure.Hit the reset button and go back to what worked for you.

mrhasan · #6 05-20-2013, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 11purewater

Well I'm sure you of all people will recover from this episode.Even with all the technology and new gadgets It's still hit or miss in the best of tanks.Sometimes there is no answer or cure.Hit the reset button and go back to what worked for you.

You spoke my mind

I am happy that things have gone back to being normal other than the colors of some SPS. No biopellet or anything; I will resort back to my old methodology of reefing.

11purewater · #7 05-20-2013, 11:16 PM

Good to hear ,Post pics ...We like pics...

naesco · #8 05-21-2013, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrhasan

You spoke my mind

I am happy that things have gone back to being normal other than the colors of some SPS. No biopellet or anything; I will resort back to my old methodology of reefing.

Good news. Go slooooow.
Wayne

mrhasan · #9 05-20-2013, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myka

I can't find a flow chart for that powerhead, and I've never actually seen one before, but using some simple math if the flow is 1130 gph at 12V and 3400 gph at 24V then I assume it must be around 1600 gph at 18V. There is probably a bell curve, but this is my closest guess. If indeed there is only 1600 gph and that is the only powerhead in the tank then there is about 24x turnover. That is reasonable, but certainly not high enough to assume you have enough flow. "Plenty of flow" is not necessarily a number value either - observation of inhabitants is your best bet. Brown Jelly would certainly make me take a look at flow first and foremost. Another thought would be chemical warfare.

A single powerhead also creates a lot of dead spots, and certainly lots of variable flow strength within the system. It's tough to run a reef tank with only one powerhead, personally I would want two in a tank that size to better get more consistent flow throughout.

Here's a video for you to judge the flow:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVvMkrpOfgE

Myka · #10 05-21-2013, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrhasan

Here's a video for you to judge the flow

Hmm, looks like more than 1600 gph to me. It does look like it is doing quite a good job of creating flow throughout the tank since you have your rocks designed to work with the single powerhead well. Good planning.

My "official" guess then is Xenia Syndrome (my own term lol). Sometimes Xenia melts for no apparent reason, other than the tank has aged. It seems like Xenia prefers new tanks, although this is not always true. The rest of your corals should be ok with a couple waterchanges and some fresh carbon.