More flow for my 72g reef

[rfny75]

Hi, my tank has been running since last xmas, I started adding hard corals now and it seems like I don't have enough flow.

I currently have 2x Koralia 4 on the sides and 1x Koralia 3 behind the rocks positioned upwards.

I actually purchased 2 Vortechs but unfortunately I had to return them since the tank is my bedroom, and these guys were noisy to have in the bedroom.

What would you recommend? should I add more Koralias to the existing ones? other brands and get rid of the Koralias?

What I'm looking for is:
1. No noise
2. Minimal heat
3. Power head that can rotate
4. Enough flow for hard corals

Thanks all for your feedback!

Ed

 

[Solace Aquatics LLC]

If you have good turn over rate, you could use Wavy Seas

Or if you decide to upgrade your pump to a pressure rated pump, you can use Wavy Seas with Penductors.

 

[rfny75]

If you have good turn over rate, you could use Wavy Seas

Or if you decide to upgrade your pump to a pressure rated pump, you can use Wavy Seas with Penductors.

Just saw a video of this product on youtube, seems nice but unfortunately don't have room to fit it in with the way my lights and cabinet are right now :-( any other suggestions?

 

[rfny75]

:bump:

 

[mandown123]

they make controllable koralias now. they can be hooked up to a wavemaker device they sell.

what makes you think you don't have enough flow?

 

[meschaefer]

what makes you think you don't have enough flow?

That was my first question.

 

[Solace Aquatics LLC]

they make controllable koralias now. they can be hooked up to a wavemaker device they sell.

what makes you think you don't have enough flow?

He already has Koralias, adding a controller will not make them push anymore water. The controllable models push about the same amount of water.

 

[mandown123]

[edit] Water movement
Water movement is important in the reef aquarium with different types of coral requiring different flow rates. At present, many hobbyists advocate a water turnover rate of 10x: 10 x aquarium capacity in gallons = required flow in gallons per hour. This is a general rule with many exceptions. For instance, Mushroom Coral requires little flow and is commonly found in crevices near the base of the reef. Species such as Acropora and Montipora thrive under much more turbulent conditions in the range of 30 to 40 times more flow, which imitates breaking waves in shallow water near the tip of the reef. The directions which water pumps are pointed within an aquarium will have a large effect on flow speeds.

from wikipedia reef aquariums. i think your corals look spectacular!

 

[meschaefer]

from wikipedia reef aquariums. i think your corals look spectacular!

Thanks, that is not really what I meant. Even if we are to assume the numbers found in the wikipedia article, he has close to 45x times turn over without even considering the amount of flow derived by his return pump.


The question is really this. What has changed in his tank, that he no longer believes the flow that was working out for him yesterday, is no longer sufficient today.

 

[rfny75]

they make controllable koralias now. they can be hooked up to a wavemaker device they sell.

what makes you think you don't have enough flow?

My Capricornis color is fading, tested all the parameters and they're good, the LFS suggested adding more flow since now I'm starting to add hard corals.

 

[Wes]

The Tunze streams are much more quiet than Vortechs.

a Tunze 6101 or 6100 (older version) puts out about the same amount of flow as a Vortech. They are controllable, require little maintenance, and are very reliable in my experience.

The Tunze nanostreams have a nice size but In my opinion are more problematic than the Streams

 

[meschaefer]

I dont think flow is your problem. How long have you had it?

 

[rfny75]

For almost 3 weeks, got it from a friend who had it in his tank for about 4 years! I doesn't look like it's bleaching, just the color faded a bit since I got it

I dont think flow is your problem. How long have you had it?

 

[grundig5]

Thats a very normal process, give it a few weeks or sometimes even a few months to adjust. I have corals that have gone from stunning show pieces to brown and have taken 6+ months to get even close to the way they first looked. Just needs time and stable parameters :splitspin

 

[rfny75]

Ok, I guess I have to put my patience hat on :pimp:

 

[cali_reef]

If you have good turn over rate, you could use Wavy Seas

Or if you decide to upgrade your pump to a pressure rated pump, you can use Wavy Seas with Penductors.

I am pretty sure a pressure rated pump and penductor(s) will be louder than few Vortechs.