Small Tank Flow Discussion

[E.intheC]

For the past few years, I've had smaller sized tanks (50 gallons or less), most of which have been mixed reef setups. In that time I've tried many different flow options, powerhead brands, sizes, etc.

I currently have a 40 breeder with one MP10 and the return from my sump providing some additional flow. I hope to add another MP10 very soon, as I'd like to be able to run them each at about 50% capacity. (It's my personal opinion that Vortechs should, if possible, be run at lower percentages of capacity so they are quieter, run cooler, and last longer.) I'm also looking forward to the varied flow options I'll have.

What does everyone else use? What have you found out to be too much/incorrect flow? What issues have you run into?

 

[NYreefNoob]

2 mp40's on my 80g tank ran at 3\4 power and only about 300 gph on return

 

[E.intheC]

Rick what are the dimensions of your 80 gallon?

I've had an MP20 on a Solana on the right hand side and thought it was perfect. The MP10 however wasn't a great fit IMO for a small cube tank like that. I feel like the 20's are better at quickly disbursing flow at a very wide angle than the MP10s. Not saying the 10's are too narrow, but the 20 was a better fit.

I've also had Koralias and Maxi Jets on smaller tanks, such as the 20 high. Those worked great for the LPS and zoanthids that I kept at the time.

 

[E.intheC]

(I'm just going to keep adding stuff as I think of them :lol2

I also had a 45 gallon cube with the following: MP20 (nice enough flow.. can't really complain. Usually kept it at about 60% max)

MP10 x1. Not enough flow for this cube setup, unless you're going with a FOWLR.
MP10 x2 along the back wall. This would be perfect, IMO for an SPS dominate tank. Overkill (somewhat) for an LPS/Softie tank but you can turn them down, obviously.

 

[DHaut]

MP40 on my 40b.

 

[NYreefNoob]

3x2x22, pumps are 3" off the top and my return is in the left corner and just has enough extension to come in below water level and blows straight down. the flow throughout the tank will chamge dramatically depending on rock work, one of the things i laughed at when vortek advertised their pump by itsself in a tank with the wave and soon as you put your hand in all that wave stopped, both of my pumps are on the left side of the tank blowing across so i kinda get a circulation flow across the top then as it hits opposite side flow across the bottom and back up

 

[adamt]

I heard for sps 40x to 50x turnover is reccomended, for lps and softies its like 20x and hour. I think the hard part is getting a good non linear flow. Im saving my money for tunze wave box, with the hopes that it will replace most of my powerheads. I just think that water blasting out of a pump no matter how you configure them isnt the same as the constant ebb and flow of the ocean.

 

[E.intheC]

3x2x22, pumps are 3" off the top and my return is in the left corner and just has enough extension to come in below water level and blows straight down. the flow throughout the tank will chamge dramatically depending on rock work, one of the things i laughed at when vortek advertised their pump by itsself in a tank with the wave and soon as you put your hand in all that wave stopped, both of my pumps are on the left side of the tank blowing across so i kinda get a circulation flow across the top then as it hits opposite side flow across the bottom and back up

That's an excellent sized tank. I agree with you on the waves, although I'm able to get about a 1/2 inch wave in my breeder, even with just the MP10.

 

[adamt]

I just picked up a timer for the two koralia twos in my tank. It runs one for 20 seconds and then cuts off and runs the one on the ooposite side for 20 seconds. I find this set up is working way better than just blasting the two koralias at eachother. The timer is called Natural Wave and I got it at a lfs for $60 though they are way cheaper on line. All in all Im real happy with it, and think its a good option for tanks that are too small for a wave maker.

 

[mheaven]

Well for flow in my 40B I had 2 MP10, 2 Seio 620, and my return pump was a Reeflo dart with an Oceans Motion. Estimated water flow from the return was around 1400 gph. Sps grew like weeds and plenty of polyp extension. That's what worked for me, and I forgot to mention it was a BB tank.


Sent from my iPod touch using Reefs

 

[aznt1217]

1 MP40W ES on my 72 Bow.

2 MP40W ES's on my 125... if I ever get that up and running lol.

1 MP10 on a 20 Gallon Long

I base the flow on the length and aquascaping. I don't have much obstructing the MP40 on the 72 Bow so I don't worry about using 2 powerheads. Although I will admit I ran a MP10 and a MP20 on it and it worked really well. I feel like on full reef crest mode the 40W is more than enough paired with my return pump.