newbie flow question

jonh5150

jonh5150

New member
Everyone here seems really cool so I feel I can ask this without being torched ;)
I have a 75 gallon standard 4ft reef ready. My rockwork is more or less an island in the center of the tank.
I have a small acan frag, a hammer coral, a pulsing xenia, two star polyps, kenya tree, a nice zoa, jasmine polyp

here is my confusion..... I have and mp-10 on one side and Koralia evolution 550 on the other. My corals seem happy.
If I put two MP-40s in my tank which is what has been suggested I think the xenia and the hammer would board up the windows
and leave! So am I doing something wrong or do I just have the wrong mix of corals. Like I said I'm knew to this so I am just trying to wrap my head around it.
 
Not in the least wrong, you need to realize that the mp40 creates a much more gentle flow pattern than either of your current pumps, along with a much wider angle of flow as well, when dialed down lower the mp40 still move a lot of water but do so with a gentle push, not turbulent flow like you are probably used to. The 40s will create a very nice undertow of water movement along your sandbed as well. You will be happy with them once you have them installed and dialed in for your tank.
 
Thanks, that makes sense.... I guess were I got in trouble was I started with two Koralia 3's and then I read all over where guys were running two k-4's in a 55 gallon and it wasn't enough. I think I just don't know how to place my pumps or I don't give my corals time to acclimate to them. I think my xenia is just to long and thin and I use that to judge the flow......or I have a couple of mutant k3's
 
if your lighting is not intense enough some of your corals will reach and extend for them. If flow is low they will grow longer. I have mushrooms in my refugium that have 1" stalks on them. I think people recommend the 2 mp40's so you can run them at 50-70% to quiet them down. You could get 2 more mp10s and sink them all and have awesome flow. I run two mp40s on my 72" 150 and it is plenty. I do run them at 95%.
 
You do not need 2 MP40's. I have 1 on my 90G SPS tank and it is fine. 2 of them is total overkill in a 75G LPS/Softie tank, just my humble opinion. 1 MP40 and your existing MP10 would be a-okay.
 
EricTheRed said:
You do not need 2 MP40's. I have 1 on my 90G SPS tank and it is fine. 2 of them is total overkill in a 75G LPS/Softie tank, just my humble opinion. 1 MP40 and your existing MP10 would be a-okay.
Click to expand...

this.

I've got 1 mp40 in my 75 at about 95% and even my SPS are practically suspended in the water column...
 
I think i'm starting to understand the vortechs logic is to oversize the pump and run it slower. The reason they recommend two is to get more chaotic flow. Where I get lost is the guys/gals that have 2 koralia 4's and a maxi-jet mod and giant return in a 55. I'm exagerating a little . I just dont understand how they get all that powerfull flow to be gentle?
 
jonh5150 said:
IThe reason they recommend two is to get more chaotic flow.
Click to expand...

If money was no object, then yes, absolutely we'd all want 2 Vortechs. There's no doubt that you'll get better flow patterns with 2, although 1 produces plenty to keep my corals happy. I really like the backand forth wave I get in short-pulse mode.

Single MP40 in my 90G on Short-PulseMode......http://youtu.be/J5F2hCvbbKc
 
I totally agree with the money aspect. I see some of the custom builds and what they spec into them and its like wow really! I love my tank but I can only use my play money for it and 900.00 for pumps is A LOT :) worth every penny , but that's a lot of pennies.
I totally respect the guys who can pour that kind of money into it, but maybe we need a class for the weekend warriors! :)
 
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