Flow

[Xtremedave67]

So I, as a newbie here, have been looking thru some of the threads and of course helps me get informed, but also raises more questions....I saw a thread about flow that made me question>>>>>>>>>>when placing power heads within the tank, what are the considerations for position? and direction of flow?
theoretically it seems to me placing the powerheads in a position that offers as much flow thru out the open space would make sense???

 

[Chichas01]

Your flow will depend on the livestock you want to keep. For example: SPS will be high flow; 30-60X or more. If you are starting out with softies then 10-20X might suffice. In either situation, I would look for producing broad flow producing power heads as opposed to your average power head. Check out Koralia, Tunze, or Vortech pumps. You also probably want to consider how flow will move around your rock work. Avoid the 'rock wall' across the back of the tank approach of just stacking everything up there if you can. Make it as open to flow as you are able to.
What are yout tanks specs? What is your end goal for the types of corals you would like to keep?

 

[Xtremedave67]

This will be our 1st reef tank, it is a 44 gallon corner pentangular tank, we thought at 1st we would do a seahorse aquarium, and bought a couple of 425gph Koralia nano's.
since putting water in it, discoverd sea horses really are not a novice livestock.
so changed gears and will probablt do a reef, not yet sure what level yet. until we upgrade our lighting, very limited. so far happen to have one rock that was full of Anthelia, that seems healthy, even with crappy lighting.
so to sum it up 44G about 60 lbs LR and 2" LS stock tank hood and light strips, a Prizm Skimmer (hand me down)
with future Sump/Refugium in plans

 

[NWDiver]

The idea is to keep detritus suspended so it can be removed by whatever filtration you are using. Play with them until you find that there are few "dead spots" of flow. If you have areas that collect detritus then change the aim a bit.
Let me know when you get new lights, you are close so I might have a frag or two to help you get started

-Todd

 

[Xtremedave67]

will do, thanks.....The lighting is an obviosu challenge to this tank. we have it in a location that wont allow me to build a canopy, so I am limited to commercial lighting i.e the clamp on 150w MH or the combo marineland reef pro unit ( I think Its called) which amaz3es me the cost of

 

[NWDiver]

Yeah, everything about this hobby is expensive
Check the for sale forum here, and watch craigslist.
I see pendants pretty often, if they would work it might be the best bet.