How to know if you have the right FLOW.

[charlie]

The best I've seen yet on flow :

I met him in Tri-Cities WA. He is a pretty decent guy too!!!

[tommyc]

I would go with the most expensive PH's you can afford. The Tunze's are much better quality than the Korilia's JMHO.

[charlie]

I will agree with that!! The good part though, is that Korallia sure has come a long way from their beginnings, and they are very affordable. The problem with Tunze, is that you pay alot for just the name.
I think that Korallia has also come out with controllable pumps, granted they are a little higher priced. I don't know anybody that has these!!!

[reefhead728]

Wish i could try me some of those new controllable Korallias. Maybe ill buy a set up and if i like keep it and if i dont take it back.

[charlie]

The price is better than the Tunze or Vortech, i will just wager that there may be a difference in the longevity, know what I mean? But, then again, if you keep up with the maintenance on them, maybe they do last as long. What I really like about them is the adjustability in the tank, something the Vortechs have yet to figure out.

[tommyc]

If you plan on possibly returning or exchanging them make sure you keep the receipt and original packaging.

[reefhead728]

Will do Tommy. It might be a while down the road. Charlie told me i had to get some corlas in my tank first.

[charlie]

Oh come on!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Actually, the powerheads first may not be a bad idea because that way you will know what they do to your sandbed before the fact.
You are going to be fooling around with them anyways trying to get that"perfect flow", which of course will never happen.

[reefhead728]

Just doing a little bit of reading.

As a rule of thumb, it is often stated that you should have an internal water movement in your aquarium at least 10 to 20 times the aquariums volume per hour. so basicly if you run a 65gal tank you would need at least 650 to 1300 gal pump per hour.

so with my 125 its stating i would need at least a 1200 to a 2400 gal pump per hour or are they stating that your total water movement is my return and my powerheads together to equal 1200 to 2400?


{Charlie would need a pool pump}

[charlie]

I have a pool pump!!!!!!

I turn mine over 35-40 times an hour, and that counts everything. I really don't know if that is a solid thing to go by.............................i think all you really need to do is just make sure you have good random flow. Of course that is accomplished by adding as many things to your tank as is humanly possible.

You see, they have got you coming and going!!! Welcome to the endless money pit.

[tommyc]

Actually, it would be 1250 and 2500 gph. I don't think internal water movement includes return water. Return equals water turn over I believe. I wouldn't include the return water flow. The more flow the better in my opinion. As long as your fish are not being blown around by too much current you should be good to go.

[charlie]

If their lips don't look like that NASCAR commercial, you are fine. I know there is also a joke that could be mentioned here, but this is a family place.

[reefhead728]

Can it wait for Millertime Charlie?

[reefhead728]

So right now im running just my return and a K4. the k4 is rated at 1200, i also still have 3 k2s i can throw in.

[charlie]

It all depends on where you place them Jeremy, if you can get them in there, and not have your sandbed halfway down your overflow...............

For an example, Cynthia is running 2 of the K2's in that 80, along with the return from a Mag 9.5, and all it will take is a little adjustment here and there, and I think she could probably throw another one in there just for giggles.

[reefhead728]

Thats what im thinking.

Im running the mag 9.5 on the 125 as the return, i have the k4 pushing water back towards the return.

[charlie]

Hey, whatever works!!!! That is what is so frustrating sometimes when somebody will ask how much flow they need........................well geez, a guy has to know a whole bunch of things before you can even start to figure it out. Know what I mean??

[reefhead728]

Here is my preschool drawing of my flow

Attachment 11995

[tommyc]

Wow, nice flowjob.

[reefhead728]

YEP my 5 year old said i could help her with her homework anyday, smart a$$ little kid