How to know if you have the right FLOW.

[reefhead728]

Just thought we could run throught how water flow is important to reef tanks.

[charlie]

Just for grins, do a search on Jake Adams. He authored a 5 part series on flow in reef tanks in Advanced Aquarist magazine, a couple of years ago. I think you will find it eye opening, that is for sure. That and the fact that it will keep you busy for a good part of the afternoon.

[reefhead728]

Keeping water flow and direction is a very important requirement to keeping your corals happy and healthy. Some corals need a harder water flow than others. Figured we could discuse some of the diffrent ways to control flow and diffrent types of poweheads, for anyone who is just starting and needs to understand there importance.

[reefhead728]

Charlie I knew you would have something useful as always.

[charlie]

Like I said, it will definitely be thought provoking. I missed his speech in the Tri-Cities this year, but I did get to talk to him afterwards on the subject and he knows his stuff. I personally think the new era of flow devices that have come onto the market in the last 3 years or so are definitely right on. Take for instance the Korallias, a wide spread out flow. I don't know if you have ever had any contact with anybody that has Tunze products, but the amount of flow they create and the way you can manipulate them with the controller is amazing. Just recently Vortech has come out with something similar!!!!

[reefhead728]

I have seen new Korallias with wave control the new ones are more round than the older football shape and the price i think is very resonable.

[charlie]

I will have to take a look at those. I know someone in Spokane that is going to use the K7, is that what you are thinking?

[reefhead728]

yea thats it they didnt stop producing the older models they just added the new ones. I think it goes K5 through K8 that are the controlable models.

[charlie]

yeah, I was just looking at those before you replied. nice stuff!!!!

[reefhead728]

I just bought my K4 about 4 months ago and now i want a K8 my wifes going to kill me if she even hears the word korallias.

[charlie]

Sneak in another K4.

I have 2 Vortech MP40's with a controller that I am still trying to figure out where the heck I can use them in that 300. Where there is a will, there is a way!!!!

[reefhead728]

I still have 3 k2 that i had in my 55 now i use them to stir my freshwater and saltwater premixed tanks.

[charlie]

Here are the links to Jake Adams articles:

Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine - Feature Article: Water flow is more important for corals than light. Part 1. Introduction to Gas Exchange

Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine - Feature Article: Water flow is more important for corals than light. Part II: The science of corals and water flow

Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine - Feature Article: Water flow is more important for corals, Part III

Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine - Feature Article: Water Flow is More Important for Corals Than Light Part 4: Basics of Hydrodynamics

Advanced Aquarist's Online Magazine - Feature Article: Water Flow is More Important for Corals Than Light, Part V

[reefhead728]

Thanks for the posts charlie.

[Parrothead]

Thanks Charlie,

I've spent the last 20 minutes trying to find those articles, did find his website for coral and fish idea, downloadable to ipods, cell phones, pda, etc as well as home computers. Haven't done it yet but plan to.

Thanks Again for the info

Tanks,
Robert

[tommyc]

I have a Tunze 6045. It's an awesome piece of equipment, but expensive.

[metalhead]

I have seen new Korallias with wave control the new ones are more round than the older football shape and the price i think is very resonable.

Very nice indeed...

The Koralia Magnums - They're electronic so you can use them with standard "on-off" wave-makers like the red-sea. If you opt for the Koralia Magnum controller/pump combo you also get the added assurance of knowing that your pumps will never be shut off and on unless the power goes out... they just vary the flow intensity continuously and are infinitely adjustable, or at least that's what I'm told.

I've been through several maxi-jets with the red-sea wave-maker so far and just recently fried a Tunze 6160 so something's got to give eventually. Thinking of picking up a Magnum or two for now but may look at the combo later if not a tunze wavemaker instead

[metalhead]

Oh, and BTW... Thanks 4 the links Charlie

[charlie]

Hey, no problem, it is a good read, isn't it?

[metalhead]

Hey, no problem, it is a good read, isn't it?

The best I've seen yet on flow :