20 gallon reef, need help with flow.

Brian Bivens

Brian Bivens

Labeotropheus Trawavasae
Jun 8, 2007
886
0
16
45
Colorado Springs
I have a 20 long tank with two hob filters (ac20 pennplax 150), pennplax internal filter, ac30 power head and low flow 40gph sump.

My question is, after all these filters, I still have dead spots and I was thinking of getting rid of half of these filters and adding a couple of koralias. What should I get, 2 nanos, 2 k1s?

Also I have a bubble coral and mushrooms that do t do too well with lots of direct flow. Also money is a big consideration (it's Christmas!)

thanks for your help!
 
I would get a mp10 i know its a bit pricey but you wont have to buy another pump for flow.
 
What i would do in your situation would be to remove the internal filter...

I would run only carbon on 1 of the HOBs. I'd probably remove the second hob, (or use it as extra water volume running it empty...)...

What is a 40gph sump?.


I'd prob. choose the koralia 1s. If you're on a budget, I'd keep your existing p/h and add 1 more koralia, see how things go, and if it's still not ideal, (which I don't see what you'd have any issues) then I'd go ahead and purchase another.
 
It's not even a possibility. I would love one but it is out of the question. I am thinking 40 bucks or so for a spending limit.
 
Just to clarify, the MP10 isn't a possibility...

In regards to 40 gph sump, I built a little five gallon sump, with a 150 gph pump. at 4 ft, if my calculations are correct, it is turning the water over at 40 gph...

Maybe the best thing to do is get rid of one HOB, get a Koralia 1, and buy a slightly more powerful pump for the sump (300 gph or so...)
 
Well.. I think you pointed out the potential problems already.. your bubble coral.. kind of a tough situation. You want no dead spots but also don't want too much flow because it will harm the bubble coral. In a small tank as you have or will find out, it is hard to get the flow right without having 5 small powerheads all over filling up the tank in order to remove dead spots yet still have lower flow.

I think the K1s would be the best idea in your situation.. I think you may possibly need 3 of them though in the end, but just add 1 at a time as $ allows until your happy with the flow.
 
would it make sense to build a similar floating reef like yours? Have an internal pump pushing water out through the pvc all over the sand, and then two K1's?
 
That is completely up to you.. most people really can't stand the PVC frame in the tank, and even I admit it took a few months to get used to. I think it is helpfull but it is definately up to each person to decide if the pros outweigh the cons of a closed loop floating reef.
 
aside of visible pvc (that will eventually turn purples, right?), what are the other cons?
 
OK, I just bought a 258 gph pump for my sump (to replace a 140 gph)... The flow is noticeably better... though still not great

I am also getting a Koralia 1 to replace the internal filter. Hopefully with the K1 I can also get rid of my AC 20 HOB, and be running less electricity on this one tank!
 
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