flow question...

rxdoc_85

AC Members
Mar 9, 2008
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st. louis, missouri
hello. i have a 65 gal hex tank, and right now i have a koralia #2 in there (600 gph), and i really like it. i have pretty good movement in the tank, and i think this is facilitated by the fact that the tank is basically round. do you guys think i need any additional flow in the tank?
 
LOL.. ya, wrong person to have respond. While his suggestion wouldn't be overkill, it would make quite a swirl going around your hex tank. The 4 is really powerful.

It all depends what your putting in your tank. If you have a whirlpool going on some fish may not come out of the rocks like gobies. If you had a MH light and SPS corals in the tank, then a 4 would be great.

I think you could add another 2 or even a 3 without causing much issue with crazy currents, but that goes against the goals of a reef keeper, which is to try and replicate the reef as close as possible. I am sure that's what Amphiprion was hinting at.
 
Be sure to check for dead spots, which really make keeping the algae blooms tough to control. If you can increase the flow without creating a washing mechine affect, it's probobly a good idea. I'm dealing with a red algae right now. Let me assure you, if you can avoid it, you will save yourself a big headache!
 
I'd say that koralia is putting out probably ~300 GPH (don't believe the markaneering), which puts you at about a 5x turnover.
 
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