I need some opinions on flow

B

BPKlein

The tank is a 72" 125 gallon tank. Currently we have 2 Koralia 4's...one on each end pointing at each other, and about 600gph from the return. That totals 3000gph. The tank is and will be all soft corals with some LPS.

The problem...(possibly) I think there is too much flow for the softies and frogspawn. They get blown around pretty good. Pointing the K4's in different directions doesn't help. Putting them low and pointing upward pushes water over the edge of the tank. Putting them high and pointing them slightly down moves all the sand. Pointing them straight across moves the corals around too much. The center of the tank away from the flow is the only place the softies seem to be happy.

The fixes I am debating...replacing the 2 K4's with 2 K3's. One on each end. OR replacing the K4's with 4 K2's across the back. OR replacing the K4's with 4 maxijet 1200's (not modified...I think that would defeat the purpose) The MJ's would have the flow rotating deflector on them.

I like the idea of the MJ's because they are smaller and less "visible". I like like that they can be run on a wavemaker/timer if I want, and that the flow rotator changes up the flow pattern. The problem is that I don't know if they move enough water. I may have too little flow then. The total flow would be about 1750gph with the MJ idea. The MJ idea is also the most expensive.

What do ya'll think? Any other ideas?

Thanks, Bryan
 
I know they are pretty large, but a couple of Seio's might be the answer. High flow volume but spread out over a larger area than other pumps.
I started with 2 Koralia 3's in my 75. When the 1st 1 crapped out, I replaced it with 1 of my old Seio 620's. Then a few months later the other K3 crapped out so now I've got both my old 620's in there. I think I like them much better in terms of flow in the tank.
 
Thanks for the reply Mike.

I went and bought 4 K2's and put them across the back wall this afternoon. If advertised 4 K2's are the same amount of flow as 2 K4's. I was hoping to get the flow spread out some. So far they seem to be working OK. It will take a little time to get them aimed where the need to be aimed. With the different enviroment my finger leather never fully opened, but that could also be from the water change I did today. My zoas all opened more than they have in weeks.

I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Bryan
 
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