Powerhead

[wflash3]

I believe i have a rio powerhead that is 90 gph in my 30 high gallon tank. Its suction cuped on the right center side glass facing the left. So basically its a flow going from the right to the left. Is this enough? I have corals like toadstool, xenia, zoo's, i think its called dead mans hand, ricordia, gorgonian and some star polyps. Do any of these need alot of current? can you guys like rank them in order to which coral needs the most to least?

this is all to really know if i need to add a new powerhead and where exactly to place my coral.
thanks

flash

 

[Ter]

well im not sure about the corals... but you want about 600gph in that tank... so ur a little shy
Ter

 

[N1z]

TBF, corals do like flow but not too much, i just recomend the pumps hittin rocks or glass to give na multi direction, ive just decreased my pumps to now only 20x from 40x and well its made the corals spread out more in relaxing as it were.

 

[andywg]

It all depends on the corals. Those that naturally reside in more secluded spots tend to prefer lower flows, whereas SPS corals growing in surge areas will want a lot of flow, but also the type of flow is important.

Simple impellor powerheads send out a needle like jet of water that is very fast in the centre, but almost non-existent any distance from the centre.

Modern propellor style powerheads create a far wider flow that is more gentle on the coral directly in front of it, but moves a lot of water around.

Ideally, you want a bulk water movement device. Until recently the only choice was the Tunze wavebox which blows all the water in the box out before turning off and allowing it all to flow back in. Tune the timing of the flows to the length of the tank and you get a very good wave effect. Recently an American company has released something very similar which while not being quite as good as the Tunze, doesn't carry anything like the £300 price tag either.