Water flow... do I need more?

[ndimuzio]

Hello all! I have a 73 gallon reef, I just recently put 3 different types of coral in the tank and I want to know if I have enough water current throughout the tank.. I have a Sea Swirl 3/4 Inch Wave Maker being fed by a Mag9.5 powerhead which resides in the sump.. should I have more then that?

 

[Mikef1]

I would add one or 2 more power heads. If you do powerheads get 2 maxijet 1200s. If you dont like powerheads in the tank you could rig a closed loop system with an iwaki pump.

 

[ndimuzio]

How does that work?

 

[ndimuzio]

Get another wave maker and power it with a pump?? I dont think my sump gets enough water to send that much up at once.. the sump runs low all the time.. wouldnt another pump drawing water out of it cause problems???

 

[Anonymous]

Although I'm sure you can do with one more pump at least, this really all depends on what types of coral you are keeping. There is no global answer, and no way for someone to give you anything resembling good info without more knowleadge of your system.
Not even all the SPS corals need high current, and many corals need low current.
I have acros that need high current, and a few montis that don't. Euphylia don't do well with high current, neither do bubble corals, etc.

Cheers
Jim

 

[ndimuzio]

Pocillopora
Acropora, Colored
Hairy Leather
Chili Coral
Sebae Anemone Heteractis malu

 

[ndimuzio]

With those types of coral do I need more flow then a MAG 9.5 to a sea swirl?

If so.. I am a bit confused on how I could get more water into my sump to use an additional pump... the pump I have now (Mag 9.5) almost runs my sump dry.. if the water level in the tank is not perfect it sprays air into the tank... if I can add another pump and get more water flowing I will do it if my coral need it... what should/can I do?

 

[Bobzarry]

Put the Sea Swirls(s) on a closed loop. IE: you will have an external pump, the imput and the output both go to the main tank. This way you wont have to worry about the sump at all.



Bob

 

[ndimuzio]

Then what will the sump be used for... my skimmer and heaters are all in my sump...

 

[ndimuzio]

So are you saying I should add another pump to return from the sump??

 

[Anonymous]

Your sump will still be operational.
Either just drop another power head in your tank - the easiest solution. Or run a closed loop as stated. The water just runs in a loop through the pump, with the intake and exaust in the tank obviously. The sump does not come into play.

Jim

 

[ndimuzio]

Does it matter if I get the Japanese motor or American?
If I do this, I was thinking.. I would get the MD40RLT with another Seaswirl wave maker...