Circulation requirement questions!!

Hello Reefers!

I have a 55gal tank of mostly softies/LPS and got two Koralia 3's. I've had these in for a couple months now and the softies are getting bigger so they look "violently" swaying the in water now.

I like the way they look with both of the Koralias off, free flowing. Do I need that much circulation? I have my return pump, a Rio1200 and two HOB protein skimmers. Shouldn't that be enough?

Also, does anyone have a reason why i Should not cut that plastic bar that runs across the middle top of my tank out? I feel like that may improve circulation by helping the overflow box to siphon better. Thanks!

 

why would cutting the center brace out improve circulation at all??
and no i would not cut that out because it is reinforcing the tank. if you cut it out your glass may bow and you could have a mess on your hands. i would maybe position the powerheads diffrently or maybe run one instead of both. but 2 k3s shouldnt be to much for a 55

 

def do not cut the center brace, like DB said it will cause the tank to bow and most likely burst down the line.

I have 2 Koralia Evolution pumps (750gph) in my 55g and have mainly softies in my tank and I've been ok with that combo. You just need to reposition them so the flow is less violent around your softies.

 

Did you ever see the coral in the ocean on one of those nature shows? The stuff looks like it is going to get ripped up! Now, you don't need that much but more flow helps with toxins. try re-directing the flow. With your pumps I would put one on the right side toward the back aimed to the front center and slightly up. The other I would put on the left side and aim at the back wall.

 

Totally agree with all of the responses above. IMO, the return and skimmer are not enough flow. Just reposition the phs so that they are facing the surface, that should help.

 

Good point jed and dboshibby, I just repositioned them its good now, thanks!

 

agree, and aim them to bounce off the glass walls. also you can move some of the corals around to deadspots if they are swaying to much. once you find a sweet spot for corals and powerheads try not to move anything.

 

Our (my) pleasure.