SPS GPH Flowrate advice

I currently am getting ready to add some SPS to my tank and was wondering about my flowrate if i should upgrade or stay where i am.

my tank is a 2x2 45 gal cube with 1500 gph between 2 750 gph powerheads should i go higher or stay? BTW i do have some LPS/Softies atm as well so i dont want to blast them too bad

 

40+ times flow of net volume in the tank is strong for a mixed reef. Don't forget any return flow from filters. As long as nonre of the corals are stressed you are good to go.

 

Ddubya

do you have both current wavemakers , aimed towards each other
or do you have them both in the back corners aiming towards the front and centre

you have 30 x volume per hour flow rate , which IMO is a bit on the lowside for many sps corals
but as the flow wont be uniform throughout the tank, you may find that in areas of high turbulance, where the water from the current 2 power heads meets , would be an ideal testing location for a couple of SPS frags and see how they fare

Steve

 

well i currently have the 2 facing each other. I was thinking of replacing 1 of the 750's with a 1400 which would give me 2150 + 300 gph from my filter, I just didnt know what it would do to my other corals

 

I had 2 1050s and 2 750s on my 75 plus a Nano and 270 from my return. Polyps were not out as much and some SPS were getting balsted despite no direct flow. I removed the 750s and made sure the 1050s were aimed parallel to each other and everything is much happier. I suggest doing the same with your 750s.

 

Ddubya

IME , The more intricate the structure of the SPS the more water movement you require otherwise debris can collect in the branches and that causes other issues

so I would try a couple of the less complicated branching SPS with your flow as it is and then upgrade if you need to

I would not increase the power of any 1 device , rather than discard one and replace with another at twice the power, just get another like you have and this gives you more options in terms of direction and amount of flow in any given location
2 heads are better than 1 and 3 heads are better than 2 IME

Steve

 

I agree with Steve's statement. Many times more with less flow is better to eliminate dead spots in the flow. I would use mine over the rocks if you have enough room with out blasting corals and then add a Nano or Nano 425 to eliminate a pesky dead spot.

 

ok ill stick w/theese 2 for now and get a easier sps to test with