GPH flow rate for FOWLR 10g

[ringfinger]

For some reason I am having trouble finding some information on this. Currently I have an AquaClear 20 filled with LR rubble and a Rio 180 giving me about 220 GPH flow. Is this too much? What would be ideal? I just added my first fish(tiny clown) after a couple months with just hermit crabs, and the little guy seems to be getting blown around quite a bit.

I'm a rookie with saltwater tanks, so any advice with my filtration etc. would be nice. Thanks.

 

[Brenden]

FO need around 10 times capacity in flow. Any rock etc in tank to break up flow direction?

 

[ringfinger]

So I'm at about twice as much flow as I should be. I do have about 12 lbs of rock in the tank, but it doesn't pile up too high to break up the flow of water. Maybe I will just take out the Rio 180 for now.

 

[Jermz79]

Sounds about good to me. I have a 12ga. Nano with a Rio 600 pushing the return and a Mini-Jet 606 in tank for extra current. Just try diverting the flow by bouncing it off the glass or aiming the PH up at the surface!! I defnitely would not remove the PH, the extra flow is KING!!!!!

 

[tecwzrd]

I agree with Jermz79 removing the ph would be a mistake. Your AquaClear 20 is more of a waterfall effect and doesn’t create the stronger movement of a ph. Having more flow within reason can only help with bio-filtration within the lr. As long as you don’t have fish constantly fighting a strong current it shouldn’t be an issue.

 

[Brenden]

I agree. 10 times the capacity is a minimum. (sorry I did not make myself clear) My tank has 20 times capacity in flow.

 

[BillyZ]

It's also good to point out that you should have more than a single source of water flow. Try and get that 10x from two or more powerheads and try to create a more alternating or turbulant flow rather than a single direct current.

This helps minimize dead spots of current where detritus can build up. A lot of folks also feel it helps stimulate corals with a more natural water current and helps growth.