Too much water movement?

[MrsPeel]

I got my liverock today. Right now I have 2 powerheads in there one is a peguin 550 (145gph) and the other is a aquaclear 101 (80 gph) at opposing ends of my 29g tank. Is this too little? Or should I get a another peguin in there? And if so would a peguin 660 (170 gph) be too much? ANd finally is there an equation I should be using to decide what is enough movement? I plan to have FOWLR, but then when I feel comfortable, move to soft corals.

 

[reefrunner69]

I believe in somewhere between 10-20 tank volumes per hour of flow, but diffused so it isn't tearing the hide of your inverts. That typically means mid sized pumps on a wavemaker or more smaller pumps.

I think right now your borderline for water movement, wouldn't hurt to add another powerhead, but it might not be necessary. If it were me I would and I would add the larger powerhead and use it for blowing behind the rocks.

 

[got bait?]

OK Kevin call me Dumb!

So, 1-2 tank volume. Does this mean for example you could have 4 PH moving 250GPH or 2 moving 500GPH or 1 moving 1000GPh (just example) for a 100gal tank.

 

[reefrunner69]

Yes.

 

[loganj]

I should point out though, that the 4 PH's moving 250 gph each would be much better than one doing 1000 gph. What you're looking for is turbulence instead of laminar flow. 4 powerheads aimed so their flow crashes together will simulate wave action much better than one blowing across the tank.

 

[kidkameleon3]

wow, I thought I was lagging I didn;t relize power heads counted I am the winner now.Ha HA I win .I am the winner.

No really didn't relize I feel much more better now