Recommended Powerhead Flow Rate?

[Mamejunkie]

I'm looking into picking up some powerheads for a 180g reef tank and was wondering what the guidelines are to the flow rate.

The Tunze's are too expensive but suppose to be way better and smaller.
So thinking of Hydor Koralia K-3 (850gph) or K-4 (1200gph).

Going to start off by getting two and have in across from each other.

 

[scav1180]

I have 1 K4 1 K3 in the middle and 1 maxijet with mod on the right side with 2 returns.

get all k4's.

 

[scav1180]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1417836

 

[Mamejunkie]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1417836

Thanks for the 411.

 

[Emdy]

+1 on all 4 K4.

 

[Mamejunkie]

+1 on all 4 K4.

Four? Would that be too much?

 

[pookstreet]

Four? Would that be too much?

Not really, but it all depends on what you want or planning to keep down the road. Different types of corals require different amount and types of flow. So the first question you'll need to answer is the coral stocking plan, then you can move on from there.

 

[Mamejunkie]

Have nothing in the tank atm but planning on softies & zoos.

 

[pookstreet]

The 4 K4's will do well for a softie and zoa dominated tank. All corals will do well with some form of water movement since they are filter feeders and need the currents to bring the nutrients to them.

 

[Mamejunkie]

I knew water movement is important but isn't there such a thing as too much?
Wouldn't want it to be like an hurricane.

 

[pookstreet]

Yes it can be too much sometimes. But you'll wonder where all that "reported" flow went once they are in. Next thing you know, you'll want more powerheads

 

[scav1180]

one of my fish cant even make it to the other side.. LOL

 

[Mamejunkie]

I was able to put in two K-4's (thanks to scav1180's 411). The flow in the tank is much better. Most of the rock's layer of dust is blown away. Only thing now is that the water is very dusty, with all the water movement I don't think it will have a chance to settle. Hoping it clears up after if it can make it into the overflow and the filters get rid of them. Any tricks I should know about?

 

[pookstreet]

It just takes time. The majority of the suspended particulate will either be filtered, skimmed, or settle to the bottom.

 

[Mamejunkie]

Thats what I figured.

Funny thing is that now the tank has more currents, the dinky damsel doesn't hang out in the back anymore. It hides in the rocks.

 

[scav1180]

yeah, like mr.pook said above..

Everything will settle with time. a day or two.

good to hear you grabbed the k4's. so just 2 k4's in the tank right now?

 

[Mamejunkie]

Yea, just 2 for now. Glad I got the K-4's instead of K-3's...more GPH. I have them in the side back upper corner facing downwards diagonally towards the opposite wall.

Only thing is wife is complaining that it's big and ugly.

 

[Wannareef]

I have 2 K4's and 2 K3's in my 135, 1 0f each on each side of the tank facing inward, the K4's are facing towards the front one facing lower and the other is facing higher, same for the K3's except they hit more towards the back wall, there's current in the tank, but I don't think it's to much.

 

[Mamejunkie]

Someone is selling the 2 Tunze 6025. Might consider picking them up for the front. Seems smaller than the Hydor.

 

[Ga Men]

Hey Steve tell your wife that $10 for 2 she may happy with them.