120 gallon tank owners (or anyone) - Flow question

[cmtbears34]

Hey there,

As I mentioned, I am about to set up my 120 gallon tank (4'x2'x2') and I was looking for opinions on the flow in the tank from fellow 120 gallon tank owners (or anyone).

I currently have 2 Koralia Controllable 8's (1100 gph to 3500 gph each) and dual return flow from an Eheim 1262 pump in the sump. The 8's would be put on the sides facing each other and run on a wave maker (probably shifting from one to the other every 15 seconds or so).

Will those two plus the 8's be enough or do you think I will need another powerhead or two? If so, where would you put them?

Thanks!
-Matt

 

[jenreef]

the 2 koralia 8 should defenitly be enough flow. i would put one pump on each side of the tank. i have a 120 gallon tank and i use to have 2 koralia evolution 1400gph each. i had them one on each side of the tank. now i have a vortech mp40

 

[Takara]

sounds like you got it figured out

 

[Ronnie]

Remember every tank is different as the animals we keep. Flow will depend on types of corals and placing of the rock work (dead spots were algae will become a nuisance may need smaller pumps or adjustment of existing ones). Think of it this way were corals grow in the oceans some get slammed around well others just flow back and forth. I use 2 eco smart mp40 in my 120 turned half way in (Nutrient Transport Mode) I also think it needs to be turned down a little more. Hope this helps. I keep mostly LPS with some SPS and 1 softy. I would start with what you have placing them on the sides facing more to the front of the glass. Move them as needed or till you get the flow your looking for. If you see the pumps you have are not working for your application or corals then change them. All pumps are not the same. Sometimes replacing the pump with something different you might be happier. The sad thing that comes into play is cost.

 

[cmtbears34]

Thanks for the input jenreef...glad to hear that I should be good to go with what I have!

Ronnie you bring up some great points...there definitely are many variables in regards to flow, like rock work and what I plan on keeping. I was more hoping to figure out if it would be enough to keep things moving around without any (or many) dead spots. Very true that all pumps are not the same...I am way over budget on the setup so I probably can't experiment with too many other power heads right now or the wife would kill me haha. I do like your advice on placement of corals and figuring out where they would be happiest. Thanks again!