LPS in a high flow? BB tank.

[Reefyone]

Need advice:
I have BB tank with LPS, that IMO don't like high flow (big cynarina and scolymia, 3 kinds of candycane). Have a lot of detrius at the botton, and to keep it suspended and filtered/skimmed from the water column the flow should be very high (may be 50x turnover per hour), at least few times a day, in addition to the regular low flow.

How in your experience these corals will take this flow?
If it's not acceptable, how you are keeping the bottom your BB tanks clean, especially under the rock?

Airline tubing can't reach everywhere, and syphon twice a week seems to be a lot of work, leave alone that better to keep hands out of the tank.
Thanks.

[dobejazz]

I have a candy cane in front of my Tunze I have to say it never looks happy there so I don't think they like high flow. I really have no clue though

[Twitterbait]

When it comes to LPS and flow it is really going to come down to trial and error. try to place them in a lower flow area in the mid section of the tank. keep in mind with BB you will need to keep your light photoperiod down so you don't burn them.

stick them in and see what happens. most shouldn't mind moderate to higher flow, give them a few days and if they don't like it then move them.

[Reefyone]

It planned to be 20g long tank, and the plumbing of closed loop should be fihished before moving corals there. Diameter of tubing and outflows depends on the pump used. Weaker pump - less, more powerful - more.

The logic of keeping BB tank clean, detritus - suspended and filtered/skimmed out, required more than 20x turnover, IME. I have a strong doubt, that inflated corals can take it well.

What to do?

I can always leave these corals, where they are now - in shallow 6" high translucent container, easily accessible for a feeding and cleaning, also good light penetration - less water depth. Looks odd, but convenient.

Just tried to put all LPS and soft corals, except non-photosynthetic, in one tank, to have a good look, test one time, maintain water quality in one tank. Could be troublesome in other way, as I see it now.

Thanks.

[Twitterbait]

if they don't seem to like it you can always feed them more too. just because it is BB does not mean you shouldn't feed.

[wharyat]

I've got a hammer in my 20g SPS dominated BB with a lot of water flow. I had to surround the coral with LR and make a moderate flow pocket for it.

It can be done, but they need to be placed accordingly.

[Reefyone]

The problem is not in BB alone, but in incompatibility of the main principles of the keeping inflated LPS and BB: low flow and a high flow. I didn't see this until tried to inclease flow.

And corals I have are big for a nano - even in 20g long tank, 12" wide, not easy to hide 7"+ scolymia, 5-6" cynarina and 4" drab brain. The semi-spheres of candycanes are exposed too.

My fault, the big brains were bought for a 90g, but there are puffer and filefish.
Now just trying to arrange things the best way.

You know, the last days I spent a lot of time trying to find LPS forums with a lot of people, who discuss not only requirements of the particular coral, but systems for their keeping too - as I faced this problem now - and couldn't find.

[wharyat]

I currently have around 120x turnover in my tank, I have the (8") hammer, a 7" maxima clam, and 2 6" crocea clams; All of which don't like very tough flow (especially the clams).

It just takes constantly adjusting the outputs of your water flow devices, until you find exactly the right positioning to please all your inhabs. It also helps to have current switching devices (either mechanical or electrical) to where the more sensitive inhabs get a small burst of water every once in a while, but nothing to damage or perpetually annoy them.

You may see some negative effects in the beginning (deflated, partially gaping clams), but if the flow is not too strong; they will usually adjust and look mor normal within a week.

[Reefyone]

Saw your gallery, Vince - excellent work!

I'm on different level: my tanks are much simpler, undrilled, powerheads for water movement, only recently added side-by-side sump that required T flow diffusor (10g prototype with corals, 20g L is empty on the floor ).

What I thought to do - 2 low flow returm pumps (Mini-Jet 606, 150gph, no head loss), with spray bar at the top, working all the time, and the another, high-flow closed loop, working 3 timed daily for 15 min to remove accumulated debris (Ocean Runner 2500, 625 gph). Just like described here, for 45g barrel-shaped tank.

What appeared to be bad with this closed loop system - it's rigid, can't be re-done with the same details, if location or quantity of outputs were wrong. Again, nobody says that before you leap, just like with LPS and BB. Powerheads are much more flexible, but they don't filter to the sump.

May be put a couple of closed loops branches, going to the bottom in the corners (to imitate your drilled bottom jets)? Will be visible, tank is transparent and stands before window. I'm stuck next time - too much things, influencing each other.

My apologies for posting these details here, not at equipment forum - LPS have different requirements from SPS.

BTW, can't add smileys from the list to the post - clicking on them adds only frame without image. Only typed in work. What I missed?

[Twitterbait]

I do like the system details you posted. the LPS forums is about all aspects of LPS keeping including the system requirements. honestly if you look at the keepers of mixed BB systems it comes down to the placement of the coral. if you can find the lower flow area in between rocks it will help in a bb system. most LPS can acclimate to a higher flow area over time.

[Reefyone]

It worked for a branching frogspawn and hammer - they are small and less inflated.
But hide between rocks 5.5"-7" cynarina or scolymia in 12" wide tank...
And the flow should be directed to lift detritus from the bottom.

Any other thoughts (other, that another big tank)?

[Mizer67]

Nope, no other ideas. Another big tank it is! Wish all problems were this easy to solve.

[Twitterbait]

sell the coral that isn't behaving

you may need to rework your LR to create a shelf mid range up the tank where it can sit.

[Fish'InMN]

I just upgraded to a BB 40g breeder from my SSB 15g-High and have the same problem. The upgraded flow includes a Quiet One 4000 return running at full blast through two 1/2" outputs, an internal Mag3 "closed loop", and 2 AquaClear powerheads (Small but useful!!). It isn't nearly enough flow to keep detritus in suspension, and it will certainly blast my softies/LPS if they're in a bad spot.

I did what others have already done: create a "pocket" of low flow to keep softies/LPS happy. In my tank I created two islands, one directly under my MH for the (future) SPS and one at the fringe for the LPS. One return and the CLS sweep around the front and back of the islands, the other return blasts the top of the SPS island, and the AC's are aimed at the bases of each island. This blows most detritus into the water column, though some does land in some dead spots.

Though, I only have about 25lbs of LR in my tank at the moment, as the other 40lbs+ are sitting in two 5g buckets covered in HA and bryopsis, so the islands are not massive by any means.

I tend to type a lot,
Marty

[Reefyone]

Just curious - what percentage of the total flow goes into filtration? (My another problem)