View Full Version: More Current = Better Polyp Extension?

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Title: More Current = Better Polyp Extension?


TulsaReefer - January 19, 2008 04:05 AM (GMT)
I've just about doubled the current in my tank, and it's really showing some nice results. The polyp extension that has been absent, or very little in many of my SPS is actually improving. After going from about 2000 GPH current in my 110, to a little over 4000 GPH, and getting it to be much more turbulent, it's doing some nice things. My green slimer has polyps waving in the current, still not fully extended, but definitely there. And the milli frags are actually doing much better too, though one of them is still getting used to the light level and seems to be a bit slow to extend for now. My staghorn is really liking it, as are both bird nest frags. Overall, a big difference.

One thing I did to make the current a bit more turbulent is I paired my Koralia 4's with the maxi-jet 1200s that have the Hydor Flo rotating water outlets. By putting them parallel this makes the current from the Koralias to be pushed a bit every rotation of the maxi-jet. What I'm seeing is that even though the Koralia puts out much more flow, it's slower and more gentle, so the more powerful focused flow from the maxi-jet can deflect the larger Koralia flow quite a bit. This causes a more random chaotic flow as the main flow keeps getting deflected around a bit, and since I have one set on each side of the tank, the currents seem to swirl around pretty well this way. And then I also have a SCWD on my return pump, so those also switch every 7 to 8 seconds, pushing the water from one side of the tank to the other.

How much flow does everyone else have? Any tips as to which SPS really like more current and which don't?

jokeloma - January 19, 2008 04:41 AM (GMT)
Sounds great Lee, I would love to increase my flow but I have trouble kicking up my sand bed. My SPS suffer from what I think is lack of flow control.




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