http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ Copyright (c) 2006-2013 Web Wiz Forums - All Rights Reserved. Thu, 18 Jun 2026 09:32:49 +0000 Wed, 04 Sep 2013 16:10:23 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.03 360 www.utahreefs.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=66167 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/1by1.gif http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/ http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=66167&PID=535598&title=new-guy-first-reef-tank#535598 Author: JohnnyHeavens
Subject: 66167
Posted: September 04 2013 at 4:10pm

I'm a bit delayed but welcome to the site and the hobby!]]> Wed, 04 Sep 2013 16:10:23 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=66167&PID=535598&title=new-guy-first-reef-tank#535598 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=66167&PID=535140&title=new-guy-first-reef-tank#535140 Author: Mark Peterson
Subject: 66167
Posted: August 31 2013 at 8:09am

Blake wrote: Thanks Krazie4Acans. That was helpful information. I'll still have to dig a little more on what is a good flow rate. But I was not aware of the controllers. Can you use a regular timer to do the same type of thing? What is different with the controllers?

There are so many voices it's hard to know which ones to listen to, right?

A good flow rate is as different as each individual coral. A new hobbyist can make all of this more complicated than it needs to be. I suggest just starting simple with what you can afford and then upgrade later on.

Funny though, after many years, I still find myself taking advantage of the MaxiJet powerheads. For $20(online order) I can get as much flow as a $50 Koralia. Just yesterday, I was telling a LFS owner how I place the stream MJ1200 on the sand. He could not believe that it would work. People come to my place and always say to me, "I didn't know you could do it like that!". I believe the reason for that kind of disbelief is that there are so many different products out there and yet with just a little thought and originality, the inexpensive stuff can work awesome and create a beautiful reef environment.

An expert professional in the field of water movement and coral flow needs, Dana Riddle, has said that back and forth wave action is not as critical as we may think. In the pic that I posted earlier I pointed out the visible wave action due to the powerhead being placed down near/on the sand shooting up. Just one single traditional, inexpensive, reliable Maxijet 1200 will create plenty of ideal flow if used in this way.

Oh, and here is the amazingly simple but effective "poorman's wavemaker": http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=21646

Please feel free to call and come visit and see how this can all be done on a reasonable budget.

Mahalo,
Mark
808-345-1049 near I-15 in Murray
]]> Sat, 31 Aug 2013 08:09:54 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=66167&PID=535140&title=new-guy-first-reef-tank#535140 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=66167&PID=535022&title=new-guy-first-reef-tank#535022 Author: Krazie4Acans
Subject: 66167
Posted: August 29 2013 at 2:41pm

Timers can simulate a controller but take up a ton of space. My wave maker can control 4 devices and is about the size of two timers. It only takes up one spot on my power strip. As I said if I turn on all 3 of my powerheads at once it will blow water over the edge of the tank. So the controller guarantees me that there will never be more than two on at a time. Plus I have three of them and it randomizes which tow are on which changes up the flow really well. Using timers would kind of do the same thing but I could never guarantee that the third one wouldn't come on and most timers let you set times in 15 minute intervals. I've never seen an ocean wave last 15 minutes. The ones the let you set them shorter limit how many times they will turn on and off per day. So the short answer is timers have to be messed with all of the time and didn't give me the peace of mind I needed. The Controller was a set it and forget it device and has worked flawlessly for 3 years.

I also like the feed feature that shuts all the powerheads off for 5 minutes and then automatically resumes the random mode.
]]> Thu, 29 Aug 2013 14:41:29 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=66167&PID=535022&title=new-guy-first-reef-tank#535022 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=66167&PID=535020&title=new-guy-first-reef-tank#535020 Author: Blake
Subject: 66167
Posted: August 29 2013 at 1:58pm

Thanks Krazie4Acans. That was helpful information. I'll still have to dig a little more on what is a good flow rate. But I was not aware of the controllers. Can you use a regular timer to do the same type of thing? What is different with the controllers?]]> Thu, 29 Aug 2013 13:58:46 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=66167&PID=535020&title=new-guy-first-reef-tank#535020 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=66167&PID=535018&title=new-guy-first-reef-tank#535018 Author: Krazie4Acans
Subject: 66167
Posted: August 29 2013 at 1:52pm

Putting Koralias on a wave maker is not recommended by the manufacturer and they do make noise when they start up. So you need to be willing to replace them periodically (about every 3 years) and be able to deal with the short rattle at startup each time the powerhead turns on.

I use an Oceans Motions 4 controller for mine. they don't control speed, just how long each powerhead is on and how many are on at one time. Hope that helps.
]]> Thu, 29 Aug 2013 13:52:23 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=66167&PID=535018&title=new-guy-first-reef-tank#535018 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=66167&PID=535016&title=new-guy-first-reef-tank#535016 Author: Blake
Subject: 66167
Posted: August 29 2013 at 1:44pm

Thanks for the clarification. Yes, I'm looking at powerheads. This has probably been the hardest thing for me to learn about. ha. I've had a few people at stores recommended 2 powerheads (one pointed to the surface the other pointed more to the middle bottom) at about 750gph. What was recommended exactly was 2 powerheads one 600 and one 850. I've also read of some others that haev 30 gallons and use about that much in their powerhead setup. But then I've also read, like you have said, that it is way to much. But, your information is very helpful. I wasn't aware that you could hook up these Korlia evolutions to a "wave maker".  Where can I find one of those? do they control speed in case it is too much? Thanks... ]]> Thu, 29 Aug 2013 13:44:51 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=66167&PID=535016&title=new-guy-first-reef-tank#535016 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=66167&PID=535014&title=new-guy-first-reef-tank#535014 Author: Krazie4Acans
Subject: 66167
Posted: August 29 2013 at 1:33pm

Blake I think part of the confusion is your use of pump where you should be using powerhead. Technically powerheads are pumps but they only move water inside the tank and not having to "pump" water, under pressure, over the side of the tank or back to the tank from a sump.

Will you be running the Koralias on a wave maker, or just full on all the time? If both full on all the time then that is way too much flow. I have a 28G and I run 3 koralia nano's in it but they are on a wavemaker and only two of them are ever on at one time. when all 3 of them are on water is blown over the edge of the tank. I believe the nano's move about 260gph so total I am about 750gph in my 28. Much more than that and you are going to have sand blowing everywhere.

I am growing everything in my tank. Zoa's/Paly's, softies, LPS, and SPS.


Edited by Krazie4Acans - August 29 2013 at 1:35pm]]> Thu, 29 Aug 2013 13:33:58 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=66167&PID=535014&title=new-guy-first-reef-tank#535014 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=66167&PID=535010&title=new-guy-first-reef-tank#535010 Author: Blake
Subject: 66167
Posted: August 29 2013 at 1:25pm

I posted this on another thread, but I seemed to get more of response here, so I thought Id double check. I think I'm going to get 2 Korlia 750's for my tank. So a total of 1500 gph plus my 265gph canister filter. Would this be to much flow? My understanding is it would be a good flow to allow me to get most all croals. Thanks for the input

]]> Thu, 29 Aug 2013 13:25:43 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=66167&PID=535010&title=new-guy-first-reef-tank#535010 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=66167&PID=534808&title=new-guy-first-reef-tank#534808 Author: AcroNem
Subject: 66167
Posted: August 27 2013 at 5:16pm

Haha like I said you'll get plenty of information if you ask on this forum! Also Blake, I'm just in Orem and have many a time been asked to come check out (and even set up) new tanks I'm at your disposal with anything you need help with :)

regarding your question about snails and hermit crabs; you don't need them specifically for live rock, you need them to keep it clean and to eat anything that you don't want just sitting and rotting at the bottom of your tank. they are excellent and essential scavengers. IF you're wanting any used equipment I'd be happy to just give it to you, I maintain a tank in my parents house aside from my other ones and will be replacing the filter soon if you'd like it? also have a few other random things. ]]> Tue, 27 Aug 2013 17:16:04 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=66167&PID=534808&title=new-guy-first-reef-tank#534808 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=66167&PID=534799&title=new-guy-first-reef-tank#534799 Author: Blake
Subject: 66167
Posted: August 27 2013 at 2:25pm

ha, awkward. Thanks]]> Tue, 27 Aug 2013 14:25:00 +0000 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=66167&PID=534799&title=new-guy-first-reef-tank#534799