How Important is water flow in FOWLR?

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Soggy Pockets

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Oct 7, 2008
14
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Sugar Grove, ILlinois
Hi all,

While I have many yrs with reef tanks, this is my first step into a FOWLR. The tank is up and running for 2 months, started with live rock and live sand.

Tank is 240 gal (8'x3'x16"), there is a 125 gal. sump/fuge in the stand, with a skimmer that is rated at 500gal.

There are 6 loc line returns going into the tank from 2 return lines-the flow coming from the return lines is "ok", but not really moving alot of water in my opinion.

I have been testing the water param's and are well within acceptable ranges-have even had several LFS test the water with similar readings as what I have got.

Anyway, I have lost several fish over the past month, while having 2 ray pups live through everything....which if water was bad thought they would have been the first to go.

The question-FINALLY-is how important is strong water flow in a fish only, and do most people run additonal pumps/powerheads in their tanks to increase flow?

I look forward to your input.
 
Hm well on my tank i have a 12x turn over rate from my filtration. I only add additonal power heads for dead spots. Not that i need to because my triggers clean up everything and my filtration is enough. You want a good turnover rate for filtration and the powerheads are only for dead spots to remove particles from corners so they make it to the filter. I dont really have a problem with this, i think its also personal preference and how much flow your fish can handle.

http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=317355

heres my FOWLR


Though there is another side.... If you have a lot of live rock you can match the ratio pound/gallon and use live rock only to filter your tank. With proper flow over your live rock and through it , it can filter your whole tank in combination with a good substrate. It all depends on how you set up your tank. If you wanted to filter with live rock only flow is extra improtant. If its only for the look then so be it.

What are you water params?

They should be

amonia 0
nitrite 0
nitrate 10 to 40 ppm ... though i think you have issues if its over 30


You may want to test your tap water... i have seen some sting rays live through some terrible things. What other fish did you have?
 
Thanks The Canuck.

The water is coming from a 4 stage RO/DI unit.

I will double check water param results again. Do not believe the Amonia or Nitrites were at 0, the Nitrates were at 10ppm.

The flow suggestion came as a way to get more oxygen (I believe) in the water. While the returns are moving some water, there is not strong water movement.

I will recheck water as suggested and report back with results.

Thanks again for your input.
 
Soggy Pockets;4027403; said:
Thanks The Canuck.

The water is coming from a 4 stage RO/DI unit.

I will double check water param results again. Do not believe the Amonia or Nitrites were at 0, the Nitrates were at 10ppm.

The flow suggestion came as a way to get more oxygen (I believe) in the water. While the returns are moving some water, there is not strong water movement.

I will recheck water as suggested and report back with results.

Thanks again for your input.
Click to expand...


Skimmers oxygenate the water so as long as your skimmer is functioning on the tank i see no problems with oxygen in the tank. I would bump the flow though for live rock filtering purposes.
 
I think what The Canuck is running is plenty for a FOWLR. you really just want enough water movement to help keep feceis and food from settling so it can be filtered out. Your water looks good. Id say your good for adding a fish. You want to start out by having an idea on what you want to stock this tank with, and then add the least aggressive fist, saving the most aggressive for last. Its not a guarantee that this order will work but it can cause territory disputes if not done properly.
 
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