135g...are two koralia 4's enough flow?

[ptomoson]

I now have accumulated around 30 sps frags, my parameters are in check, my lighting questions were answered and I do have enough lighting, now I am wondering if the two K4's (one on one end and one on the other) will be ok in my 72" long tank to effectvely grow sps? I do plan on putting one small powerhead behind the rockwork.

Note that I am not getting much PE out of most of the frags.

[Rysam]

In my 135 i have a a K4,K2, 2 seio 820's and the mag 9 return. IMO its still not enough.

[wuster77]

Depends on the rockwork and how the pumps are oriented, but IMO you need more. You might be able to get by now since its all frags now, but as your frags grow, they will block a lot of water flow.

[STREAMLINEGFX]

I would also agree you need more. I am running 3 K4's (2 on a controller) and 2 Mag 9.5's for return, one of which is on a 3/4" sea swirl.

[stevensun]

Not enough IME. But 2 MJ 1200 modified with white impellers might be a good alternative you can look into.

[stylolvr]

I have a K3 and a K4 in a 55. With all of your SPS, I would say go more!!!

[nauticac4]

Way more. I have a MJ with white impeller on a DIY swirler, a vortech and a k4 in my 120 and im thinking about another vortech.

[swhaley40]

I agree, need way more.

[lubyone1]

I wouldn't say you need way more but maybe an additional koralia. I have two 4's and one 3 on my 125 and it's pretty good with the exception of one spot.

[ptomoson]

I thought so. Looks like I'm buying more powerheads! Thanks for the input folks. BTW: what is this..."MJ with white impeller on a DIY swirler"?

[deklin]

Another thing to think about is that most magnetic powerheads aren't very reliable. I've had to replace 2 out of 3 of my koralias in the last 2 years. Don't plan your setup so your tank is at the bare minimum of flow to keep SPS alive and happy or you could be in trouble when a powerhead fails and you have to go a week without it while waiting for it to be repaired or replaced.

Another option is to keep a spare Koralia on hand that you can use for mixing saltwater or replace any of your in-tank powerheads if needed.

[Logzor]

I would look for a pair of used tunze 6100's. Koralias are alright but the flow is so spread out. The two tunze streams crash into each other and generate some really nice flow throughout the tank. They will run aroun 400 with everything but it is well worth it. Koralias will eventually crap out on you.

In my 90g I run (2) tunze 6100, (2) koralia 3, and my return. The tunze are not on full blast....more like half!

[Aj Flip]

2K4 wont even be enough for a 4ft tank

[snapperface]

u can mod your 2 k4 with the sure flow kit. use the white propeller and u should almost double your flow!

[stanlalee]

not nearly enough for an sps 135g. I have a 1400gph sure flow maxi-jet in my mixed 30g so I'm sure a 135g needs more than double that. perhaps four K4's would be more like it.

[Amphiprion]

Agreed. I've got a modded 6100 stream and 2 modded nanostreams in my 40g alone. I estimated the 6100 @ ~5000gph and the two nanostreams just @ 1500 gph each.

[jbird69]

this isnt really apples to apples cause my tank is a mere 50g. I had a k3 and a k2. I recently replaced the 2 with another 3. And I must say, A couple of my nicest birdsnest colonies are not happy about it. Im considering puting the k2 back in.

[Logzor]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14891733#post14891733 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Amphiprion
Agreed. I've got a modded 6100 stream and 2 modded nanostreams in my 40g alone. I estimated the 6100 @ ~5000gph and the two nanostreams just @ 1500 gph each.

Wow. Does your tank splash you? Mine does when the 6100's are cracked up.

[cccapt]

I have 4 K-4's and 1 K-2 in my 6' 125.

[lubyone1]

Maybe it would help to see some placement pictures. Obviously the rock structure plays a significant role in the amount of power heads required. I'll try and post a pic later when my lights come on.

[Amphiprion]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14893191#post14893191 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Logzor
Wow. Does your tank splash you? Mine does when the 6100's are cracked up.

Nope. I used to have all of this (plus four more modded nanostreams) on my 75. The trick was cutting the nozzle off, making the flow extremely wide and quite low velocity. I'll try to get a pic of the structure and the positions of the streams. I tried to keep the structure very sparse, yet open for as much flow as possible.