Flow requirements

[grouper therapy]

How did we logically determine that SPS corals need more flow than lps? I understand that they are located on reefs with crashing waves etc. but they are also in low flow areas comparatively speaking.

 

[enderg60]

next time your at my place have a close look at where the flow is in my tank. SPS in high flow are growing at 2-5x the speed of the ones is low/no flow.

 

[grouper therapy]

EnderG60;606675 wrote: next time your at my place have a close look at where the flow is in my tank. SPS in high flow are growing at 2-5x the speed of the ones is low/no flow.

No argument there I have experienced the same. I understand that the photosynthesis and respiration rates are affected by higher flow but would not lps be affected the same way as long as polyps would stay extended?

 

[stacy22]

I think a couple of things may factor here. Most SPS are found on reef crest areas, like you mentioned. These areas, of course, have a tremendous amount of flow. LPS, in comparison, are typically more lagoonal type organisms who are adapted to much lower rates of flow (and less pristine water).

LPS polyps are more prone to injury than those of sps. I will have to look up a valid source for this.

These are just generalizations. I am certain that some SPS can do well in lower flow and some LPS fare well in higher flow.

 

[enderg60]

grouper therapy;606680 wrote: No argument there I have experienced the same. I understand that the photosynthesis and respiration rates are affected by higher flow but would not lps be affected the same way as long as polyps would stay extended?

Im not exactly sure, but I think it has to do with harm causing growth. Plating monti seems to plate more in current to protect itself. As well as most SPS tend to grow faster after being fragged/broken. Similarly SPS tend to grow thicker branches when in high current.

Seems to be similar to how bones become denser and muscles grow larger with abuse.

I would guess LPS and softies do not respond the same way because the tissues can more easily be blown off. Something to do with evolution to suit your environment. More fleshy tissue for low current and high food grabbability, or less tissue and more skeliton for high flow punishment.

 

[grouper therapy]

stacy22;606690 wrote: I think a couple of things may factor here. Most SPS are found on reef crest areas, like you mentioned. These areas, of course, have a tremendous amount of flow. LPS, in comparison, are typically more lagoonal type organisms who are adapted to much lower rates of flow (and less pristine water).

LPS polyps are more prone to injury than those of sps. I will have to look up a valid source for this.

These are just generalizations. I am certain that some SPS can do well in lower flow and some LPS fare well in higher flow.

Which raises another question for me and (please forgive me I don't know the hydrodynamic terms) what is more flow? Is it faster water or more water volume?

 

[grouper therapy]

EnderG60;606692 wrote: Im not exactly sure, but I think it has to do with harm causing growth. Plating monti seems to plate more in current to protect itself. As well as most SPS tend to grow faster after being fragged/broken. Similarly SPS tend to grow thicker branches when in high current.

Seems to be similar to how bones become denser and muscles grow larger with abuse.

I would guess LPS and softies do not respond the same way because the tissues can more easily be blown off. Something to do with evolution to suit your environment. More fleshy tissue for low current and high food grabbability, or less tissue and more skeliton for high flow punishment.

Interesting.
I noticed that with my efflo tabling coral it has slowed its tabling growth and started to grow thicker once it grew closer to the outlet.

 

[grouper therapy]

My reason for asking this is I am trying to design a flow system for my AIO build and in doing so do I want to be able to target specific areas that will have sps and target others specific with lps or just one big water movement say a wave.

 

[glxtrix]

EnderG60;606692 wrote: ...... Something to do with evolution to suit your environment. More fleshy tissue for low current and high food grabbability, or less tissue and more skeliton for high flow punishment.

My thoughts exactly...as well as LPS in lower flow have longer feeding tentacles, so it can have a higher chance at grabbing slow moving food...slower water means less damage to a longer tentacle so a higher chance at getting more food. Vs the smaller polyps on SPS...designed to grab food that comes by at a faster rate. All guess really.

 

[stacy22]

I saw this article a while back. It was a good review of flow types and how to achieve each type.
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2007/1/aafeature">http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2007/1/aafeature</a>

This one has info about flow with a specific group of SPS
[IMG]http://www.breedersregistry.org/Articles/v4_i3_riddle/riddle1.htm">http://www.breedersregistry.org/Articles/v4_i3_riddle/riddle1.htm</a>

 

[acroholic]

You'll probably find that SPS are adaptable to different flow rates, as long as their minimum requirements are met, whatever those are. That is probably also reflected in their growth patterns as well. One example I had from my own tank was Bali Green Slimer, where in areas of high flow it grew thicker, shorter branches vs longer thinner branches in areas of high flow.

This makes sense to me. I would think that in low flow areas an an acropora would maximize surface area for water/tissue/food particle contact by getting branchy, vs in high flow areas where it doesn't have to work as hard for it. It may also get thicker in high flow areas to keep from breaking branches as often from rough water.

All the above just guesses.

 

[raisedonnintendo]

Alot of time if you leave n sps n a lowflow area stuff will grow on it. Like cyano or algae somethings are just more likely to get it pike sps n low flow.

 

[grouper therapy]

So what type of flow do you guys think is more beneficial. Intermittent high velocity or steady slower high volume?

 

[raisedonnintendo]

Both but high velocity for targeting purposes.

 

[mockery]

grouper therapy;606955 wrote: So what type of flow do you guys think is more beneficial. Intermittent high velocity or steady slower high volume?

I think slower but more volume.

 

[tchristman]

Have you thought about setting up a surge system for your all in one?

 

[grouper therapy]

TChristman;607054 wrote: Have you thought about setting up a surge system for your all in one?

I have pondered that idea as well. Then I started researching a reverse Carlson surge device