Optimizing Aquarium Flow and Waste Export: A Complete Guide

We're back again with the next installment on our in-depth guide to Coral basics! Josh explains the crucial role of power heads and return pumps in delivering nutrients and filtering out waste and organics. Simplifying some of the most common problems reefers face daily, this beginner-friendly course addresses common flow-related challenges and equips you with the knowledge to create an optimal environment for your corals to thrive.
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[@ajsmilda]

The level of knowledge provided in the WWC videos takes me back to BRS videos a couple of years ago! Keep up the great work of sharing knowledge!❤

[@jdearel1]

That's a huge torch to pass, not so sure about filling those shoes but we are going to keep plugging away and hopefully help a few of us along the way.

[@bewmorg]

Feel like BRS is still a huge contributor to the hobby with the testing they are doing to help everyone. Yes, this vid as basic as it is provided some info I had never thought about that has a major impact. Super happy they are putting stuff out like this.

[@BH0t8498]

Josh is a master on how to explain to me like I’m a two year old so I can understand. Thank You The visual demonstration helped so much. I already know at least 3 things I need to adjust with my all in one. Love watching your content videos. Keep them coming.

[@TheSway82]

Josh, you were an absolute gent with me as a travelling brit just about to get my tank wet. Two years later, and I still remember you showing me around the farm and behind the scenes. Love the vids.

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thank you so much!! Happy Josh left a lasting impression 😁😁

[@jdearel1]

Two years? That's a heck of an impression! Thank you for your continued support

[@TheSway82]

@@jdearel1 all because of the sights I was seeing, and the detailed explanations from you! Was most unexpected for someone who couldn't be a customer, yet found themselves in the store. I've made a bunch more trips to visit (used to hit the shop on way to MCO) - and all staff I've encountered have lived up to this!

[@Jolopy8000]

This video series is great, another great introductory video that even experienced hobbyist get wrong because we just grow in our ways and forget to go back to basics like sump levels.

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thank you so much for the love and support on the channel.

[@abelcorona1060]

Ive been reefing pretty successfully for about 3 years now and never knew what the baffles were used for 😂 crazy to see it in a visual like this. This video is awesome in explaining the concept! 🤙

[@WorldWideCorals]

lol happy we could fill that blank in for you.

[@anscers]

I got into the Hobby about 7 months ago and your guys videos have helped me a lot. I like how i can simplify or complicate this hobby. You guys take the complicated portion and make it easier to understand. Thank you.

[@WorldWideCorals]

You're very welcome my friend

[@Jay-dq5vg]

Great video, very helpful and informative. Thank you for actually explaining the how and not just the why. Too many creators out there that miss that part. Its great to tell people that something is important, but it doesn't help when they never, or cant, seem to explain HOW to achieve it properly. Good job.

[@douglasachaiba7885]

This was excellently done. The visual along with the explanations... Excellent job Josh. Can't wait for your other videos.

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thank you so much for watching Douglas!

[@slothnesmonster31]

This was a genuinely helpful and informative video. Thank you for sharing. I have an average tank with sump, and also a Nuvo40, and it looks like I’ve been doing the Nuvo wrong for a few years now 😬

[@WorldWideCorals]

We will keep these videos coming! We want everyone to succeed as much as possible

[@irvinthatwhitefk8]

Wow you know how many I’ve ask rear sump level and never got your answer just took water out and wow what a flow difference thanks

[@WorldWideCorals]

💪 Happy to help!!

[@DopeameanReef]

Ah ha moment is definitely what just happened to me because I have 2 AIO systems and I struggle with them back chambers .. now you have given me the solution to my problems .. thank you

[@jdearel1]

Haha crisis averted

[@porboi1]

I appreciate the break down. I have been in this hobby for 4 years, I started with Luo's current tank IM 25. I just upgraded to a 4820 peninsula and realized I have too much water for my sump compartment. I always wondered why my protein selection was pretty stagnant. Your break down on how each selection is below one another and where the flow should be is a huge help and I appreciate it! Just by decreasing the water level I have noticed an increase to my pH due to the additional gas exchange! Thanks again

[@jdearel1]

Little bits of help go a long way when it comes to sustained filtration

[@lukeistootall]

13 minutes in, and i found out that i made a beginner mistake on my water level in sump; i now have 10x more flow through my refugium; thank you for making this video!

[@WorldWideCorals]

You are so welcome!

[@_JMann]

Admire your approach as always Josh. You really are an asset to WWC. Congrats on sustaining a successful career in reef keeping man. Hope all is well otherwise too!

[@WorldWideCorals]

🙌 Thank you! I will make sure to let Josh know.

[@cranescoop]

Great video, learned alot I have been doing this for 14 years. There is always more to learn.

[@jdearel1]

How crazy is that 14 years? Thanks for your support, I'm sure we can get a bit more advanced with some of this but for sure fundamentals first.

[@knels5288]

Thx Josh!! Look forward to the next one!

[@WorldWideCorals]

🙌🙌 Thank you for watching

[@kayakcarol]

Brilliant, now I REALLY understand this! You are so good at this, best teacher ever! THANK YOU!🤩

[@jdearel1]

That's why we do these. Thank you for your support

[@vivid.creative.aquatics]

Josh, what a great visual demonstration and walkthrough of how water moves through a sytem. It makes it super easy for our newest hobbiests to understand. Well done!.

[@jdearel1]

Thank you. That's the goal. I feel like this is overlooked and just expected to work straight out of the box. I just so happen to know a guy that makes some really cool return flow adapters as well. Thanks for your kind words

[@casima]

Thanks WWC Josh! Very helpful as I'm in the process of setting up my first salt water tank ❤

[@WorldWideCorals]

If you have questions please reach out to us!

[@smilingjack555]

Thank You Josh.

[@WorldWideCorals]

I will let him know!

[@TANKEDUPMAN]

Thank you for your insight just starting out and this was the information I needed and could not find as much info as this.

[@WorldWideCorals]

We are always happy to help 😁😁

[@brandonclark2170]

The tip at the end about running too much flow through the return and overflow just solved a 3 year problem for me. Water tank in rimless tank was too high and constant adjustment of the gate valve to try to keep the overflow quite…. Now I have the proper water level in my tank and it’s silent! THANK YOU JOSH!

[@jdearel1]

It's unfortunate that it is so simple, yet not obvious. 3 years is defeated, glad you stuck with it.

[@mike_saw_7563]

Love the break down! Being new to this hobby this video helps tremendously.

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thank you for watching and very happy to help

[@ou812reefing]

Outstanding job on all aspects

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thank you!

[@shawnhendricks4345]

I appreciate the videos Josh!! I have no LFS’s so this helps a lot!!

[@WorldWideCorals]

No problem Shawn thank you for watching!

[@InappropriateReefer]

Love this video and the solid info; thank you!

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thank you so much for checking it out!

[@thereefinrican]

Awesome video and demonstration on flow & nutrient in tanks.

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thank you! 🤘🤘

[@AO-bb7pt]

Cycling my first tank in a couple of weeks. I’ve probably watched at least 150 hours of videos, but haven’t heard this simple explanation before. Very helpful thanks.

[@jdearel1]

Well let's get you set up with another 150 more!!

[@MrOz615]

Darn!!. I see my mistake now. Thanks JOSH. Thanks so much .

[@jdearel1]

Aha!

[@NathanielTeel]

I needed this lesson so much! Thank you for creating this!

[@WorldWideCorals]

Happy we could help!

[@Ellery-USA]

Great video and simplifies the concepts.

[@WorldWideCorals]

Happy you enjoyed the video!

[@timothyroberson1126]

Absolutely amazing video! I have been struggling and I am also new to the hobby. This information has helped me readjust my tanks setup. I’m confident this will fix the nitrate issues. I deep cleaned the chambers also to start fresh. Thank you!

[@jdearel1]

Don't expect quick results. It will take some time. It took a while to get where it's at now and will likely take the same time to get it all out.

[@timothyroberson1126]

@@jdearel1 love learning from you brother. Live south of the shop so I’ll have to come visit. Keep up the great work and looking forward to the next video.

[@CGKFPV]

7:15 was what I was trying to wrap my head around for weeks before buying my Red sea nano. SO helpful!

[@N.M.1887]

Honestly simple but good demonstration... 👍

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thank you!

[@kp_reef]

Thank you for this video, im on the west coast of FL. Hopefully one day will make it to your shop. 👊

[@WorldWideCorals]

Let us know when you come to visit!!

[@zachary_smith1]

I LOVEEEEE these more in depth videos. awesome. Giving BRS a run for their money

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thank you so much, We will keep them coming for everyone!!

[@ThEnigma666]

Very interesting video about the waterflow and also cool demonstration. really like these kind of videos. I could watch and also listen to you explaining things about reef tanks for hours. Much love from germany✌️

[@jdearel1]

Thanks!

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thank you! We will keep them coming

[@terezadalsanto4401]

Great video really learnt a lot 😊

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thank you for watching

[@Semper.Reefing]

Great info. I ironically worked on dialing my dursos better this morning. Which was a pain because they can be noisy. But figured it out and turning over my tank twice as much now!

[@jdearel1]

They are tricky. a DC controlled pump or a fine tune gate valve will make life a million times easier good luck on your journey.

[@Semper.Reefing]

@@jdearel1 thank you! I had my jebao dcp 8000 running at 33% before and now up to 80%. I’m happy I added gate valves when I plumbed it!

[@gerardduquette9296]

This was a great video!!

[@caiocnbatista]

The best video about it ever

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thank you so much!

[@rivierareefer5318]

Great video. I fall in the category of overfilling my AIO so next water change I’m resetting my levels! Thanks

[@WorldWideCorals]

No problem at all!

[@MichaelKaldorfishing]

This is exactly what I needed. I run a 25 gallon AIO and I kept my water levels as high as possible. Been like that for a year. Rethinking everything now

[@WorldWideCorals]

Sometimes a small change can make a world of difference

[@PachecoAquarismo]

Muito importante esse video, todos que são iniciantes e até uns mais velhos tem que assistir. ✌🏾🇧🇷

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thank you! We want to help as many people as we can!

[@Reefnow]

Great video

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thanks!!

[@Dylamos]

I love these videos as a newbie

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thank you so much for watching!!

[@barcafishing6243]

Ask always the coral 🪸🧙wizard Josh 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@WorldWideCorals]

I still have to get him a new hat

[@reidgwn7508]

Very cool video man dude! Keep them coming.

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thank you and we will for sure!!

[@borisyurin7120]

Thanks!

[@WorldWideCorals]

No problem 😎😎

[@pabloramirez8130]

Super helpful video!

[@WorldWideCorals]

You're welcome

[@markushoehle1207]

Best flow Video ever 🎉❤

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thank you so much!!

[@PnCBio]

Loving the deep dives!

[@WorldWideCorals]

🙌 Thanks!

[@brandonclark2170]

I love these videos.

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thank you so much!

[@sanjeetdas3512]

Kindly plan such a knowledge sharing on keeping longlasting and thriving euphyllias....preventing sudden bouts of brown jelly die outs❤

[@WorldWideCorals]

I will pass this along to the team for a new Euphyllia video

[@cfw8703]

Very good explanation. How to avoid hermit crabs disturbing corals?

[@jdearel1]

Don't worry about them. They didn't bother anything. It's natural for them to crawl all over everything.

[@samreefer]

Perfect

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thank you!!

[@bewmorg]

mind. blown.

[@TitoDough]

It was cool seeing you at reefapalooza and not just on a screen. Maybe next time I'll be annoying and say hi haha

[@jdearel1]

You should I do enjoy talking reef

[@cakesmithofnorwich]

Really useful video. I think my water levels are too high. My middle and return chamber are lower than the skim chamber but 2 and 3 are the same level.

[@Gavilaso]

Hi Josh, Thank you for your fantastic video on water flow and waste management! I really appreciate all the information you shared. Your videos are incredibly helpful, and I always learn so much from them. I wanted to share that I’m one of WWC Orlando’s clients. After a 16-year break from the hobby, I got back into it almost two months ago. I have a BioCube 32 running with an AI Prime 16, Axis 40, 2 Nero 3s, a UV sterilizer, protein skimmer, Chaeto, Chemi Pure Blue, some media with bio balls, rock frags, ceramic, and a dual nozzle on the return. I'm still trying to figure out the best positions for the Nero 3s and the dual nozzle to achieve optimal water flow. Do you have any advice or suggestions for my setup? Thank you again for all your great content! Best regards,

[@WorldWideCorals]

If you can email photos to [e-mail] so we can see the layout that would be fantastic!!

[@Gavilaso]

@@WorldWideCorals perfect! I will! Also I’m planing to visit today to get some water!

[@englishfishkeeper2007]

I run a 63 gallon tank. 5 fish. Been running almost a year. Tap water. No water change and no filtration. 2 corals

[@WorldWideCorals]

Impressive for sure

[@Swift--1]

Great video! I had a tank with a built in filter and never knew this. I just had a couple questions. Can I use a lower intake instead of a higher one shown in the example or is it possible to use both at the same time? And is it ok to keep a frag rack in front of my intake?

[@WorldWideCorals]

As long as you get movement in the intakes it should be fine, And I would not put a frag rack in front, You do not want anything blocking the intake.

[@MikeGervasi]

Brother..This and your prior video were amazingly informative. I followed your lighting suggestions and I can see the corals responding positively already. Now I have to get some water drop in my sump as I've always had it set to equal to my return pump due to 8" level wanted for my skimmer. Keep these coming :)

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thank you for the continued love and support Mike, We will keep them coming for everyone!

[@hansgruer2907]

I just bought a Nero 7 for my 65 gallon probably gonna be overkill but I think it should be ok

[@WorldWideCorals]

Just watch it and adjust if need be :)

[@aquablue6715]

Such a useful video, although how would you maintain the levels in the rear chamber if your tank has an overflow weir down the bottom as well as the top, it seems as though the water level stays completely the same across all compartments and the tank, it creates a bio film on the surface which sucks, is it possible to fix?

[@jdearel1]

It's hard to answer this without seeing. However if it is anything like the marine land overflows of times past, they took have a lover intake but it is just a passage behind the cover that also flows up and over the top along with the upper weir. This does the same thing because it creates a draw.

[@anthonynovello7759]

@WorldWideCorals Great Video Josh ! I own a JBJ RF-65 and after this video I believe I am running to much water in my back chamber . Are you familiar with this tank ? where should my water level be ? On one side i run a Cup with filter floss and the other Cup with Carbon /Gfo when needed . Tunze 9012 skimmer in second chamber ( on side w no floss) Thanks

[@jdearel1]

A Minimum of of 2" above the pump in the pump chamber. All the way up to 2" below the last baffle fall dial in between those two marks to get the desired noise of cascade.

[@bewmorg]

It would be cool to see a an optimal AOI fuge design. Maybe two designs one for a single overflow and another for larger tanks with two. Tank shown here has some tight plates while others have a big gap/chamber between the inital overflow and getting to the return pump.. how does that affect things? is it just more room to put things like a heater or bio media or is it not as good for some other reason?

[@mikebutler6961]

How does this affect a HOB filter?

[@jdearel1]

A hang on filter is just extremely inefficient at doing the job. The likelihood of material in the water column passing by the pickup is significant less than a surface skimming overflow. Utilizing the movement from the power head to direct the flow of particulate toward the pickup will increase it's effectiveness by a small percentage. Next best would be an additional hob.

[@pezza371887]

Great video as ever team. Im struggling a little with positioning my powerhead in my red sea reefer 200. I have a reef wave 25 which is a gyre style pump. Ive notice my red montipora is getting a lot of debris sitting on it. The powerhead is above the plate with one pump angled up for surface flow and the other angled further down. I also have lps in the tank so unsure if i should increase flow, angle it more directly at the plate or add another powerhead on the opposite side pushing water over the plate directly. Do you have any thoughts Josh? Cheers Allister

[@jdearel1]

The position below your power heads will always be the place where the heavier debris falls. This is why I prefer multiple sources of flow. Because the opposing side would prevent this from happening if delivered properly.

[@jdearel1]

However they will likely need to be decreased from your current percentage and off cycle intermittently in order to work well

[@aussied723]

A big👍

[@WorldWideCorals]

💖💖

[@pasci0057]

I never have measurable nitrate, but the phos is always there.

[@dalecruz715]

Me 2

[@jdearel1]

This would indicate at face value that it is a newer tank with very little active micro-life forms or bioload. Or simply effective filtration in an older setup. Po4 should already need management if your tank is being fed properly. Po4 is always the direct result of the food that you feed

[@kevin16scalecollector54]

What about Gyre pumps? Aren’t they supposed to be superior for getting a blanket of flow at the top AND bottom of the tank?

[@WorldWideCorals]

I would not say Superior but in longer systems they are good to help move more water side to side for sure.

[@michaelreeves8052]

It seems like even when I get particles back up into suspension in my 20 AIO, they do not hold at the surface and just recirculate. Some particles do make it through the weir but most approach, then fall back into circulation towards the powerhead. Could this have to do with surface tension? My lighting brackets break the water surface on both sides.

[@jdearel1]

Heard to understand what you are saying entirely but turn off the powerhead and play with the surface skimming that way. It's possibly there isn't enough draw through the weir. If that's the case there needs to be more return pump. If not the way your powerhead is directing flow it is creating an inefficiency for drainage

[@WorldWideCorals]

It is possible yes Michael, Has it always been like that or is this something recent you have noticed?

[@michaelreeves8052]

@@WorldWideCorals It's a new tank so tinkering with it as I go along. Recently fed some frozen food, when pumps kicked back on after "feed mode", I watched some particles get stirred up and seem to just circle. Return pump is set to around 200 gph. Nero 3 pump is set to 30% and its positioned on the right side glass, pretty much the same spot as the WB20 tank I saw in one of the WWC videos. I'm going to play around with it, maybe try removing light brackets to see if that's causing the issue, then see if increasing return helps, and mess with the powerhead positioning. Right now seems like the setup I have is creating a zone by the weir where particles cant decide which way to go.

[@michaelreeves8052]

@@jdearel1 Yes, there seem to be an inefficiency in the area by the weir that is causing particles to be "confused" which way to go. Going to take your advice and start with surface skimming, no powerhead.

[@WorldWideCorals]

@@michaelreeves8052 Best way to check is place some flake food and see how it moves in the flow line, Make it a bit better to see.

[@queencityreefs]

👏🙌👌✌️

[@WorldWideCorals]

💪💪

[@EugeneRu777]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thank you.

[@oldschoolnewventure845]

did Ryan reach out to John S

[@jdearel1]

🤷‍♂️

[@racso415]

Audio is not included? Or just me?

[@WorldWideCorals]

Audio is on it my friend.

[@brandonclark2170]

Just you.

[@slothnesmonster31]

Worked fine when I watched it 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@KeoReef]

first

[@WorldWideCorals]

🤘🤘

[@Arborpress]

This doesn't seem achievable with waterbox tanks. Their return nozzle placement is 3-4 inches higher than what the tank in the video has it's nozzle at. It's not possible to have the water level that low in the back chambers without having the return nozzle pretty much outside of the water blasting a waterfall into the surface.

[@jdearel1]

This is entirely possible with the waterbox. The height of the nozzle has no impact on the directional flow. It actually better impacts the PH and DO. The rear Chambers function exactly the same with two less baffles

[@Arborpress]

Literally tested this out myself to get the chamber water level that low I need to take out ALOT of water. I am using the standard 225 micron filter sock (felt not mesh) which is the only difference I see in the video other than return nozzle placement.

[@jdearel1]

@@Arborpress and what was wrong with taking out a lot of water? Send some pictures to our customer service and I think I may be able to help out better

[@richh6790]

Great content, but please cut out the zoom in/zoom out camera work - it's really, really off-putting and doesn't add anything to the message...