Is Flow KILLING Your Corals?

We've been getting many questions about how to add flow to an aquarium. A wave maker can easily cause stress and even kill the corals inside of your reef tank if not done correctly. Josh explains everything you need to know about flow. How to know which wave maker is best for your tank and how to correctly use them.
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[@danlahrman5395]

"Reading the coral" That's what I was looking for. I think many of us could benefit from a lot more "reading the coral" education.

[@WorldWideCorals]

🤘🤘

[@TXREEF]

This is such an excellent, no BS guide to flow. I love the phrase you always use, "acropora vs everything else" - you absolutely don't need to murder a mixed reef with thousands of gallons per hour!

[@WorldWideCorals]

Glad you liked it! Maybe we should title these videos No BS with Josh 😅

[@ProducerReef]

This was the video I needed. I’m trying to figure out my flow now and I’m so glad this gave me a better perspective of what to do. Thank you.

[@WorldWideCorals]

Glad to hear that, if you have any questions please let us know!

[@anthonynovello7759]

@ worldwidecorals what setting do you use on mp 40s. In a lps / softie tank with few easy SPS ?

[@philbredehoft9232]

Really enjoy hearing Josh discuss husbandry, thank you!

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thank you for watching! Let us know what educational videos you'd like to see!

[@sunnygoold9449]

by far the best video on flow for LPS (Abe's is similar level for acros)

[@WorldWideCorals]

We appreciate you!! Thank you for watching!

[@ryanboone731]

Awesome video great info! Casper is under the rick work starting at 22 seconds

[@sanpietroprogettista9887]

Thank you

[@WorldWideCorals]

You're welcome😊

[@3qssmokedribsbbq588]

Great video! It helps me how to now readjust my flow! Can ya do a video for smaller tanks? Red Sea 20 gallon.

[@ColoDano78]

Super helpful video, I definitely had a couple of my powerheads turned up too high!

[@WorldWideCorals]

Glad it helped!

[@kevinwadiak6654]

Thank you for this!

[@WorldWideCorals]

Hope the video helps! Thank you for watching!

[@cainchand5134]

Extremely good video. The hobby needed this one

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thank you! Are there other topics you think we should cover?

[@cainchand5134]

@@WorldWideCorals I have taken what I learned from this video and I have already seen a positive change in my reef tank. I would say a video on long term ownership of a nano tank (sub 100ltrs) for long term easy success for people starting out in the hobby. Maintaining nutrients and the potential big fluctuations in parameters can make the hobby challenging with a small tank. And I think an easy to understand video such as the likes of this one would be beneficial for new hobbyists to help keep them in the hobby.

[@TheRobTuber]

6 foot peninsula. Mixed reef. Pump set up recommendations to NOT have any pumps on the 3 glass sides?

[@ou812reefing]

An absolutely great way to explain flow for corals great video and perhaps you could explain proper water turn over with a sump what is too much and what might not be enough

[@WorldWideCorals]

That's a great topic!! Thanks for the suggestion!

[@ruffaccord]

Great video. Thank you

[@WorldWideCorals]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@TheRobTuber]

What would you recommend for a 6 foot peninsula if you didn’t want powerheads on one side? Would two gyres would’ve vertically work to remove stuff to the sump enough?

[@_Wake_Up_If_U_Can]

Thanks for the video. Recommendation: Your in between scene music is way louder then your speaking volume. Your music made me jump. My Kef Q100s and my 12" ported down firing Infinity 1262W powered off a Crown XLS1002 was blasting my room. Recently learned how to use Davinci Resolve. In the audio portion there is a visualizer to see easily when the audio is uneven. You can literally lower the loud parts and even raise the quiet parts.

[@judithyoungquist8409]

Great presentation, thank you

[@Fragcorals]

Thanks. You really explained it perfectly!!!

[@WorldWideCorals]

Glad it was helpful!

[@JtTaylor-mx3tm]

I plan on building a nano with a 6 gallon betta tank. I plan on putting a bit bigger filter inside than what it comes with. To be specific, it will be a HOB filter. I wonder if i could achieve good filtering and flow with a HOB filter

[@saltwaterandlime]

@worldwidecorals Can yall do a video on the tank that sits to the left of this one in the store? I love the carpet anemone in that one!!

[@jakehiggs9354]

Great video on flow. Would love to see a video about tank parameter stability. IE how to have that stable alk, cal, mag and nitrate/phos for happy coral growth.

[@WorldWideCorals]

Great suggestion!! Thank you for watching!

[@ou812reefing]

World Wide Corals great information very inspiring never a disappointment

[@WorldWideCorals]

Much appreciated

[@xisotopex]

having such problems with flow in my 20 gallon.... it seems the corals are either getting blasted or not, in any case the sand either has all kinds of crap, or a huge bald spot gets scoured away, and this is using two power heads at 40% with a slow sine wave setting...

[@mohamedashfan3874]

Update video on those sps lps coner systems.

[@WorldWideCorals]

Great suggestion!!

[@faded_prodigy4202]

That’s crazy my acro is growing amazing but my elks horn has half died would you call that lucky or unlucky😭

[@JohntheHalloweenguy]

Think I need to change my flow with my new setup can anyone help recommend how I could set it up. ?

[@ryansummers3580]

When the lights go off what should your flow be on a night setting or keep them the same flow 24-7

[@WorldWideCorals]

We keep most of the tanks at the same flow during the night :)

[@ryansummers3580]

Thank you there is a lot of talk about flow but never when lights go off

[@jdearel1]

If you feel like your corals don't get the food they need you could always try night mode implementation. It doesn't hurt to try, corals do feed at night

[@jsul2211]

I’m starting a small 20 peninsula but my thought is to buy the XR 15 and mp10 so when I do upgrade later I’m not buying more on top

[@jdearel1]

You may want to consider a powerhead that can be mounted on the rear panel of a peninsula

[@lukefham7138]

So for a redsea reefer 350 sps tank, would you get 3 maxspect gyre 350 or 2 mp40s?

[@WorldWideCorals]

That looks like a typical tank someone would put an mp40 or Nero on. But of course it all depends on your aquascape as well!

[@eal1]

Avoid MP40s I bought a pair, both externals self destructed in a few months and although they got repaired under warranty separately who needs such unreliable equipment, return costs, time lost etc. I think shops promote them for the high price and profit margin they make so be wary advice you'll end up paying for. They are a nice concept but badly executed.

[@johnbargas5128]

Casper is at 7:49 on the left bottom corner of the video.

[@WorldWideCorals]

Please email [e-mail]

[@Scotty_Labeouf]

Multiple powerheads turned down makes so much more sense

[@WorldWideCorals]

Yes! The powerheads will last longer and multiple powerheads can allow for more random water movement :)

[@jameswithers3066]

Great video, in what cases would you use the pulse function over the reef crest? Or doesnt it matter? Fantastic videos WWC.

[@jdearel1]

To me they are about the same. However I tend to use them pulse more when I want to lift waist from the bottom in a tank that doesn't handle the flow well.

[@jameswithers3066]

@@jdearel1 thanks for the reply Josh.

[@PowerStrokeHer]

9:23 Casper

[@PissFingerz]

Great video Josh. It’s nice to watch a WWC video where the host doesn’t say “you guys” every 5th word.

[@edwardownen]

Great video Josh Would also love to see one about lighting - PAR vs photoperiod Can you make up for less PAR with higher photoperiod? Will longer photoperiod at 'safe PAR' bleach out your low light corals?

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thats a great idea!! Thank you for the suggestion!

[@capt16c]

Great description of a happy coral vs a pissed off coral and why!

[@atkinsnatureaquariums3552]

These are kind of videos i like, reminds me of Jake Adams studio, showcasing different styles of flow in different tanks. I do enjoy seeing the high end tanks but this was a great change of topic, and i hope to see more.

[@WorldWideCorals]

We appreciate it!! Hope to inspire and educate the viewers with our videos :)

[@rajgill7576]

Hahah are you my doppelganger?? Im a big bakd guy with a beard too xD

[@WorldWideCorals]

Long lost cousin possibly 🤔

[@patterdalezipsuzilil]

I get enough flow from my return pipes I just use my wave pump on low to clear top of water 10 mins after lights out

[@FishNDive121]

Man, you have been killing it! You’re videos have been extremely helpful and it’s great to hear your perspective with respect to how much time you have mastering your craft!

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thank you so much!

[@Mstgkillr]

I’m planning to reboot by mixed reef (SPS dominant) Red Sea S1000 (83”x27”x26”). I currently have (4) MP60s and after watching this video, it appears I have way too much flow. I’m looking for the ideal powerhead setup for now and the future. Should I keep any of the MP60s, go with (4) MP40s, or a couple of XF350 gyres?

[@wilsonchang3742]

I've got a small Marine tank 50x40x30. which power head should I buy?

[@ivetteechevarria9720]

Hi, could you please tell me where should I psoition my wave makers in a 92 galon corner tank. Thank you, I would really appreciate it.

[@nicbellanger1874]

This guy has the most annoying speaking habit. Why is every sentence a question? The one is all over the place. Why are random words getting stressed? Maybe a script would have helped out.

[@Jefengland]

Great video. What is the best power head and placement for a Red Sea G2 Nano Max XL

[@aaronjames994]

4yrs with my 120 and 2 mp40s. I could hve used this video sooner.

[@PowerStrokeHer]

7:56 casper

[@XhemiheadX]

Where are the good tropical fish stores in Texas? Name the city/place willing to travel a bit

[@thereefaholic]

I would add one thing that I found incredibly important. Have heads that are controllable. I did a video on how this changed my reef tank. My 60 cube has about 10,000 GPH if all the heads are cranked. But having controllable heads that are programmed to do something different than the other heads (inverse is my favorite) as well as changing flow rate depending on the time of day have a massive impact. I would have gentle random flow at night with low to medium wave lapping at sun rise and strong random flow all day and then have it settle back down. My growth took off to the point where I had issues fitting my hand in the tank. Unfortunately this leads you to incompatible pumps. If your an apex reefer than compatibility is a must.

[@kbee7538]

My hammers and mushrooms hate flow i just use my return pipe from sump and use a wave for 5 mins after lights been off for 2 hrs just to clear top of water

[@TheGabrielberki]

What kind of substrate is that? Its really chunky

[@juliel6223]

absolutely loved this video. best one i have seen on this subject. super informative, I feel i have a tangible and a solid understanding of what i should and can do to support my coral in terms of providing adequate flow. Thank you for walking through it so clearly and concisely. Subscribing and looking forward to watching more videos 🤗

[@WorldWideCorals]

Glad it was helpful! Are there other topics you would like to see us cover?

[@zachary_smith1]

I’m in love with that first tank. How do I aim the return with power head direction or opposing it? My tank is just like your first one you showed. Same size too. 3’ long. Also should I aim them up to move waste toward overflows?

[@WorldWideCorals]

If you have gyres, you should aim at least one of the heads up towards the water surface to get some surface skimming action. Just make sure it is not splashing water.

[@prophetessoftroy]

Exactly what I was hoping for. Thank you so much, Josh. The visual references are SO helpful. Loving the mix of the educational videos with the tank tours and installation updates. Keep it all coming! WWC is such a great resource, and your knowledge and expertise are very much appreciated, especially by those of us still relatively new to the hobby.

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thank you for the feedback! We're glad the information was helpful

[@PureShmental]

Tom Segura is looking great these days! Seriously though, great vid! Thanks for the lesson, Josh (Tom)

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thank you for watching!!

[@nickcortese990]

I killed a lot of ACRO in the beginning by blasting them directly with Nero 5s. Im glad AI came out with the Gyro type powerheads!

[@WorldWideCorals]

Hopefully your killing days are far behind you?

[@AvengX22]

Wow Great video Josh, what would you recommend for a 170max E mixed reef. Rock structure in middle more so to the back of the tank.

[@jdearel1]

There are options. This is a relatively small aquarium so it's easy to accomplish. Nero's are a great option, mp10's another great option, as well as the small gyre. These can easily go on the back wall to hide the look but you would need 2 to do it well. If you only want to make 1 purchase then just add any of the above to the left or right in the path of least resistance generally more toward the front.

[@thomasmiller2089]

Casper 749 on bottom right of screen

[@Ca4rless6969]

7:50 you can see on the bottom corner Casper pops up 2 times

[@cynthiamarqueztapia1671]

what do you recommend for a 15 gallon tank I only have two clown fishes and one ananomi and 1 big mushroom that looks like a tree and a shrimp and 2 Snails in 3 or 2 snails that live under the sand.

[@WorldWideCorals]

What do you have right now?

[@Moondoggy1941]

Great video, very informative, Josh is the perfect person to explain it.

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thank you for watching! Glad you enjoyed the video!!

[@manik3353]

Can you do a video on your frag pond?

[@johnbogart1973]

do u have your flow at a constant or off and on ?

[@oldschoolnewventure845]

I see you have a Nero seven in the back

[@WorldWideCorals]

They work great!

[@ultramaximusreviews]

I am a low flow guy

[@gregoryrunningelk865]

Were are you located in California? And do you have a northern location? I am in Merced.

[@hynos323]

I think they’re in Florida

[@techhr7453]

excelent info.

[@richishere82]

Great info bro . Helps me our so much .

[@patterdalezipsuzilil]

My euphilia hat flow

[@ROTTERtube]

Great video! What gyre do you recommend for a 6' long tank. 125 gallon?

[@warzoneearth1]

in my 100.3 I use 2 sicce sdc. chefs kiss perfect

[@WorldWideCorals]

Great to hear!!! Sicce makes great products!

[@MrKea009]

Very good video, good explanation of all the corals and the flow. 1 question: I have a red sea Max nano where I use the standard filter and a tunze turbelle e jet powerhead, because I had to many problems with detritius. I find my flow to high, but when I remove the powerhead it’s so a big change in the little nano that I have other problems again. I can not adapt the powerhead by putting it on 25% because there is no option on it. What suggestions do you have? Because I can’t keep mushrooms, scolly, lobos and fungia anymore. Please can someone help me

[@jdearel1]

It sounds like the powerhead that you are using is not a great fit for your scenario. What may be another option would be to run the pump more intermittently with either a slower or a faster frequency of cycle. "to give the corals a break" so to speak. But you may also be fighting the fact that the equipment isn't right for the scenario.

[@queencityreefs]

How are yall liking the Illumagic X4?

[@WorldWideCorals]

They are great! We are using a lot of them

[@angrysackmagic4633]

Always a reliable source! Impressive dude!

[@VolodymyrBohomolov]

What kind of blue Goniopora is that kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYm9ZndprtyBn9k Nothing looking like that in the stores...

[@WorldWideCorals]

Which Goni are you looking at?

[@VolodymyrBohomolov]

@@WorldWideCorals blue one on the edge, with long tentacles at 3:08

[@ninjaneat]

7:50

[@JulioArias]

7:49

[@timg7317]

Bert, is it you? 😁

[@RomseyReef]

Very educational 👍 I enjoy WWC videos the team is great keep it going please you can never put to many great advice out there to us the people. Hello from 🇬🇧 👋

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thank you for watching! We hope to inspire and educate everyone with our videos :)

[@mikew4435]

7:50

[@martinward7239]

This is the best explanation of water flow I have seen. Thank you.

[@cesardalli]

07:49 CASPER

[@kiogh5295]

Hey guy's please please help I have mwl-20 jebao wavemaker what ever I do I can't get ideal wave in my tank my tank Dimensions is 80.50.30 include stuff in tank I thought I have 90 or 100 liters water

[@WorldWideCorals]

What can we help you with?

[@kiogh5295]

@@WorldWideCorals hello as I said I try so many places in my tank I never get forth and back wave does my wave maker to strong for my tank or any other reason? And I have just one wave maker

[@WorldWideCorals]

@@kiogh5295 That one power head might not be strong enough if you are not getting enough movement

[@kiogh5295]

@@WorldWideCorals perhaps but as I know mlw-20 10000 litter power per hour including my tank Dimensions 100 liters I thought powerful anyway thank you so much for responding

[@estonianreefer2851]

Very nice informative video with a great presentation with a very good presenter. Thank you ❤

[@WorldWideCorals]

We appreciate it!!

[@saltwaterandlime]

Thanks for this Josh!! After we talked after your last video on the 100.3 I reduced the flow in mine and the corals have definitely been happier

[@jdearel1]

Just be careful too low is bad too. High variance of peak intensity is important as well. Glad to hear the video was helpful

[@ryan_sweeney]

Great video! In your opinion, is a Maxspect XF-350 Gyre too much for a mixed reef 120g tank that's 48x24x24?

[@Thresher555]

This is a great video. I have a custom tank 2metres long about 46cm wide and 60cm high and am running two Red Sea 45s but both vertical. I am going to switch one to horizontal after watching this and the other one point to blast the back of the tank. Question for the horizontal one do you point it deliberately up towards the surface, say mid tank aim, or just straight across the tank at the level the power head is mounted, in your case 2.5 inches into the water ?

[@mikewilliamson7164]

Thank you very much for your video. I have qty 2 300 gallon reef tanks. They are doing fairly well but I feel i have too much flow.. I have 4 maxspec 350. set at about 70 % max flow and 25& minimum flow for a 30 second square wave. My acros are dong well but the Torch is not out tht much and pulled in. I am asuming too much flow.

[@bluerider0988]

Great video. Thanks.

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thank you for watching!

[@elainelee6741]

Love the video you "Rock"

[@WorldWideCorals]

Thank you!!

[@raffaelefeniello23]

Great information Thank you so much

[@WorldWideCorals]

Appreciate you watching, happy to hear you enjoyed the video :)

[@AlexEchavarria-t7t]

I never understood how important waterflow needs to be in my tank. I know realized my waterflow is not adequate which is contributing to high readings of Phosphate and Nitrates, ultimately killing my corals. Lots to learn. Thank you for putting great content.

[@thomasdirocco]

Great video Josh! A lot of people don't realize how little flow Euphyllia truly get in the wild. They're often in murky, lower energy areas vs. other small polyped corals.

[@jdearel1]

This is very true. I often see the tanks though, catered to euphyllia and the rest of the tank suffers from too subtle of an environment. Leading to hair algae and cyano and just simply dying corals. So it is definitely a balance that matters most. Thanks for your support.

[@pandalover5678]

On your 400 gallon tank, you said one gyre is on random setting. What is a the other gyre set on?

[@fearisreligion]

I have two reefwave 25's in my tank. It's a 75 gallon mixed reef and one gyre is put on each side. My question is, do you have the gyre heads pointing up to the surface or do you have them pointed in different directions?

[@PhiCongDoan7587]

I think I spotted Casper at 19:56. I would like to see more videos of coral care specific kinds too. I just can't seem to keep Zoas. They start to recess and die. But my Palys are fine. My zoas are sitting just alittle higher than the Palys next to them but they aren't doing too good. So I will try to turn down the flow and see what happens.

[@rickgordon6243]

I have a proclear 60 cube and I am trying to get good flow any good suggestions would be greatly appreciated

[@ryanlewis4919]

Great video, very informative

[@WorldWideCorals]

Appreciate it! Glad you enjoyed the video :)

[@MrKea009]

When everybody is happy we are 😊

[@WorldWideCorals]

Gotta make everyone happy!

[@kF-mj9uz]

Very cool video what type of sand do you use it looks dark blue or black or is it lighting it looks cool … what type ?