Starting an 18 gallon Tank....

[brandino83]

I just recently purchased an 18 gallon tank....I've been helping my gf ever since she got her 55 so I finally decided it was my turn!
I bought 20LBS of LS and put a cup full of her sand in my tank. I just ordered some tonga branch and am using a couple pieces of her LR (for now...before she notices I took some....hehehe....)
I was wondering if I got a Power Sweep Powerheads ( 160 gph) and a 60 gallon HOB filter (330 gph) would that be too much flow?
Is this to much?
I want 1 percula clown, and maybe a firefish...thats about it for fish, and would like to have shrooms, zoas, and yellow polyps..
As always thanks for you help everyone!!

 

[peef]

The way I look at flow (some will say differently) is that as long as nothing is
1. getting blown over
2. Showing obvious signs of stress (whether its fish REALLY fighting the current or corals all closed up and scared)
3. sand bed stirred up like a snow storm
You cant really have too much. Think about the currents that the ocean is subject to. I think you will be just fine as long as you look at those three factors. Maybe look at a Koralia 1 PH they are designed for the smaller tanks. I had the power sweep you are looking at and I though it was way to bulky for my 24g. If you are wanting the wave effect get a Hydorflo reflecting powerhead. They are AWESOME!