15 column waterflow

[Endevor]

What do you guys suggest for a 15 gallon column waterflowwise? I was thinking 2 marineland maxipro pumps 500gph on the back wall caddy corner to each other for sort of a cross current. Any thoughts?

 

[acrab78]

I would probably do three nano korialas (all 240 or one 425). That way you could have two up top aimed at each other and you could have one low in that tall tank.

 

[Endevor]

I attached a diagram of what I'm looking at when I see my tank. The one on the left is my original idea; the one on the right is my interpretation of what you suggested.

If I could, I'd really prefer to mount the powerheads in the back so I can sort of cover the bulk with live rock, but I'm concerned it may push all the water to the front and die. My hope would be that it turns the corner so that everything's moving like I have in my diagram. My other concern is total waterflow. Using the 30x-40x rule, I need from 450gph to 600gph. Do I achieve that with several lowerpowered powerheads or do I need them all to be within that range?

 

[MBIETZ]

I wouldnt put the return that low unless you put a check valve on it if you leave it with no check valve then if the power went out or lost power in any way it would completely drain your tank. Also i just have 2x240 koralias in my 20g with minor return pump flow i bet a 420 up top and a 240 at the bottow would work fine or vis versa.

 

[Endevor]

Yea, I was thinking about that. I would definitely need to put a valve in. I figured I would return at the bottom so that the overflow wasn't sucking in any fresh returning water. Also would provide a low current for the floor and higher currents for upper tank and corals. I like the specs of the koralias, so 2 of those sound good. I'm now thinking return on bottom left, a 240 on the right about half way up, and a 420 on top left. Anyone think a different arrangement would be better? As I'm typing, I'm teasing the idea of switching the 420 and 240 to have more equal currents from either side.