180 mixed reef

[isotope21]

After reading EVERY configuration thread (or so it seems), I thought I'd have all my answers on what to order BUT maybe this is just proof that each reefkeeper's desires and setup is unique...

My new project is going to be a standard 180 with the not-so-standard built in overflows (half hex or trapezoid shape, whatever you want to call it) located in the center of the short 24" walls. This provides a tasty 24 sq ft of viewing area, and I will aquascape a central island with a SSB running around the perimeter. I am still a mixed reef nut and this tank will be no exception - a few softies, some euphyllias, cynarina, scolymia, BTAs, AND plenty of SPS.

So the standard length of the 180 is 72," but the overflows are each 5" deep which reduces the length down the center to 62." Since the overflows don't span the entire length of the 24" walls, there is still plenty of room to mount the streams all the way back in the corner.

Given my intentions for a truly mixed reef, what equipment would you recommend? I was thinking 2x6100 w/7095 but maybe 1x6100 and 1x6000 could provide more variety? The return pump will supply ~900gph on a SCWD at each end of the tank, and I don't intend to have any other additional sources of flow.

Thanks!
-Pete

 

[rvitko]

Given the anemones I would lean toward the 7400/2 which can be made anemone safe, I would use 2 of them, one on each end in the back corners. If you place the pumps high the top of your rock structure would be well suited to SPS while the rest of the tank will have a lower flow, you will extend the intakes below the rock work to eliminate any danger to the anemones.

 

[isotope21]

Thanks for the reply Roger, I don't plan on having any rockwork so the intakes will still be exposed. What kind of pattern do the 7400's emit, eg the 6100's produce a broad cylinder that is 6' long and 2' in diameter and I'm curious how the 7400 compares?

That said, I realize that keeping anemones with powerful flow devices and exposed intakes is a calculated risk - fortunately I have kept my anemones for over two years, and know their habits and preferences well and plan on creating a suitable home in the center far away from any flow devices. BTA's really hate "floating free" and since the SSB will form a moat of sorts around the rock island, I'm hoping that my calculated risk will actually be neglible.

Thanks again for your always prompt replies,
Pete

 

[rvitko]

If you are set on the Streams the 6000 would be the right choice for those inhabitants- 2 of them. The 7400/2 creates a flow that is about 6ft long as well but about half the diameter. It has slightly more pressure as it comes from a 1" nozzle. The bounce back can cover an equal area depending on placement and the advantage is the tank has more flow zonation this way with a weak bounce back flow area and a strong direct flow area.

 

[Mark]

Regarding BTA's and streams, I have tried two RBTA's in my tank with two streams. Both times, I woke up to bits of RBTA floating around in the tank. My rockwork consists of islands not touching the glass. There is sand all around the rock. Nevertheless, both times, within 24 hrs my RBTA's were somehow attracted to the streams and did not last long. I still love my stream pumps, but unfortunately my clowns will have to live without an anemone for now.

 

[Kreeger1]

I've had a rbta in my tank with a 6080 6 months and with a 6100 added a month or so ago. No problems yet and my rose is 10 inches away from the side of the 6100
Erik

 

[isotope21]

Roger, Mark, Erik, thanks for your input. Roger I'm not dead set on the streams, just looking for the right (and the minimum, for asthetics) amount of equipment for the environment I want to create.

Mark sorry about the slice-and-dice. How long is your tank end-to-end, I couldn't tell from the gallery photos (5' best guess)?

Pete

 

[rvitko]

Pete, If I was doing this tank and had to guess what the ultimate would be and this is with no regard for wait times which is pretty bad on the wavebox right now. I would use a wavebox- absolutely anemone safe, gentle flow in every square inch of the tank. For directional flow I would put a pair of 7400/2 on the opposite end and run the whole deal on a 7095 multicontroller such that the pumps came on and pulsed and then just idled and this change occured every 6 hours, the wavebox would run continuously. For my return, I would run a GRI mid size pump doing about 1200gph and put that through two back mounted 1" Sea Swirls. OK, my solution isn't cheap but it would be absolutely safe for those animals and you would have strata for all species. The main thing you will need to do with the 7400/2 is extend and T the intakes near the substrate or bare bottom, with 14" of intake flat along the bottom the area is diffuse and the risk is minimal, this also essentially doubles your flow, you get a suction flow and the actual flow of the pumps. These pumps set up this way is really the way to go for anemones. I wish more people would give them a try, I know the Streams are what is hot now but they are not for every purpose

 

[Mark]

Pete,
My tank is 5'. I'm upgrading to the regular 180 soon. I may give it a try one more time. I'm actually considering replacing one of the streams with a wavebox.

Roger, I agree people overlook the other turbelles too much, because the streams are the new exciting product.

 

[isotope21]

Thanks all. Worst case scenario would end up with me Ebaying popular Tunze stuff, with all the backorders it sounds like it might move pretty fast. I don't think shredded anemones would be too cool, will have to play this one very carefully.

Cheers,
Pete

Mark why only go up 10 gallons?! With all the effort required, might as well kick it up another notch!

 

[Mark]

lol, Pete. 10 gallons may not seem like much, but it's really about getting better dimensions. My current tank is 30" tall and 5' long. I guess I never really liked the tallness and always regretted not going with a standard 180, which has more surface area. I also built the stand for my original tank, and being a perfectionist I was upset that it didn't turn out to be a work of art(my first major woodworking project). So finally I decided, instead of complaining about my tank choice for the next few years, just bite the bullet and get the standard 180g and buy a nice stand for it.