5' X 5' Cube - 500 Gallon system
- Thread starter Wade2185
- Start date
Wade2185
New member
OK. Now I am re-thinking my flow in this tank. I was not going to do a closed loop but now it looks like I need to. Here is what I am thinking now. Return about 2500 GPH through the sump. I am thinking about 2 returns with penductors. I will then run 1 Tunze 6060 stream and 2 Tunze 6080 streams for a total of about 5500 GPH. Then I am thinking about running a closed loop through my OM 4 way unit. I will use a 3000 - 5000 GPH pump on the closed loop. How does that sound? Also, I have seen some "Jacuzzi" style return heads that swivel. I cannot find them now. Can someone point me in the right direction? I am thinking about using 4 of these with the CL so that I can adjust the flow pattern as needed.
asnatlas
New member
If it were me I would skip the CL and go with one or two more Tunzes... If you are looking at like 3-5000pgh on your CL one 6200 would give you 5283gph @ 62w for about $450.00... With 62w (5283gph) running 24/7 at $0.08 KWH youââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢re looking at like $4.00 a month ($48.00 per yr)... So in the first year to get 5283gph 24/7 it would cost you like $500.00 and 50.00 every year after for running it... If you go with a CL your looking at about $300.00 for a hammerhead and like $20.00 a month ($240.00 a yr) to run it so in your first yr with your CL your at the same price as the 6200 would be after 2 yrs of initial cost with running and that does not include the BHs and plumbing which can add up very fast... If you go with a single pump CL if that pump dies your entire CL is downââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦ If you go with multi Tunzes and one of them dies you still have flowââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦
NOTE : Figures above are ruff calculations @ $0.08 KWH
NOTE : Figures above are ruff calculations @ $0.08 KWH
szwab
Premium Member
that would eliminate dead spots that either your closed loop or tunzes miss. Don't have one but have seen many systems with them and they are impressive. I hope to soon have one in my tank to take care of the corners and underneath/between the rock work.
For what it's worth I tried the valves thing for my dursos and the were fairly loud from the air being sucked through them.
For what it's worth I tried the valves thing for my dursos and the were fairly loud from the air being sucked through them.
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cward
Premium Member
You would definitely need the wavebox extension to make it work with a large cube tank, but I have not tried this yet.
One point that Shawn overlooks when comparing powerheads to a closed loop is the ease of maintenance with the closed loop pump. If I had powerheads buried in rock work to hide the their hideousness
, then I would have to dig them out every time I had to clean them. You could hide them in a false back, but this limits you in changing the direction of the flow as the tank grows and the corals block the flow.
I do think the Tunze's are a great product, but I think a large tank would be better with a combination of streams and closed loops.
My .02
One point that Shawn overlooks when comparing powerheads to a closed loop is the ease of maintenance with the closed loop pump. If I had powerheads buried in rock work to hide the their hideousness
, then I would have to dig them out every time I had to clean them. You could hide them in a false back, but this limits you in changing the direction of the flow as the tank grows and the corals block the flow.I do think the Tunze's are a great product, but I think a large tank would be better with a combination of streams and closed loops.
My .02
kris4647
New member
I would definitely go with less tank turnover. 3-4x at most, Itââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s just too much of a hassle to accommodate and manage [micro-bubbles etc] that much flow in the sump. As well as not necessary.
IMO pursue a larger CL and supplement with maybe two tunzes. The points concerning powerheads are valid in terms of electrical consumption but aesthetics are what would concern me. You can completely hide a CL; not so with Tunze even if you use the rock then accessibility is an issue. Equipment failure is always gonna be there, if you were to lose your CL you'd still have your return for circulation.
The only thing I discovered about CL are they are a bit scary. Hole in the btm of the tank, leak = no bueno. To alleviate this concern use Savko bulkheads. Not even the haywards I have compare to them.
IMO pursue a larger CL and supplement with maybe two tunzes. The points concerning powerheads are valid in terms of electrical consumption but aesthetics are what would concern me. You can completely hide a CL; not so with Tunze even if you use the rock then accessibility is an issue. Equipment failure is always gonna be there, if you were to lose your CL you'd still have your return for circulation.
The only thing I discovered about CL are they are a bit scary. Hole in the btm of the tank, leak = no bueno. To alleviate this concern use Savko bulkheads. Not even the haywards I have compare to them.
Wade2185
New member
OK. I am seriously considering going the Wavebox route. I do not know much about them yet. I am wondering if I would install then in my overflows behind the tank and cut a hole in the tank for them. What does everyone think? Do they have to be completly submersed in water to work?
szwab
Premium Member
from my understanding and what I have seen they are not completly submerged. I would think that in the overflow "outside" the tank would work. but as mentioned you will probably need an exention box due to the size and shape of your tank. not sure if that would go on the same side or the opposite end.
Wade2185
New member
Here is a rough scetch I drew up tonight showing what I am thinking as far as the Wavebox and Streams go. I am thinking about having 2 acrylic boxes made that would enclose the waveboxes.
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=162784&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=162784&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500
