a new clownfish/anemone system

[Ron Popeil]

im going to be in the process of tearing down my 120 gallon and replacing it with a 50 gallon cube (24x24x24) and a 45 gallon cube (24x24x18). the two tanks will be combined with the same sump im using now, as well as the 75 gallon refugium. the 50 gallon will contain soley my nigripes and magnifica anemones and the 45 will house just a haddoni and chrysopterus pair.

my first set of questions are: if i use a reeflo dart as my sump return pump, split it to go out through a 1" sea swirl on each tank, will it provide enough flow in each tank to satisfy the circulation requirements of each anemone? if there is no other source of circulation, as in no closed loop, just rotating sea swirl with 1500 gph or so coming out, will that provide enough random and intense flow for a ritteri (will the water movement be able to bounce off the glass 2 feet from it, return and bounce off another pane and randomize) or what should i expect to happen? likewise, will this much flow in the haddoni tank be too much? and will it just push all the sand away from the front pane? should i opt for a lower flow return, and then use some other form of additional water circulation? (powerheads, etc, ugh.)

my second question is in regards to the haddoni/ritteri combo. ive tried it in my 120 system before with no success. im wondering, since the two systems will be seperate from each other, to an extent, is there a chance this will succeed? or am i to expect the same assumed chemical battles and again loose the haddoni?

thanks for the help.

 

[foob]

I'm interested to know how to tell the ritteri caused the haddoni's death. Could it be just the haddoni was sick/injured?

Any observables? I'm thinking of adding another anemone.

 

[Ron Popeil]

ive tried a few haddoni carpets, all that appeared very healthy, tight mouths, ate, healthy inflated appearance. none of them settled however, and would refuse to attach. and within two weeks they would begin to go downhill. while i cant say the ritteris are directly responsible, as ive seen the combo before in another members tank....but its something i cant explain otherwise.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Ron- put a ball valve on the return to the Haddoni set up so you can keep the turnover in the mag tank higher. I think you can do this- just make sure to use a good skimmer, GAC and do regular water changes.

 

[foob]

The flow is fine. I've noticed my haddoni and ritteri don't really like that much flow. I think they want water to move to get clean water, but it doesn't need to be strong/harsh. After all, they aren't corals that filter feed and their tissue is soft compared to SPS.

 

[Ron Popeil]

the equipment i have for under the tanks should be more than adequet. i have a 50 gallon sump with about 30 gallons of water in it, a G4 skimmer, and a 75 gallon refugium.

the only tricky part to this system is getting the right pump, the right flow and how to make it all work. i appreciate the ideas. im quite sure my ritteri will love being blasted, as its situated directly beneath the T4 i have now, but ive never had a haddoni before, so im unsure of just how much flow ill need in that specific tank, and if one single sea swirl and 1500 or so GPH will be sufficient for the tanks flow....without pushing the sand away in certain areas.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

IME Haddon's anemone prefers low water movement and mags (as you already know) like it brisk.

 

[Ron Popeil]

so gary or anyone, do you think if i used a reeflo dart (3600 gph) with a T, and using a ball valve controlled most of the flow going to the magnifica tank (say 70%) and the flow coming into both tanks (theyll be side by side) from a 1" sea swirl, that would satisfy all my water movement needs? would there be enough randomized flow for the magnifica?

ultimately, i dont want powerheads in the tank, and if i can do this without having an additional closed loop system itd be glorious....

what do you think? would it work with just a single source of water flow for each tank?

 

[foob]

With a sea swirl I'm sure it's fine.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

I didn't see how much head your pump will be working against, but (unless it's huge) you should be fine without powerheads.

 

[Ron Popeil]

the pump will be situated in the stand, working about 4 to 5 feet. up into the tanks.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

You should be golden, Ron...

 

[Ron Popeil]

sweet. then im very excited for this new system.

im exceptionally excited to have a tank with just a large green haddoni carpet all by itself in the sand with just a pair of chrysopterus clowns. and right next to this, a pillar of rock topped with a ritteri anemone and a pair of nigripes.

oh yes.

 

[Ron Popeil]

a few new questions as far as overflow design goes. with approximately 1800 gph into each tank, ill be using the standard internal corner overflow box. however:

- what size diameter hole to drill on the bottom/size bulkhead to use?
- what dimension box to place inside?
- will the depth of the teeth matter as far as flow goes at the top of the box?

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

I'm sure you saw the RC drain size calculator, Ron:

http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/drain.php

Remember to factor in the inside diameter of your bulkhead(s) when calculating flow and drilling glass.

If you have linear overflows the recommended length in each aquarium for 1800GPH is going to be around 25" - 30". A 12" x 12" corner overflow box would be about the minimum size. This is going to cause space problems in a 24" x 24" size aquarium containing a large anemone. You might want to consider larger aquariums- or less GPH.
The depth and spacing of overflow teeth will affect water surface level.

 

[Ron Popeil]

hrm. this is disappointing news gary. more thought is needed. thank you again for your help.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Ron- perhaps you can incorporate a different type of overflow. Research "external overflows", "coast to coast", and "Calfo" overflow designs. There are options other than corner overflows.

 

[kyreefer1]

What about a "Gutter " type overflow??

 

[Ron Popeil]

once i get this overflow situation taken care of...these are what get their own tank.

 

[reverendmaynard]

It seems you're discovering some of the reasons that most tanks are not circulated by the sump return alone. 30x tank volume/hour is just too much for an apropriately sized overflow, and that's just the first obstacle you've run into. IMO, you should stop now, instead of discovering a reason you didn't plan for AFTER you've got the whole thing setup. How much flow do yu have going through that sump now?

3-5x tank volume/hour to the sump is usually recommended. I would then use a closed loop for additional flow. If the tank is drilled apropriately, you should be able to incorporate a CL system that's virtually invisible in the tank.