Advice about optimizing flow on a 230 gallon reef

[richw]

I have a 230 reef tank -- 72 x24x30. I have a healthy assortment of soft corals and anenomes in my tank. Circulation is driven by two sea-swirls (at opposite ends of the tank in the back) returning water from my sump and refugium that are located in the room beneath my tank. Over the past 6 months, I have developed a cyno problem in the front bottom half of the tank.

Clearly, the current from the sea swirls is not sufficiently bouncing off of the front glass to hit the lower potion of the tank. I am considering the following options to improve the overall flow of the tank.

1. A Vortech on the side panel blowing across the length of the tank.
2. A closed loop system with the output split into 4 ways angled downward at different locations in the tank.
3. A closed loop system with 4 way output supported by an OM or similar device.

I've done my homework but have reached an impasse. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mcliffy2]

Since this tank is already set up, I think the vortech is a no brainer. To really do a closed loop right, youll need to be drilling...for that sized tank Id get two of them and put them at opposite ends of the tank.

 

[richw]

I already have an unused bulk-head that I can use with little effort. It was originally supposed to drain into the sump but I decided to only go with one line.

 

[danskim]

I would still put my vote in for a vortech also.

 

[tbone28]

Tunze 6201's

 

[richw]

New question -- anyone use a Vortech on the side to cause lenghwise flow?

New question -- anyone use a Vortech on the side to cause lenghwise flow?

I'm waffling on this one...

Anyone mount their Vortech on the side? I'm concerned about too much current on the stuff closest to the output.

 

[tbone28]

do you have an acrylic or glass tank? There's a thread about Vortechs causing damage to acrylic tanks.

 

[superedge88]

4 or 5 maxijet 1200 pumps with high flow sureflow mods would kick butt on that tank, and not cost a whole lot either. That's the ultra cheap high flow option (and what would fit my personal budget well though yours may be a higher budget)

 

[richw]

Tank is glass.

 

[Kannin]

I say 2 Koralia 4's on the side panels in the upper fron corners aimed... to intersect at the lower middle of the tank. Less than $100.

 

[ycnibrc]

one thing about the Vortech that I like is you don't have to deal with the wire so you can mount it as low as you want without worry how to hide the wire that come with other power head. Actually I think vortech is the best pump to deal with bottom flow since it has a wide disperse and no wire to hide.

You didn't mention about substrate?If you have sand then you need to worry about sand storm.

 

[kingsland]

Koralia's will not have enough flow in a 230 gal tank. My maxi mod 1200s weren't enough flow either. I love the Vortechs! I have two, one mounted on each end of my 220. No wires, no hanger brackets and a small footprint compared to Tunze. The Vortechs just have a nice clean look in the tank with the added benefit of adjustable flow rates by turning a knob.

 

[richw]

I'm going with 2 Koralia 4 (one on each end) and a Koralia 3 in the middle facing the front glass. The deciding factor was concern about the sheer volume of water hitting the coral on the side of the tank where the pump is going. I will let everyone know about how it works.

Thanks for the input.

 

[thi7b]

I did have 4 koralia #4 in my 125gal. I still have cyano on the sand bed. Then I decided on getting one vortech to try out to see any different. I went w/ 1 #4 and a vortech. It clear up my cyano in 3 day. After I saw the improvement in them I decided to buy another one. Now I have 2 vortech on each side. I don't have anymore cyano on the sand bed. I ended up taking all the koralia #4 out.