Are two 6105's too much flow

[vader88]

Been talking with the guys in the chat channel and want to make sure I'm making the right choice. Currently in the process of a 125g build, standard 72x18x22 tank. My preference is Tunze since I have owned them in the past and like them alot. I also have a Vortech in my nano, but will go with Tunze in this tank.

My plan is two Tunze 6105's on a 7096 controller. Will this be too much flow and blow sand everywhere ? I was recommended to use CarbiSea Special Grade Reef sand since it's grain is bigger to limit the blowing around.

I know I can turn the Tunze down with the controller, but wonder if it wiil be enough of a flow decrease if I decide to go with sugar sized grain sand. The main reason I don't want special grade is it reminds me of the crushed coral debacle of years past that I made, also I'm afraid of coralline growing on it.

I plan to have some burrowing inverts and fish and want to make sure they don't scratch themselves. The tank will be primarily LPS with some SPS sprinkled here and there. The return pump is a Eheim 1262, won't really provide anything but recirculating duties.

Anyone out there with a similar setup and your experiences ? I'm going to go with the chat guys recommendations if this turns out to be the case.

Thanks

Tim

 

[Beaviz]

I am using 2 6105's on my 110g and I think it is just perfect. I am using some KZ sand with a big grain size of 3-5mm.

You could consider modding the pumps with the propeller housing from the 6205's as that would give you a wider flow. I have this on both my pumps and like them much better than my previous Vortech MP40 setup.

 

[rvitko]

I am not a fan of sugar sand, because it seems to stir up, compact and a static charge seems to cause it to cling to everything when it does get stirred up. That is my experience. I think the special grade reef sand is the best in almost all circumstances and is plenty fine. It is much more expensive and I am not sure if it is still available in the US given the bulk and exchange rate but Knop Reef Base was a much smoother substrate, like special grade reef sand that was worn and tumbled. If the sugar sand gets in the pumps it wreaks havoc on them. I think you should be able to get the 6105s to work with placement and controlling the flow. I don't think heavy coralline growth on sand is a real concern, there is sure to be some flecks but it seems to turn often enough to prevent major growths and while this is only my anecdotal experience, I think this grain size is ideal, detritus enters and is digested and processed by critters in the sand and my experience with bare bottom and sugar sand was that unless you felt like running a tank like a hospital and siphoning and scrubbing daily (which is very tough to do with sugar sand and not suck it all out over time) relying on this natural, albeit nitrate producing process resulted in less algae trouble than the detritus tumbleweeds that otherwise developed in recesses.