Best Tunze for Mixed Reef 180 Gallon

[Medicine Man]

Hello, I have been researching some of the Tunze Streams and the Wavebox. I own a 180 gallon Oceanic Reef Ready (72x30x25) with 2 Overflows that is mostly LPS and SPS. Can you even use a wavebox with overflows in an Oceanic Tank? The way the corals are set up is mostly SPS toward the top with LPS and softies mixed in the middle and bottom. What type of Streams, Wavebox, Controller would you recommend for this type of reef tank? Thank you for the help!

 

[rvitko]

You can use a wavebox, their is some splash noise from the overflows and the wave is shortened a bit but it still works. It is best to use a durso pipe overflow for this reason. The way a friend set up his tank (same except only SPS) was 1 6100 and one wavebox. I would need more info though on what corals you will keep to really recommend something. Will their be any Euphyllias?

 

[Medicine Man]

Yes, I have a large torch coral, medium sized hammer and a small frogspawn. My wife loves Euphyllias. I also have 3 large gorgonias 1 alveopora, 2 clams, a large open brain, medium bubble coral, large gold sarcophyton, 1 trumpet coral and about 8-9 different SPS corals (mostly acroporas) and a good sized Capricornus. Also among the stocking list is several different zooanthids. I know its hard to judge what someone elses flow should be like without seeing the tank. Thanks again for the advice!

 

[rvitko]

In that case, my opinion is that 2 6000's and a multicontroller should be the base flow. You could add a wavebox as well.

 

[FSOL]

I just added my 2x6100s w/ the 7095 multicontroller. I've been rearranging my rocks and corals since yesterday trying to get the softies/LPS at the bottom.

There's a lot of flow, even at low settings and in pulse mode. My frogspawn and hammers are really shaking around, but that's the best I can do at this point. I'll have to wait and see what happens when lights come on and they open up fully.

One question that I have is about fish. My fish are getting a good workout w/ this setup. My blue chromis damsels are loving it, they get in front of the flow and just cruise in one place.

The tang and angel seem to be having a tough time getting used to it. They'll try to pick stuff off the rocks and will kinda be pushed back.

So, overall, is this high flow ok for the fish or will they stress out?

 

[Chappy]

Medicine Man, when you get it figured out, update this thread. I am about to do the same thing for a 180 mixed tank. It's nice when someone is going to try out what you are thinking about doing, lol.

Anyway, I was going to do the tunzes over the closed loop. All the plumbing seems like too much work and it gets expensive.

 

[rvitko]

The fish experience at least this much flow in the wild, they get used to it. The LPS and Softies that are lower flow will work best if you place them on the other side of a rock island that can shield them from flow.

 

[FSOL]

Do you guys leave the same settings the whole time, or do you once in a while play around and change settings just to have variety of flow in the tank?

Also, is "night mode" really necessary for the fish to rest? I rather leave the tunzes on pulse mode all day, but some people turn them down to night mode at night.

 

[rvitko]

Night mode is just to simulate the natural phenomena of the seas calming at night, with the sun set and high tide the seas calm.

 

[Medicine Man]

Roger, Had to tell you that I bought two 6100's and the 7095 controller. Installed everything Sunday and have to say that I am REALLY impressed! Couple of questions though. What is the best settings to achieve the most natrural back and forth motion like in the ocean? Also, what position/location do you prefer in the tank? I went with the 6100's because of how controllable they can be with the 7095 even though you recommended 6000's. I just wanted to buy something I wouldn't want to replace or upgrade. Thanks again for the help!!

 

[rvitko]

I would use Interval 2, i would set a 6hr interval pulsing the pumps 30 to 100% at 3 seconds. The best generic recommendation is one pump in each back corner aimed to the front center but this depends on the placemment of corals and live rock.