controllers and pumps and wavemakers, oh my

[dpstrand]

I am setting up an 85 gallon (38w x 28d x 20h) rimless tank. Stocking will be mostly zoas/palys and LPS, with a few softies, a few SPS, and a couple clams mixed in, and a ~1" sand bed. I have a nano wavebox with it's standard controller 6091 controller, and am considering adding a 6105. I have two questions:

1. Will a single 6105 be sufficient, or would two 6055 be better, or would I need two 6105?
2. It sounds like the 7096 is getting some nice updates. Can the 7096 control the wavebox and a single or pair of streams simultaneously?

Thanks!

 

[rvitko]

Unless you plan to upgrade to a bigger tank soon or a focus on SPS, 2 6055 is the best addition. A 6055 at full power(24V) covers about 4ft by 18", a 6105 at 18V covers almost 7ft by 2ft and at 12V about 4ft by 2ft. The single 6105 could work at 12V, but the redundancy and ability to change flow directions of 2 6055 is more advantageous. The 7096 can run the Nano wavebox and 2 pumps.

 

[dpstrand]

Since the tank is 26" deep, wouldn't the 18" coverage of the 6055 create dead spots?

 

[rvitko]

The nano wavebox will largely take care of that by stirring up detritus, that settles in the rocks and sand, the pumps will be able to pick it up from there, since the tank is shorter it should reach more due to the bounce back and you will typically place the pumps in the back corners aimed diagonally across the tank.