Deep tank water flow?

[uglybetty]

I searched and found plenty of discussions about correct turnover rates, laminar, surge, and turbulent flow ideas and all of the sticks about closed loop systems but nothing about the specifics of proper water movement in a deep display.

I'm planning a tank right now that will be 36" deep (fowlr) and in the 600 gallon range once it is all done.

I plan on about 3600 to 4000 gph of overflow to the sump and a couple of separate closed loop systems with an oceans motions manifold for each. I've also considered using gyre devices.

My biggest concern is keeping the water moving at all levels of the tank so that I get no dead spots and waste doesnt accumulate in the sand bed or in the live rock because the water doesn't move as much. As it would higher up in the water column.

I really want to make sure that whatever is in the lower tank area gets stirred up so that it can make its way to the surface and get skimmed off into the overflows and the sump.

I'd rather overdo water flow as I plan on some big messy fish so I'm thinking something in the range of 40x total turnover.

I'd love input as to a possibilities and what to try and create with flow pattern. The tank itself is a custom L- shaped tank that I'm replacing my bar with. I'll try and get a schematic up soon.

 

[golferbud101691]

if you're already going to do a closed loop. why not drill the bottom for bulkheads and run a closed loop system through the bottom to keep everything on the bottom half moving? Everything ive heard about the gyre has been 50-50. plus with closed loop, no chords in the tank and the loc line can be painted to blend in with your rock.

oh and btw, without a closed loop system, L shaped tank are a real pain to get good consistent flow. since its going to be a flowr, you wont need oscillating(reef) flow so that's good!

and if you want, you could throw a mp 60 somewhere to clean up at the turn of a dial.

 

[Sounds Fishy]

What type of fish are you going to stock in your aquarium?You mentioned they will be big and messy..

 

[uglybetty]

I think that may be the answer. I Planned on running 4x 2inch bulkheads with 2 bulkheads feeding into 2 separate lincorp 1/2 hp wavemaster II's being returned through 2 oceans motions manifolds for 8 total return pipes on just those 2 closed loop systems. Maybe add another 1/2 horsepower one for the bottom area of the tank with another oceans motions manifold? That would give me 12 return heads and between the sump turnover and the display near 20,000 gallons of flow which is over 30x turnover. thoughts?

 

[uglybetty]

What type of fish are you going to stock in your aquarium?You mentioned they will be big and messy..

3x volitans lionfish
1x Queen Angelfish
1x maculosus Angelfish
1x porcupine pufferfish
1x purple tang
1x blond naso tang

Maybe a couple of wrasses like a klunzingers wrasse and blueface wrasse.

Also considered a snowflake eel but want everyone to have decent space. All is subject to change as needed.

 

[Sounds Fishy]

That is a nice list.I love Lionfish ...Also had a 3 foot snowflake,and really enjoyed having him,but he stopped eating one day.....

 

[uglybetty]

I honestly want a dragon moray but am afraid he'd eat everything else in the tank

 

[uglybetty]

As you can see though....messy fish. Do you think the plan I posted above would work?

 

[golferbud101691]

I think that may be the answer. I Planned on running 4x 2inch bulkheads with 2 bulkheads feeding into 2 separate lincorp 1/2 hp wavemaster II's being returned through 2 oceans motions manifolds for 8 total return pipes on just those 2 closed loop systems. Maybe add another 1/2 horsepower one for the bottom area of the tank with another oceans motions manifold? That would give me 12 return heads and between the sump turnover and the display near 20,000 gallons of flow which is over 30x turnover. thoughts?

What I would do is plumb it all together and add valves everywhere so you can really dial the flow. Do a 1hp pump so you know you're good there and then direct water where you want it for the closed loop and return. that way you can have one extra pump on hand if there is ever a failure. If you have 2 .5hp pumps, it would work, but I wouldn't do it that way. Apply the kiss method. lol

 

[uglybetty]

I like that idea!! I'll check into pumps of that size.

 

[uglybetty]

I could use a wave II high speed 1hp at 9600 gph and split it up or for $30 more do a 1.5 hp pump rated at 10650 gph and split it up.

The high speed models are made for pressure which I'd imagine I'll have with a single 2 inch outlet . Even if it branches into multiple return nozzles

 

[Sounds Fishy]

I was going to suggest a small boat motor,but ,Golferbud , has a better solution.

 

[Sounds Fishy]

I honestly want a dragon moray but am afraid he'd eat everything else in the tank

Those Dragon morays are super expensive up here, between 600-1000 dollars.

 

[uglybetty]

Those Dragon morays are super expensive up here, between 600-1000 dollars.

I'd honestly be ok with that if I was sure it wouldn't snap my other fish in half.

I also considered a tesselata eel at first but they get too big and I want to do this right the first time.

 

[golferbud101691]

I would suggest 6000 going through the sump and about 10-12 going through the display. rock, sand, and head pressure will diminish some of that. 10x through the sump will be best because you want water contact with your filtration elements since your fish are going to be so messy. As far as pumps go, theres only one company i recommend, Iwaki. Specifically the Japanese versions, but the new american versions have decent reviews. You could get two different sizes for the overflow/return and closed loop, then get an extra overflow/return to use in case of a failure of either..or get a cheap pump to keep you going in the case of failure. Any company you decide to go with, I would get at least one spare if you are going to be putting alot of $$$ into fish. You are going to spend some money on valves during this operation, but it will totally be worth it.

 

[uglybetty]

I was considering a big reeflo return pump and a separate closed loop pump. I would order more than one of course in case of failure. I plan on around 300 gallons of sump running a big lifereef vs-72 recirculating skimmer with dual mazzei venturis. I also plan on a Uv sterilizer, and probably 3 BRS ROX carbon reactors. Flow wise it would go as follows:

Display->100 gallon sump with 4x filter socks with filter floss. Uv sterilizer will be plumbed off of this sump as well and will go to ->secondary sump (probably 75 gallons) with 3x reactors->3rd sump with protein skimmer plumbed off and returning to 2nd sump as well as plumbing to the return pump that goes back to the display. I'd also like to do ozone injection.

As for valves, I'm not worried about the cost as long as things are planned out properly and efficiently and will accomplish my goals without having to spend money again to fix something I should have thought about the first time.

I have time and patients with planning and assembling the components of this monster.

 

[golferbud101691]

2 1.5's should be ok then if you're goning to plumb everything off the return. That would be the most efficient way of doing it. You're 90% ahead of everyone with having the patience in putting everything together right. I would triple check your gph for your reactor, skimmer, and uv just to be sure 1.5 will be enough. If there is going to be much head pressure, it may not be. I'm not familiar with that skimmer so I can't comment on how much water/air it needs.

 

[uglybetty]

2 1.5's should be ok then if you're goning to plumb everything off the return. That would be the most efficient way of doing it. You're 90% ahead of everyone with having the patience in putting everything together right. I would triple check your gph for your reactor, skimmer, and uv just to be sure 1.5 will be enough. If there is going to be much head pressure, it may not be. I'm not familiar with that skimmer so I can't comment on how much water/air it needs.

Skimmer is external 72" tall number and will have it's own dedicated pump.