figuring out flow

[Marc Daniels]

If your MJ's are new, I would replace them with 900's. There isn't a big difference in flow going from 900 to 1200, but there is a huge difference in power consumption.
900 = 230gph @ 8.5w

1200 = 290gph @ 20w

You could run 4.7 (almost 5) of the 900's at the same power consumption as the two 1200's. Only having two MJ at opposing ends and a SW on the return really won't provide much, if any. flow down among and within the rockscape.

If you have to use powerheads, I would swap out the 1200's for 900's, and plan on adding another pair as soon as you can. Having four 900's and a Seaswirl would give a decent amount of randomized flow.

 

[Pico1]

I'm more worried about having the tank look clutter free than power consumption. I think you posted before reading my post just above yours.

 

[Marc Daniels]

leave the top output be for surface aggitation

Remember that you don't want too much surface aggitation. You want that layer of protein to come to the top so that it can be skimmed by the overflow and sent down to your protein skimmer in the sump. If you have too much surface agitation you just keep those proteins suspended in the water column.

As long as the top of the tank isn't tightly enclosed you should get plenty of gas exchange just by the movement of the water.

 

[Pico1]

Ok, I'll just do a flare nozzle pointing down. Everything else sound good? The tank is topless with a custom canopy w/ 2 fans and an open back. Anyone reccomend a submersible pump around 800-900 GPH?

 

[Marc Daniels]

I'm more worried about having the tank look clutter free than power consumption.

Easy to say when you're not paying the SMUD bill ;-).

Remember that power consumption also relates to heat being generated by the pumps. You could also hide additional pumps within the rockscape.

I see a lot of people that go on the low end of the flow scale because they only have softies, etc. A lot of these "lower light" corals are not necessarily "lower flow" corals. Many of them use a mucous film to help capture prey as small as bacteria, and you need enough flow so that when the coral sloughs this old coat off the flow is strong enough to take it away. A lot of LPS also like a lot of flow...they like to have a large volume of water moving around them, just not in a concentrated stream.

 

[Marc Daniels]

A Mag 9.5 would give you 800gph at 4' HP.

 

[Pico1]

well the 1200's aren't new anyways. Sould I have another MJ 900 or 2 in the rockwork? I also feel like by adding more pumps I'm increasing the electricity in the water making the fish more uncomfortable. I have my return pump, 3 MJ 1200s, 2 in the water one powering the skimmer, and a heater all in the water. It seems like it would be more expensive to replace the current MJ 1200s with MJ 900s than to pay the coupl bucks more a month in the electric bill. The tank will only be up for 3 more years max. anyways since I'll be going to college soon. So the mag 9.5 is a good quality, quiet pump? Thanks for all the help.

 

[Marc Daniels]

I've used the smaller mags for returns in the past and they have been just fine.

I would do what you could to afd more flow. If your only option is powerheads, then go with more little ones or just bigger GPH ones like the Seio or Tunze.

 

[Pico1]

I had a seio and didn't like it too much since it was so big/bulky and the intake was so strong it killed 2 of my chromis and when I turned the intake to make it less powerful it wasn't much more flow than a MJ. I may get 2 of the nano tunzies when they come out to replace the MJs.

 

[wombat2]

I used to have a custom 10 gallon with 4 MJ 600s hidden behind a wall on a wavemaker. It still didn't seem like enough flow to me. If this tank were mine I would seriously consider investing in one nice external pump and installing a closed loop. It will cost a bit but I think you'll be much much happier in the long run.

 

[Pico1]

Know any good articles on how to make a closed loop?

 

[Pico1]

Well I found out that the tunze nanostreams will be coming out in september. I think I'll save my money and stick with the MJ 1200's for now and replace my return with a mag 9.5. Then I'll get 2 tunze nanostreams in September and have them at oppsite ends pointing at eachother.

 

[Pico1]

for my return should I go with a quiet one 4000HH @ 980 GPH or a mag 9.5 @ 950 GPH?

 

[Marc Daniels]

Both are fine.

 

[Pico1]

Thanks.

 

[Pico1]

I've been reasearching the tunze nanostream 6025. It's 660 GPH and is going to cost $65 and will be coming out in september. Does this look good?

[/IMG]

 

[Justin74]

You can still put the PH's on oppisite sides next to the seaswirl in the right corner. Just off set the hieghth positioning of the powerhead next to the swirl so it sits lower than the swirl.

Its all pretty when its on paper but you gotta do what you gotta do when you have established rockwork that doesnt coincide with the sketch. Id try all of the above if possible and see what works better assuming any rockwork may be blocking or refracting too much.

-Justin

 

[Pico1]

Justin, I know what your saying but I've got plenty of room on the corners and up top for the equipment. You can see I currently have the 2 MJ in oppsite ends with the hydor flo outlets and my return right/center.

[/IMG]

 

[Pico1]

until I get the tunze nanostreams do you think it would be better to have the seaswirl in the right corner with the MJ under it or the seaswirl center/right? Either way the MJ 1200s will be at oppsite ends pointing at eachother. TIA.

 

[Teremei]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7744608#post7744608 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pico1
until I get the tunze nanostreams do you think it would be better to have the seaswirl in the right corner with the MJ under it or the seaswirl center/right? Either way the MJ 1200s will be at oppsite ends pointing at eachother. TIA.

You sure have better flow than my first tank (55). How much did the seaswirl run you? I don't like them personally. Have you looked into the rotating hydor flow? For $10 each. But if you've already got the seaswirl then just forget about it.

You made the right choice with the nanostreams. I'm setting up my 125 and currently have my 1110 GPH return flow and 1 SEIO 1100GPH. I'm going to get 2 of those tunzes on opposite ends of the tank when the come out. And just deal with the low flow until then.