Flow for a 785 cube?

sonofgaladriel

sonofgaladriel

Shiny!
It looks like my 72"x36"x48" tall tank will be a bit out of my price range, so I'm going back to my original dream tank of 72"x72"x35", roughtly 785 gallons :) This tank will be partially 'in wall' being that 3 feet will extend past the wall for 3 sided viewing from the game room and the remaining half will be in the 'fish room'.
I'd like some ideas on flow for a mixed reef, predominately softies and anemones for a tank this size. I am planning something totally different than my current 240 cube.
Here's what I'm considering:
I've currently got two Darts running through a 4 way and 8 way OMs for my closed loops. They are working well, but I'm thinking I don't want to be drilling the heck out of this new tank so I may avoid a closed loop altogether. I'd also like to avoid the plumbing hassle this time around.
My idea is to use one of the Darts as the return pump, hooked up to a WavySea plus, providing roughly 3200 to 3600 gph, coming in from the back of the tank. I may split the flow into two regular wavy seas and get twice the random current from the back.
For added random flow, I'm thinking to getting two more 'wavy seas' and hooking Tunze 6100s, maybe 6200s, up to them and placing these in the front top corners facing back towards the reef. This will provide another 6500 to 10,000 gph and good random flow.
Do think this will be enough for softies and anemones? I am really wanting to get that 'natural' sway to the softies that I have missed so much when dealing with SPS.
Any other suggestions would be welcome.
Thanks
Sean
 
I can't comment on flow issues but a half inwall tank seems like a crazy idea- never seen it before! Be sure to post some pics when you get there, I'd love to see how it turns out.
 
I would suggest getting atleast a Hammerhead pump so that you can have a decent turnover and use some Tunze streams to create flow inside the tank.
 
what was the price different between the two? 72"x36"x48" seem small to me then the 72"x72"x35". it seem like the cube will be more arcylic involve to built it.
 
The price difference is about $2000! Its the 1 1/4" material for the 72"x36"x48" that kills it.
The 72"x72"x35" can be made from 3/4" material throughout.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8554661#post8554661 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reef211
what was the price different between the two? 72"x36"x48" seem small to me then the 72"x72"x35". it seem like the cube will be more arcylic involve to built it.
Click to expand...

The price hike is due to the height 35" vs 48"... When you go higher you need to go thicker as well, the thicker the material the more $$$...
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8554803#post8554803 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reef211
do you know how much a 48''x48''x30'' cube go for with the overflow box built in the middle?
Click to expand...

Different companies, different material, different prices... It would be best to pick a few different one and send an inquire to them...
 
so the 240 is not big enough?man that tank is going to be huge!you selling your 240?

seems like 3/4 acrylic is too small for that size tank?i would use 1" minimum just to feel safe about it.
 
Hiya Sean,
I like the idea for 1/2 in-wall - I'm guessing you like the "pop-out" tanks at public aquariums :)
For flow, I;m not much help as I have nt seen the WavySeas in person. But I'd recommend going with 1" for this tank, 3/4" will bow too much and will have too much bracing for my taste.
BTW, I just got back into town last night and saw an email from you, sorry I missed it :(

HTH,
James
 
Thanks for the replies guys! I know Steve's tank very well and it is incredible, but I don't want to copy that. I am going with something totally original.
Ideally, the 6x6x3 would be viewed from all four sides, or at least complete 3 sided viewing, but I just can't find the space for it out in the game room with the pool table and home theater seating. I do have a room that I can partially recess it, still give me some of what I originally had planned but also the benefit of a dedicated fish room for a larger sump system and easier access to all the equipment.
If the thickness needs to be 1" then that's what we'll do. I'm still waiting to hear back on the cost and materials recommendations. I could be mistaken with the 3/4" thickness. My original plan was 30" tall and I know 3/4 would work with that. Maybe the extra 5" now requires upgrading to 1".
James- Please still give me a quote. You have a PM. :)
 
Last edited:
you know, I am actually a big fan of your last cube, I wanted to go replica but with one, maybe two waveboxes, and less closed loop, maybe just 4 total outlets on the back, 2 of them hooked to a an SQWD.

So what if you could not use close loop at all, and hook 2 submersible pumps to 2 SQWD (limited to 1400gph for each SQWD). And use 2 tunze waveboxes.

I am a big fan of tunze waveboxes, seriously they absolutely recreate the motions of the ocean.
 
Thanks Plancton. I asked in the Tunze forum about the 'wavebox' with extensions for a cube tank and it was not really recommended. The waveboxes are designed for long linear, ie rectangular tanks. I guess two of them on the same side of the tank would work well.
 
Would you still use th island overflow as you would in a tank viewable from all sides or would you go for an external overflow on the side that will be in the fish room.

Awesome size tank whatever you decide!
 
Definately external overflow for this tank with it being only 3 sided viewing. My plan with this tank had I been able to place it in the middle of the room for 4 sided viewing was actually an offset center overlow standpipe. This way I could keep the direct center of the tank open for the aquascaping which I think helps with the overall affect of depth and keeps the fish from swimming in circles ;)
I'm still waiting for the final quote on this tank but at least I got approval from my wife to upgrade (as long as I get a good price out of my 240 cube to help pay for the new one :))
 
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