Flow questions (1.5" Sea Swirl vs. MP 60)?

[Raoul5Duke]

Making purchasing decisions for 360 Gall. DT (96"x36"x24"), primarily SPS & LPS. Based on 20-40x turnover I will need 7,200-14,400 GPH. I plan on using a Reeflo Snapper/Dart Hybrid for the return. I have been looking into the 1.5" Sea Swirls as I think they are an interesting product and it seems to make sense to use the return flow better. I have also heard the MP60s are pretty loud when running 100% so I might prefer to use them at around 60-75%.

My initial thought was to use 2x MP60s on the ends, 2x MP40s on the back wall and finally a 1.5" Sea Swirl on the return end (Left wall return, Right wall overflow). Doing the math at 60% (of max output) for the MPs and assuming 3,000 GPH for the Sea Swirl puts me at 15,840 GPH or 44x turnover (the high end of the 20-40x recommendation).

So, I'm looking for suggestions. Should I hold off on one MP60 and use the 1.5" Sea Swirl? Should I ditch the Sea Swirl and use 4 of the MPs? Or should I use them all?

Any thoughts or experience?

 

[Jettareefer]

I really like the sea swirls it gives you random flow which sps really like. I would consider keeping it in your plans. It's one of my favorite things next to my mp40. Just my .02

 

[sfsuphysics]

It really depends upon where you want to spend your electricity. Using a really large return pump is going to suck up a lot of juice and some people would rather have a more energy efficient flow from in tank pumps like the Vortech.

From a strict flow stand point I'd use nothing but vortechs and not rely on my return pump for any appreciable flow, but that's me. Others like closed loops, or return manifolds just so they don't see as much pump in the tank, However the tradeoff is that it'll take more electricity to move the same amount of water.

Two last things, if you're going to use MP40s on the back make darned sure that the glass/acrylic is not 3/4" thick, while they technically can go that high, it's really pushing it. And don't go chasing numbers like there's some magic flow amount that will make your tank work. If you have a rock structure in the way, then the other side of that rock isn't going to get as much flow, if your corals grow in front of the vortech (and I don't mean directly in front of it) they will choke out the flow elsewhere. I'm more of the mindset that I'll let the rock structure in the tank dictate where pumps should go rather than some idea that symmetrically placed pumps will do a better job.

 

[Bilk]

I have MP40s on a 3/4" acrylic tank and they're fine. Grab and hold with no issues.

 

[Raoul5Duke]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm not relying on the return pump to generate flow, just trying to make better use of it by making it directional (i.e. I would use the same size pump regardless), but I understand your point Mike, each tank is different just wonder what has worked for others as this is my first big tank.

 

[BlueDartReefer]

We run a center sea swirl and two "T" fixed returns off our main Barracuda return plus two MP60's (one on each end) and love the flow. I run the MP60's around 65% to increase longevity and reduce noise. At 100% they can be rather loud as the rest of the tank is nearly dead silent.

 

[Raoul5Duke]

Thanks BlueDart that is helpful. What size sea swirl are you running?

 

[BlueDartReefer]

I believe it's the 1". We had it running on our 90G before upgrading to the 265G. With essentially five return nozzles, none of them give off a ton of flow. The majority of the circulation comes from the MP60's.