Flow recommendation

[Navyblue]

The tank dimension is 4x2x2' (120G). This is how the tank and rock work look like:

Requirement:
- the tank is intended to be an SPS only tank
- there should be enough flow on all the rocks that I can place SPS on it
- I don't want detritus settling on the sand bed
- I don't want to have water jets digging the sand bed

What I have:
- 6060
- 6065
- 7095 multicontroller (I have no use for it)

Pump placement constraint:
- on the extreme left back, I only have a 1.5" wide strip as there is an external overflow box at the back, there isn't enough space for magnet mounting
- under the overflow teeth, there is an external overflow box at the back, making it unsuitable for magnet mounting
- on the extreme right back, there is return plumbing so the 2 or so can't be used for magnet mounting.

I think I could use more flow for what I have planned. Which pump(s) do you recommend? How do you suggest I place it? I was thinking about a single 6105 or a pair of 6055. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thanks for reading.

 

[rvitko]

I think the 6055's would be underpowered for a 120 SPS. Keep in mind both halves of the mag holder can be submerged so they could be mounted on the overflow. My best suggestion would be a 6105, it would probably have to be run at reduced power from the top end and a 6206 Nano wavebox.

 

[Navyblue]

The magnet inside the overflow box would break up the flow down the glass and cause splashing and noise. (Yes I'm fussy ) But I would only do it though if there are no alternative.

The 6060 mounted on the right glass can actually dig a hole in the opposite side of the tank if pointed down enough. I guess my tank is relatively obstruction free. So I am thinking the 6105 would have to be dialed down to less than half the power if pointed down? Initially I was thinking of having the 6105 mounted near the bottom and have it blow up the rock slope, that way I might be able to get away with a higher flow setting without digging the sand. But my concern would be the single 6105 is probably not able to cover the whole slope, thus I considered the 2 x 6055.

The Nano wavebox suggestion is interesting. I initially looked at the 6215 wavebox, but I have doubt about its size and possible noise issue in the overflow box. The Nano wavebox is less than half as big and might work in the size department. But would it cause lots of noise in the overflow box? Is it possible to dial it down till it has no noise and yet still effective?

If the wavebox is providing the oscillating flow, is the controllable 6105 still necessary? If I can I make do with a non controllable 6065/6085/6125 that would be something to consider. I don't really have to use the multi controller if I don't really need it.

 

[Navyblue]

Btw, do I get any advantage by getting the 6215 over the 6206, especially considering that I want minimal noise?

 

[rvitko]

On this size tank I don't see a big advantage between the 6215 and 6206, on a longer tank or wider tank there would be a reason to upgrade, the 6206 is generally quieter.

With the large size of the overflow I doubt there would be much noise, especially with a Durso pipe.

The new pumps can be angled upwards as well, the main advantage of the controllable pumps is the flexability, just that you can increase or decrease the flow as needed. However, there is nothing wrong with using the 6060's or 6065's, but the added flexability is a nice feature as well as alternating the direction of the flow. The Stream rocks may be the best mounting option in this case.

 

[Navyblue]

Thanks Roger.

I think I'll very likely get the 6105. But since I only have one controllable unit, at best I can only ramp it up and down and I won't be getting the alternating flow. Say I am placing it on the right side of the back wall about half the tank height pointing horizontally across the tank . For this specific scenario, would I be served just as well with a 6125?

The price difference isn't that much though, but I get the impression that the non controllable models would last longer than the controllable models. If the pump is repeatedly switched on and off through the controller in short interval, would it reduce the lifespan of the pump?

As for the nano wavebox, what I meant was, since the wavebox is doing the job of the alternating flow, would it further reduce the advantage of a 6105 over the 6125?

 

[rvitko]

The non controllables are actually more durable as they lack electronics, just by virtue of being simple they will probably last longer. Rapid switching off and on will kill a non controllable though and the only draw back to a controllable is calcium builds up faster.

I would agree, it would make it acceptable to have non controllable pumps, but in the big picture of future plans and upgrades most people end up wishing they had the controllable models, but it doesn't mean it is a necessity.

 

[Navyblue]

Btw, does the 6125 have a significantly wider flow pattern than 6105 considering that it has a larger outlet? How about the 6055 vs the 6065 since the former is physically smaller?

And how soon would the new 6105 that comes with the dampened holder hit the market?

Thanks.

 

[rvitko]

We should start seeing the new holder next week. The last 10 6205's we got had them and these were the first. The 6125 has the 6205.130 so compared to a 6105 at full speed which is equivalent in gph the flow pattern is about 3ft by 4.5ft vs 2ft by 7ft.

 

[Navyblue]

Can the 6205.130 or the 6305.130 be used with the 6105?

My water level is only 1" from the tank rim, and I'd like to keep the wave on the surface to and noise to minimum. How high does the wave need to be to have noticeable polyp sway?

 

[rvitko]

3/4" is the minimum wave height I would recommend, much less is not very effective and doesn't add much flow. 6205.130 and 6305.130 will fit on a 6105.

 

[Navyblue]

Thanks Roger.