Help with display water circulation

[Dolmo5000]

Hello COMAS and other locals, I need some help with water circulation in my display tank.

Tank Info:
- 55g long AGA drilled w/ corner overflow (48in long)
- 48in aquaticlife 6 bulb t5 light fixture
- reef octo diablo xs 160 skimmer
- 20g sump, and 10g refugium (actual water volume)
- red sea wavemaker pro
- 2 maxijet 1200
- 3 eheim compact unknown size (old and cant read the label)
Probably 1000 series (250 gph)
- Danner mag 7 return pump (4.5 ft head loss) (around 450 gph after loss)

I have recently upgraded the lights and skimmer to above and gotten into sps and have a clam (thanks to many of you guys!!), but still havent gotten to the water flow and dosing systems. This thread will focus on water flow. The pics below show my aquarium as it currently sits. I will be purchasing new powerhead/s in the next month or so and would like to figure out just what I need as early as possible to know what financial investment im in for. Although I know that some people do not like to follow the 30-50x tank volume rule for sps, I think that it is probably at least good for a rule of thumb. That would put me 1650-2750 gph. I have read lots and lots of threads and articles on water flow but just don't feel secure in deciding what I should do. I know that to a certain extent this comes down to what your budget is and personal preference, so I know I'm asking for essentially personal opinions. Also, I'm not wealthy by any means (grad student), but saving and purchasing nice items that perform better and last longer is generally my MO. Price is not really an end all be all aspect of this. OK, here are my questions. If you have anything else to mention, please don't hesitate to do so.

1. What end of the gph range should I shoot for, lower 1650 or higher 2750 if I want to keep mostly sps, but a few lps or lower flow species on the bottom of the tank?

2. For those with ecotech vortech experience, do you believe that they are worth the substantially added price tag or are Tunze powerheads a better value? Also, would you suggest 2 mp10's or 1 mp40?

3. If I were to forgo the vortech powerheads and go with Tunze for example, should I keep the red sea wavemaker pro?

4. If I didn't ask the right questions and you just want to offer your opinion of what I should put in the tank, please please please do so.

Thank you guys very much in advance. I know there are many threads on this topic, thank you for taking the time to respond to another one.

 

[FILTERDAQUATICS]

1. What end of the gph range should I shoot for, lower 1650 or higher 2750 if I want to keep mostly sps, but a few lps or lower flow species on the bottom of the tank?

2. For those with ecotech vortech experience, do you believe that they are worth the substantially added price tag or are Tunze powerheads a better value? Also, would you suggest 2 mp10's or 1 mp40?

3. If I were to forgo the vortech powerheads and go with Tunze for example, should I keep the red sea wavemaker pro?

4. If I didn't ask the right questions and you just want to offer your opinion of what I should put in the tank, please please please do so.

Response
1. I would think anywhere in that range would offer success but the higher end of those numbers will also keep the tank cleaner by keeping deitrus in suspension allowing your filtration to keep things removed better allowing for a cleaner tank

2. Ecotechs are worth the money they keep all heat outside the tank have many diffrent options for random flow and even offer the battery backup feature which may save the tank some day in the case of a power failure. Tunze controllable pwerheads are also a good value and I do like the fact they are directional meaning you can point them rather than the vortechs which only point strait out from their mounting point. For your tank two 2 mp10s will allow for more random flow over just one mp40.

3. if either tunze or vortechs are purchased I would consider selling the red sea setup

4. I think your right on track with either of these. Both are great products and do what their suppose to.

 

[chaderic26]

If you have the cash I vote for Vortech. They are a lot of fun to play with and do a great job.

One MP40 would be my choice if there could be an upgrade on tank size down the road at all. It will handle that tank easily.

Tunze also makes great products so either way you will be set. I have been happy with all there products so far. High quality and support for both companies.

 

[kissman]

i have a Hydor wavemaker and running 2 Hydor 2's I am going to upgrade 1 powerhead next week to a Hydor 3 and see how that is then probably get a Hydor 3 for the other side on my 55g

 

[Dolmo5000]

Thank you guys very much for the replies to my questions. Filteredaquatics, i like the idea of 2 mp10's, one on each side of the tank. Chaderic26, very good point about the prospect of going larger in the future. I have heard that mp40's can pull up sand from the bottom of the tank very easily. It worries me, any thoughts? Kissman, how long have you had the hydor wavemaker? Do you think the equipment is durable and lasting? Thanks for the replies again guys.

Richard W Dolman M.S.
Tapatalk

 

[rezaktp]

You do not need to run the 40's full blast , throttle them back just so they do not pull any sand up.

 

[kissman]

Thank you guys very much for the replies to my questions. Filteredaquatics, i like the idea of 2 mp10's, one on each side of the tank. Chaderic26, very good point about the prospect of going larger in the future. I have heard that mp40's can pull up sand from the bottom of the tank very easily. It worries me, any thoughts? Kissman, how long have you had the hydor wavemaker? Do you think the equipment is durable and lasting? Thanks for the replies again guys.

Richard W Dolman M.S.
Tapatalk

I love the Hydor Wavemaker been running for 2 years. I have started to hear a little noise in the fan after I cut it off and back on. I email Hydor and they sent me a new fan free of charge. If I were you i would buy the mp10's. if you do please let me know how they are I would love to upgrade to them

 

[Dolmo5000]

Kissman, thanks for the suggestion. I think that it will either be 2 mp10's or 1 mp40. I guess? Not as many options as I would like to have, but what can you do? Thanks again!

Richard W Dolman M.S.
Tapatalk

 

[Dolmo5000]

Well, I think I have decided on the 2 mp10's and will if all goes as planned have the money ready just before the MACNA meeting in Dallas. Does anyone know if they have good discounts at the meeting? I would also like to finally pull the trigger on a dosing or control system at the meeting but don't know if I will have the money. I would think that the meeting would be a good place to purchase the items for a number of reasons. Thanks for everyones imput.

 

[kissman]

Please keep me posted! Since i have hydor controller 2 i am gonna replace my hydors with the bigger hydor 4's and then i think i may save to buy 2 MP10's for my 55g. So please let me know how they are

 

[bobkill]

I vote mp40 that way if u ever up grade u would need new power heads - it won't suck up sand long if it does - it had a hum tho esc in nutrient export mode - sooo kind of noisy

 

[cjilge]

2 is better than 1 mp10 or 40. You can easily dial back the mp40. I run 2 mp40's on my 150 and it isnt enough. I also have a koralia 4 and the return pump running. either vortech's or tunze are both very good choices. 2 power heads either way a must so you dont have dead spots. The vortech do create a massive undertow which is pretty cool and you can play with the settings and programming to meet your needs.

 

[FILTERDAQUATICS]

Well, I think I have decided on the 2 mp10's and will if all goes as planned have the money ready just before the MACNA meeting in Dallas. Does anyone know if they have good discounts at the meeting? I would also like to finally pull the trigger on a dosing or control system at the meeting but don't know if I will have the money. I would think that the meeting would be a good place to purchase the items for a number of reasons. Thanks for everyones imput.

Ecotech has a very strictly enforced MAP policy meaning no one can sell them less than the MAP price set by ecotech we are not even allowed to put them on sale even if every thing in the store is on sale. Also ecotech will have a booth setup at MACNA but will not be selling them directly. Bubble Magus is the way to go on the dosing pumps/contoller all in one ubit best price for what you get.

 

[Dolmo5000]

Thanks filter, i was looking at the bubble magus set up. I dont know if i understand about the meeting. I will or will not be able to purchase these items at the meeting? I know the ecotech booth won't sell, but are there others there that will?

Richard W Dolman M.S.
Tapatalk

 

[bobkill]

He was just saying ecotech sets a price to everyone that sells there jazz and you cannot
Go below that or they won't allow you to sell products - so basically there is never a crazy sale price unless it is used - But get the 40!