How to best create good flow?

[Alicia Slater]

I had the best of intentions of adding a Tunze Wavebox, only to discover the water level in my tank is too high for waves - unless I want salt water all over my new carpet - so I'm deciding on which powerheads to go for.

Tossing up between Vortechs and Tunze.

Your thoughts on how many / position / which to buy for my tank would be greatly appreciated. The tank is 1400 x 450 x 800, 650 lites / 175 gallon. I'm planning on adding some Soft Corals and Zooanthids and other easier Corals and some fish.

What is the best way for me to set up my powerheads to create random flow? By use of the controller? Timers? Where should I put them in the tank?

Thanks guys, I really enjoy reading all of your advice. It's certainly helped me a lot so far and I'm sure a lot of other members agree! Any other constructive criticism on my tank is also welcome

Here's my tank so far:

<img src="http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/2183002.jpg"/img>

<img src="http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/2183001.jpg"/img>

<img src="http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/2183006.jpg"/img>

<img src="http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/2183005.jpg"/img>

<img src="http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/2183004.jpg"/img>

 

[SeanT]

Are you able to lengthen the teeth in your overflows?

 

[Alicia Slater]

Nope, it's glass. I did think about attempting to get a glazier to shorten the overflow, but I don't think it can be done.

 

[Lo0seR]

EDIT

 

[Alicia Slater]

Thanks for your advice

I AM planning on stocking corals, so I decided after much thought and research to go with a deep sand bed, it's spot on 6", 120kg of sand.
I agree with your thoughts on the rock structure. Haha I kind of threw a tantrum mid way through putting it together so I've decided to have a rest from it for a little while But I will def change i around a little in the next week or so.

 

[ddinox64]

Nice. Love that DDDDDDSB.Rock layout nice too. Unable to tell if there is one or not but a nice pass through the middle of that big stack would be sweet.

Now to the powerheads. I would go as minimal as possible. Maybe if you can and I'm sure you could with quality pumps is one at each end. I wouldn't worry too much about oscilation, the rockwork will aide in water movement.

I'd hate to see that nice display dirtied up with a bunch of powerheads. Maybe Sea swirls, 1 at each end.