Nano wavebox, 6212, or Turbelle on a 36" x 36" x 24" cube

[Urchinhead]

Thank you for the assist ladies and gents!

I am working on a new tank build and am thinking to go cube instead of long. Goal is for a 120 gallon tank with three to four "pinnacles" of various heights for different types of corals and allot of open space in between.

But I am mad about my Tunze Nano wavebox and the wave it produces so I wanted to see what you all thought I should do in terms of a replacement for a cube tank. As noted it would be a 36" x 36" x 24" tank with water level up to 22". Center overflow. 1/2" glass no brace (should I opt for a eurobrace?) May or may not do sand.

Should I go 6212, add a nano extension, get one(or more) of the turbelle pumps?

Other flow for the tank will be a single Vortech MP40 (wanted to use a 10 but the glass is too thin) on reef crest with battery backup and a Poseidon PS4 pump putting flow out via 2 return holes set 7" from each side of the tank.

 

[rvitko]

Tough call, cube tanks aren't ideal for a wavebox and the tank is short so a wave of much more than 3/4" is not possible. If you really have to have the wave effect you could add a second nano wavebox and use them on the same controller. This is probably preferable to the full size wavebox as you already have one and it will likely work better and occupy a little less space. I think in all honesty this tank might be a better candidate for just plain powerhead flow, alternating them on a controller. I would consider using a wavebox set up experimental as I cannot promise it will work satisfactorily.

 

[Urchinhead]

Thank you Roger. That is good to know. Actually I am setting the water level to be 2" below the top of the tank so that I can get a wave motion going. If I can't do wave then it may be back to a 48 x 24. The wave has me sold...

 

[Urchinhead]

Sorry... Roger or anyone... Would a set of the Turbelle units create what I am looking for? And if so how many? Wave form is the most critical factor here for me and if its not possible in a cube then I will scrap the cube design and go with a standard 48 x 24 x 24. Reason its so critical is:

a) Aesthetics. I *REALLY* like how the tank looks with a wave going on in terms of coral motion, water motion, etc.

b) Tank health. All things being equal in terms of light/water quality/etc I have seen a noticeable increase in growth and polyp extension on *ALL* of my corals post wave maker install

So without a wave option the cube form is no bueno.

I get a 1" wave now with the Nano on my 36 x 18 x 20 by the way.

 

[rvitko]

I cannot say it won't be possible, it just is more difficult and the wave is faster on short tanks, I would expect with a second one the wave will be about the same as on your 36 * 18, probably about 3/4" maybe just a bit more. A longer narrower tank though will produce a bigger wave and the one nano would be sufficient.

 

[Urchinhead]

Thank you sir. 48 x 24 it is then.

 

[Urchinhead]

What do you think about a 48" x 28" (Inner Dim 47" x 27") x 24"? Stay with the Nano with the option to add a second Nano box on or go to the 6212 or use the Turbelle? I would like to get a wave form that is between 1" and 2" if possible...

Thanks again Roger!

 

[Urchinhead]

Bumping this as I am now back at it. Question becomes on a 48" x 20" x 22" tank go Turbelle or wave box? I like the lines of the Turbelle and if one (or more) will give me the look I am looking for then I would like to do it. TIA!

 

[rvitko]

The ideal is both, the create different types of flow, the ideal set up would be a nano wavebox and one or two 6105's. If you run two, you would only run one at a time but be able to change the flow direction which adds a nice effect and helps keep the detritus suspended instead of piling up in a far corner.

 

[Urchinhead]

Thank you Roger. I thought that the Turbelle would create a wave as well, no? The 1-2" wave is the key here and the question is can I get that with one or more Turbelles or do I need to go wavebox only?

 

[rvitko]

Ideally you want wave and directional flow, you can produce a wave with the turbelles provided you have the right controller, but it takes much more to produce a wave, for example a 6206 nano wavebox is one pump using about 12W, you will need at least 2 6055 to almost equal this wave performance so double the power consumption and more expensive, the box magnifies the effect by displacement.