Need Help Planning Set Up

[Specialtang]

I was told to come here and talk to roger but if you have thoughts on this please let me know.

I am trying to get rid of my pressure rated return pump and my closed loop system.

We are on the fence about going back to Corals. Long story short while waiting for a new Apex unit the tank got too hot and most of the SPS died off. We were thinking just going to a Fish and Live rock set up and just sell the Apex and other equipment. After sleeping on it, thinking about keeping everything and trade out some equipment so it meets the following:

1. Reduce nosie coming from the pumps.
2. Reduce power bill.
3. Ability to keep any coral I wish.
4. Solution should be long lasting.
5. Go to bare bottom tank
6. No plumbing inside the display tank.


Here is my set up

90 x 30 x 30 custom tank
Pressure rated Iwaki 70RLT pump with Penducters
Reeflo Hammer Head
Ocean Motion 4 way

I would like to go to a Mag 12 / 18 return pump and maybe use Tunze for flow
My rock work will be in the center of the tank so flow can do down both sides.

What would you recommend?

 

[shawnz28]

I would go with 2 x 6105 on a 7095 or 7096 controller or can be controlled by your Apex.

Also while not Tunze related... is your return pump close to your tank or another floor? If close I would look at a ATB Flowstar 1500 or a Reef Octopus Water Blaster return pump if you are trying to limit noise and heat.

 

[Specialtang]

I would go with 2 x 6105 on a 7095 or 7096 controller or can be controlled by your Apex.

Also while not Tunze related... is your return pump close to your tank or another floor? If close I would look at a ATB Flowstar 1500 or a Reef Octopus Water Blaster return pump if you are trying to limit noise and heat.

The return pump is just behind the wall, under the stairs. I have pipes running from under the tank, through the wall and back. Total loop is about 5 feet.

I was thinking of the 6105 too but I was worried they would not be strong enough.

I will look into the return pumps you talked about.

Thanks

 

[shawnz28]

My mistake I read the tank size wrong. Will have to give some thought to the pumps. I am thinking more like 4 6105s or 2 6205 and 2 6105s. The 6205s move more water in a wider area but the 6105s move water further if I recall.

 

[rvitko]

Shawn is correct on his recommendations. I might reconsider going bare bottom, I know this is controversial but I tried it and I can honestly say that unless you vacuum up the debris every couple days, it tends to produce more algae problems then a sand bottom. My guess is the lack of the sand bed and its detritivores and bacteria colonies permits any debris to decompose less completely and feed algae. I am not that blessed with time that I can get to the nooks ad crannies of the tank every few days and the detritus tends to pile up in the worst places near and under rocks. Even with high flow the detritus from the boring action of bristleworms, the natural decay of rock from sponges, etc and the heavy waste from tangs and foxface types will be settling in spots.

 

[Specialtang]

Roger,

What about running two 6305's and not running them full blast?

I am slowly going bare bottom tank as I am tired of the sand and the issues it bring with it. I am down to about 1/4" of sand, in some places it is bare. I just suck some sand out everytime I do a water change.

The plan was to get all the sand out and put the 6305 Tunzes on the bottom of the tank at one end. Blowing on each side of the rocks and different speeds based on controller settings. This would replace my closed loop system I have now

Next I would use a powerhead I have already (Koralia Mag 7) for surface flow at the other end of the tank. I would replace this with Tunze 6105 or 6205 in a month or two. One at each end blowing towards the center of the tank.

Thank you for your info

 

[rvitko]

It helps to put aside thinking in gph and think in terms of pattern.

6105- flow covers 7ft by 2ft
6205 about 5ft by 3ft
6305 about 6ft by 3ft

Because the tank is longer and not that wide I am inclined to stick with 6105's 4 6105's would work well and give you a lot of redundancy so if you lose a pump, it is not critical and the cost is less than 2 6305. The bigger pumps shine in wide tanks.

 

[Specialtang]

That helps out a lot thanks Roger