New 180 help with circulation

[lfjewett]

I'm going to be getting a 180 soon and before I make the order I need to decide on what I'm doing for circulation. I'm going with an Acrylic tank 6x2x2. I want to keep a mix of SPS and LPS corals, usual fish, and others. I'm shooting for 20x to 30x turnover so this is what I've come up with so far.. Recomedations ( expecially first hand knowledge on noise ) would be helpfull. O' this will also be a SSH to DSB type tank so flow needs to stay off the bottom.

1. 3 Maxi-Jet 900's with the Stream Modification, and return from the sump via an Ehiem 1262. The plus side here is low energy probaby less than 60 Watts. And low budget, probably less than 100 bucks. Downside is they are ugly.

2. 2 SEIO Streams ( not sure on model ) with same return as above. I'm not sure on the noise and I think these are a bit bigger than the maxi's so another tank eyesore. Low energy but not as low and price still good.

3. 2 Tunez streams (6000's). This would be the most expensive option so far but could add a controller later. These also have the same problem as above methods.

4. Closed Loop system. Powered by 2x Velocity T4 pumps ( I already have one ). Bonus here is they are SILENT, and less expensive than the streams listed above. The returns can also be nearly completely invisable. The downside here is the high energy cost (300 Watts) and unless you get an expensive OM or sea swirl your not going to 'wave' motion this.

So those with tank in the near 180 range what have you found to be the best option. Bouns points for silent systems and low cost. Double bonus points for creative ways to make them not look so ugly.

Thanks!

 

[RokleM]

If money is not an object, go for option #5, 2x Tunze 6100's.

I just brought up a 180 glass (6x2x2) this month and have he 6000's running at full blast. My upgrade parts to move them to 6100's just arrived today. I am doing a mixture of many things, but a good portion will be SPS. Other than wishing I went one step up, I can't possibly explain how happy I am with these units.

 

[lfjewett]

I was actually reading your build thread today I think.. I love your rock work by the way. But actually your full tank shot is one of the reasons I hesitate on any of the powerhead options. It's almost like my eye is drawn to the pumps before the reef. Maybe I'm just looking to hard, do you guys notice the stream style pumps after they are in?

 

[ringwurm]

My eyes are usually drawn to the pumps and overflows so I can see what kind of equipment people have. Its the same with cars. I check out the badge/decal to see what kind of engine it has. I'm guessing the non-reef geek would look at the fish/rocks first. (just my guess)

I also second the tunze streams. I have 2 plus a wavebox and I love them. If you do end up getting a stream or a seio make sure and order Sure Grip magnets for them. That way they are easy to move around.

Greg

 

[RokleM]

Yes I see them, but as soon as you have some nice corals and darting fish, the equipment _should_ kind of disappear. I do have the same issue as ringwurm since I like to look at hardware though

I have thought about a few options like hidden overflows, the Tunze rock, etc. I figured I would try this first and see how it goes.

 

[lfjewett]

Ok thanks.. I'm looking into hideing a set of streams in a false back or maybe a rock.. Problem is with 2x 6100's A controller and a fake or two is pretty expensive and might not be in the budget right away.. Thanks again.

 

[Psyire]

If I did things again I would keep the sand out of my tank so I could crank my flow up even more. 2x 6100s on my 180g

 

[JVHam]

I have 2x6000s in my 58 and with the correct rockwork many people do not notice them. in a 180 I would only do 2x6000s and a multi.

 

[emilese]

So, what do we get with the bonus points?

I'm also in the process of setting up a mixed reef, dsb, 180g. Here's what I am planning:

Return pump: Eiehm 1262
Closed Loop powered by a Sequence Hammerhead plumbed to an Oceans Motions 4way with Revolutions.

I don't have it set up yet so, I can't really give you first hand experience yet. I was really torn between going with the Tunze's because of their low energy consumption and simplicity of setup but the tank was already drilled for a closed loop and I wasn't crazy about the bulkiness of the Tunze's.

Miles

 

[Silencer]

Here is my setup. It might give you a few ideas.

That is unfortunately a not-so-good picture, but the tank has about 7000gph provided by two Seio 1500, eight 1.25" elbow closed loop outlets to provide eight-way alternating flow and a return "spraybar" made up of six 3/4" T's. In that imagine only the two Seios and two of the closed loop outlets are visible.

The two Seios are hidden behind a false overflow baffle on the left. All you can see of them are the tips of their outlets. The return line is hidden behind the top trim of the tank and the spraybar is along the right end of the tank behind the upper trim. You can see it, but only when looking from a lower angle. The closed loop outlets are embedded in the aggrocrete rocks and the return lines are hidden under the sand and behind the false baffle.

If you want more pictures or info just let me know.

 

[RokleM]

That is some pretty impressive hiding Silencer!

 

[lfjewett]

Miles, you and I are in the exact same boat except I can't deal with the noise of the larger pump you have listed. But you seem to have the same worries as me thank you for shareing your point of view.

Silencer although I agree the picture sucks I'm impressed that I don't see a single flow device I'm really interested in how you did the false baffle.. My tank will be visable from 3 sides, is yours a front view only?

 

[Silencer]

My tank is viewable from the front and right side. The back side is against the wall and the left side is kinda in a corner and has all the equipment. The false baffle is just a sheet of 1/4" black polypropylene with the appropriate holes in it. It's held in by the sand and plumbing and not glued or permanently secured in any way.

 

[sammy33]

lfjewett -
I would go with option 1 and add Silencer's idea for the false baffle especially if you are into DIY projects. This would give you the biggest bang for your buck and also give you the stealthy, non-visible flow devices it seems you are leaning towards.

There are a few threads here on RC where others have used this sort of false wall with power heads. I have also considered it for my tank.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=562238&perpage=25&pagenumber=6

The Nano Streams from Tunze look like they would be a good option as well with the 6055 model pumping 1,453 GPH at 18 Watts and controllable with the multicontroller.

The powerheads seem to be much more efficient than most all of the pumps (for a closed loop) I have looked at. The only pump that seems close (that I have found) is the Sequence Dart with 3600 GPH at 160w?

 

[lfjewett]

Nice tank silencer. I had never even heard of a nano stream. I'm off to find those now. Does anybody know how the noise level of Maxi-Jets vs Streams vs T4's ? I've never owned a stream and can't speak to it's noise level.

 

[Wryknow]

I just got a new wavebox on Friday and it is AWESOME. Very nice water movement in the entire tank. I've got it paired up with a couple of SEIOs (1500 and 820) plus the E-heim 1262 return pump for directional flow and I'm very happy with the combination. No bonus points for being hidden though!