new reef system circulation suggestions

[jerrylt]

I'm planning to set up a new reef system. The display will be 96" x 36" x 27" tall (1" acrylic) with external overflow. I'm looking to achieve chaotic high water flow and am considering 2 x 6200 Tunze Streams plus the 7095 multicontroller plus the 6212 wavebox for internal water movement in addition to Sea Swirls for the returns. Several questions:
1. comments /concerns regarding this strategy?
2. what should the height of the water be to accomodate the wave action?
3. recommendation for placement of the Streams?
4. I assume the Wavebox should be centered on one end?
5. Will the Sea Swirls interfere with the effectiveness of the Tunze combo?
6. Will a coarse aragonite/crushed coral substrate (2-3") be compatible with the expected level of flow and turbulence?

 

[rvitko]

You may need a wavebox extension, I expect with a single wavebox the height of the wave will only be about 1/2", with an extension probably 1", I would give a 1 and 1/2" to 2" gap from water line to edge. I think it should be fine provided your focus is SPS.

 

[jerrylt]

Thanks, Roger. Yes, this is to be an upper fore reef biotope dominated by SPS. With the Wavebox extension, can the entire Tunze combo still be driven through the multicontroller? Also, I've planned to locate the Streams in each of the upper back corners on either side of the tank with the flow directed at the front center of the tank as has been recommended for other systems. However, is this still an effective approach with a Wavebox?

Jerry

 

[rvitko]

With a tank of this size I would aim the Streams to the front cennter and alternate which one is on. Using an extension you coulld put the waveboxes on the multicontroller if you used the branch adapter to split the cable.