Planning flow in a seahorse tank

[jiriki]

I have a 120g 4ftx2ftx2ft tank. It has a hole in the bottom for a closed loop. I do not have a pump yet.

I am stuck on the three possibilities. Option B is potentially the cheapest with Koralia pumps. Would need at least 2 K3's or K4's. What are your suggestions?

A) Closed loop - external pump, but most inefficient
B) Power heads - may add heat to the tank. More efficient. Takes up space. Needs foam covers?
C) Vortech MP40W - Comes with foam covers. Fully adjustable. Maybe overkill for a 120g seahorse tank? Maybe an MP20 instead? It's an open front. Add netting?

Or if you can describe what your setup is like for flow on a similar sized tank.

-Jon

 

[Elysia]

It is a fact that horses can get their tails stuck in powerheads -- those grates look like such tempting hold fasts, the powerhead may have detrius stuck to it, which makes it a haven for tasty treats like amphipods, and the seahorse just can't help but to investigate --- the pull or push to or from the powerhead just reinforces the horse's desire to get a good hold onto that grate, and lacerated or severed tails, or even death, has resulted. It is just something that you want to be very much aware of.

 

[jiriki]

Best way to seahorse proof a powerhead? or Vortech MP40w?

 

[Tylt33]

I wouldn't go with a MP40w... even stronger swimming fish can get stuck in them.

 

[jiriki]

Maybe my return with about 1000gph... with spray bars.. that should be good enough?

Or.. eductors/penductors be bad attached to the returns?

 

[ChadTheSpike]

I dont think that MP40 would be overkill for a SH tank because they are adjustable, so you can reduce flow from the peak if necessary. If it were me, I would cage the whole pump with egg crate or something similar to prevent the SHs from getting too close... they will hitch to the egg crate though, so if you take this route, make sure that you make the cage large enough they cant reach the pump.

My setup is about half of what yours is (60 gallons), but I use the return from my sump (600 gph through a 2" pipe, so its slow velocity), a 600 gph maxi jet (chosen because it has an easily shielded intake) and a nano wavebox.

I dont think your return flow of 1000 gph will be enough to keep detritus from significantly accumulating in the DT. My rules of thumb for SH flow are to avoid random flow (two pumps pointed at each other, scwds that interact in crazy ways, etc), adequately protect all suctions, and provide lower flow areas with hitches.

 

[namxas]

the SCWD on the CL of our 50 gal pent SH setup is perfect. i don't use flares or other directional fittings on them tho. instead, i used threaded strainers (usually used for intakes), so the water diffuses in several directions. i prefer this greatly to constant laminar flow.