SC Aquariums Owners Thread
- Thread starter OceanWolf
- Start date
Thats an RW-4, I'd recommend the RW-8 for the 66G tank if you were keeping SPS, I went with the RW-4's for a gentler flow, Id buy only one at a time, and go from there, the RW-4 is tiny i'm thinking I will need 2 for a 50G. The stock return pipes really limited my return pumps contribution to intake flow.
wetWolger
New member
Greaps, how long till your tank is wet?
I plan to be mostly SPS + LPS + zoa's...bare bottom and a bit higher flow.
I would like to run the RW-4's close to the max intensity. I am rethinking my flow entirely.
I was originally thinking a single MP40. But I decided I would be better off with at least two pumps, and I would like to get something cheaper initially. So at first I was thinking I could get something super cheap, and basically toss it once I got a couple MP10's.
But when I started looking at the RW-4's and RW-8's, I figured maybe I should start with those...you never know I might be happy enough with just those.
So now my thoughts are either two RW-4's, hoping that with both of them maxed out I would be happy. Then if I find it's not enough flow, I could add on a single MP10 after that, or possibly a third RW-4, or possibly a RW-8.
I really hate cables in the display tank, so that's where it gets tricky for me. My plan with the RW-4's is put them high up on the back wall, try to tuck the cable as much as possible in the corner of where the back wall meets the overflow. Then have those point down towards the lower front of the tank.
The return from sump would be focused on surface level movement.
Then if I needed more flow, I could add a MP10 on the right side, as close to the bottom as reasonable. If I was super happy with the SW-4's I could maybe consider doing a third SW-4 or a SW-8 in the same place as the MP10, but then I would have to deal with the look of the cable all the way to the bottom of the tank.
Anyways, I am really not sure....the only thing I have 100% decided on is I will get either two SW-4's or two SW-8's to start out with, and maybe add a third _something_ down the road. I am leaning towards the SW-4's because I feel like if I can get away with the small device going 100%, I would prefer that than a bigger device I have to keep turned way down (astetics).
So that's why I asked how long till your wet, I would love to get your opinion of how much movement you get from the single SW-4. If you feel two SW-4's would provide good flow for a 66gal, or it might be kinda close.
I would love to see a video of your pump running 100% in else mode.
I plan to be mostly SPS + LPS + zoa's...bare bottom and a bit higher flow.
I would like to run the RW-4's close to the max intensity. I am rethinking my flow entirely.
I was originally thinking a single MP40. But I decided I would be better off with at least two pumps, and I would like to get something cheaper initially. So at first I was thinking I could get something super cheap, and basically toss it once I got a couple MP10's.
But when I started looking at the RW-4's and RW-8's, I figured maybe I should start with those...you never know I might be happy enough with just those.
So now my thoughts are either two RW-4's, hoping that with both of them maxed out I would be happy. Then if I find it's not enough flow, I could add on a single MP10 after that, or possibly a third RW-4, or possibly a RW-8.
I really hate cables in the display tank, so that's where it gets tricky for me. My plan with the RW-4's is put them high up on the back wall, try to tuck the cable as much as possible in the corner of where the back wall meets the overflow. Then have those point down towards the lower front of the tank.
The return from sump would be focused on surface level movement.
Then if I needed more flow, I could add a MP10 on the right side, as close to the bottom as reasonable. If I was super happy with the SW-4's I could maybe consider doing a third SW-4 or a SW-8 in the same place as the MP10, but then I would have to deal with the look of the cable all the way to the bottom of the tank.
Anyways, I am really not sure....the only thing I have 100% decided on is I will get either two SW-4's or two SW-8's to start out with, and maybe add a third _something_ down the road. I am leaning towards the SW-4's because I feel like if I can get away with the small device going 100%, I would prefer that than a bigger device I have to keep turned way down (astetics).
So that's why I asked how long till your wet, I would love to get your opinion of how much movement you get from the single SW-4. If you feel two SW-4's would provide good flow for a 66gal, or it might be kinda close.
I would love to see a video of your pump running 100% in else mode.
I'm about 2-3 days at best from water, sand, and rocks going in. Worst case about 6-7 days, my wife's due for our second kid in 4 days. I'm going a low minimalist scape most likely but I can't say until the rocks arrive. I will get a video when its up. I feel though for a bare bottom tank, you should go with RW-8's.
I used WP25's two on a 40g breeder bare bottom tank before this tank. I ran them on else mode all day. WP's are more directional and the tank was much smaller than your 66g. From my RW-4 placed on the back wall pushing water at the center front its quite diminished, it doesn't push much after 18-24 inches, and placed middle of the tank doesn't pull much "undertow" When I first set them in I thought wow I needed the RW-8's, as I was used to tons of flow before, but after thinking about my tanks needs two RW-4's will likely work. And I'f they don't I can sell them and go bigger, probably lose out on 35$ after shipping.
Mistersponge
Member
She's getting wet.
She's getting wet.
Thats the 66G tank correct? How many pounds of rock did you buy? It looks good. I went with 20 pounds of reef saver for a 50g tank, I'm hoping its like pukani where 20b's dry is like 30-40lbs wet. Did you have left over rock? What % leftover?
Mistersponge
Member
It's the 90. I ordered 50 lbs of Fiji and 50 pukani. I have a lot left. I used all the pukani. Might put some Fiji in the sump.
Very nice, hope my rock arrives soon, almost ordered 15lbs, but last second went with 20lbs. Thinking it will be plenty at this point.
If I may suggest for your scape, maybe moving the right island inward a little so cleaning the glass is easier, and flow is better, although it bare bottom I don't expect flow problems.
If I may suggest for your scape, maybe moving the right island inward a little so cleaning the glass is easier, and flow is better, although it bare bottom I don't expect flow problems.
Mistersponge
Member
Good point I will have to move it. Sand will go in this afternoon probably. I could never stand a bare bottom tank ;-) 80 lbs pink Fiji is going in.
Mistersponge
Member
14 hours, sheeeesh.
50g system, update. Sand, rocks, and RODI water in. Going to start adding salt now. Water level only appears not level from the powerhead. Looking forward to the building the fish, and invert list.
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Mistersponge
Member
Still cloudy over here. Bio Spira went in this morning. Rock is starting to smell.
For my 50g two RW-4's would be more than enough flow for soft corals and LPS which I'm planning. Its hard to say if in a bigger tank and with different rock work if you would be happy with them. I went with only 20lbs of rock and its open around each structure. So that in itself improves circulation. I'm happy with just the single on "ELSE" mode (random) as it is. But will probably pick up a second RW-4 in the future.
In your case a tank that is larger and bare bottom I would get a single RW-8, and go from there. I'f I was going SPS and bare bottom on my current 50g tank I would go with RW-8's. The LPS would need to be in more sheltered locations, but thats all in your planning.
Hope this ramble could help. Good luck!
wetWolger
New member
Hummm....not really, it's such a hard decision. I think you gave me most the information you can do without also having an RW-8.
I really want to have at least two. I feel like two smaller pumps gives more options than one big one. I also would really like to run them on the "ELSE" mode. Which is why I am nervous about the RW-8...even if I am going to be bare bottom, and even if I do plan to have _some_ SPS (not like a crazy sps tank like some people keep).
I guess no matter what I get I guess I should get only one to start, in case I got the wrong one, haha.
I really want to have at least two. I feel like two smaller pumps gives more options than one big one. I also would really like to run them on the "ELSE" mode. Which is why I am nervous about the RW-8...even if I am going to be bare bottom, and even if I do plan to have _some_ SPS (not like a crazy sps tank like some people keep).
I guess no matter what I get I guess I should get only one to start, in case I got the wrong one, haha.
Yeah, that sounds about right, if my tank was bigger I would be thinking RW-8 especially if its bare bottom, the idea being to suspend all the crap in the water column and get it too the socks. I used two WP-25's on a 40 breeder bare bottom with a Jebao DC12000 (3000 gph if I'm not mistaken) return pump. My frogspawn didn't mind as long as it wasn't in the jet stream.
Mistersponge
Member
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