Setting up 300 gallon. Need help with flow.

[sophelia76]

Hi all-
Although I've had a successful 125g going for over a year, I'm a bit lost with trying to set up my new 300g. The tank is 64" by 36" (high) by 30.". The tank has 2 rear overflows and is plumbed for 5 returns at the top of the overflows. I have 2x 2100 gph submersible pumps for the returns. I'm planning to go with Tunzes for circulation. I ruled out Vortech because the MP 40s won't mount to the 1 inch thick acrylic., and the cost of multiple MP60s is prohibitive. I would be running the Tunzes with my Apex. First, any opinions on the return pumps (they came with the used tank)? Then, how many and what model for the Tunzes? Where should they be placed? Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[prop-frags]

Hi Cindy (and Dan).. welcome to the large tank forum!
Check out this thread I started a couple years back - lots of good ideas and links.
Hope this helps you guys out and feel free to put up some drawings of what you're thinking in terms of your tank layout and how you want to place your flow. It is sometimes easier for people to chime in once you've thrown out a "straw man"...

 

[Demonic]

Two tunze 6305's. You could pick them up used in the for sale thread for a pretty price.

 

[sophelia76]

Thanks so much for the link and the Tunze model recommendations. I've been planning flow for the 300g based on what I know with my 125g, but I think I need to start thinking "outside the box." I spent half the day reading about closed loop systems. I will put together a sketch soon- thanks for the tip.

 

[Dog boy Dave]

close loops rule. They make for very clean intallation. Try to put lots of outlets for closed loops under your rocks. Many large tanks fail because of inadequete circulation under the rocks
Easy to add flow later on top but best to add you under rock flow early.
Good luck. I do have threads of my tank with closed loops if you search my name. Oh yea 300 sounds big now, but you will fill it up faster than you think. Welcome to that club.
Regards
Dave

 

[maik1]

close loops rule. They make for very clean intallation. Try to put lots of outlets for closed loops under your rocks. Many large tanks fail because of inadequete circulation under the rocks
Easy to add flow later on top but best to add you under rock flow early.
Good luck. I do have threads of my tank with closed loops if you search my name. Oh yea 300 sounds big now, but you will fill it up faster than you think. Welcome to that club.
Regards
Dave

Yap, 300 goes quick. I LOVE my OM's. It just looks good and works so well.
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1942560

Maik1

 

[sophelia76]

Fully understand closed loops now after much reading (I think). I'm not sure about using a closed loop system in So. Cal. Wondering if it might really increase my risk of having 300 gal. of water on my living room floor in an earthquake?

 

[maik1]

I’m not sure if I would have an aquarium if I lived in California, with or with out closed loop system.

Maik1

 

[sophelia76]

From what I understand, many big tanks survived at the epicenter of the Northridge quake. Water sloshed out the top and some needed to be drained and re-centered on their stands afterwards. LA is a great place to set up a tank with tons of LFS, reef clubs and access to lots of livestock . Earthquakes are the big down-side. I'm using a 1-inch acrylic tank, have emergency back-up pumps, have my AI LEDs doubly-secured, etc., but then just have to cross my fingers and hope for the best the next time the ground shakes!