Suggestions/ideas for program and placement in 180.

[RokleM]

Here is my setup:

180 gallon, rock piled through the middle, some towards the back wall.

The Tunze 6100's are about in the "middle" of the side walls. The one on the left points towards the front of the glass, in front of the rock. The one on the right wall points at the back wall, around the back of the rock.

My overflows are in the corner (small black tube/bulkhead), with the incoming at about 800 GPH right in the middle of the tank facing the side walls (see the two black pipes at the top middle).

I've got some softies/LPS, but am attempting to keep my SPS in good order. Right now I'm running 40% - 80% on pulse of about 5s w/ nighttime mode.

I'm looking for suggestions. Move the pumps up, down, different spot on the side glass, different modes, etc? I'm having some SPS bleaching (can't tell if it's from that or my I believe too bright dual 430w HQI bulbs).

Thanks.

 

[rvitko]

I would place them on the back corner walls and aim them diagonally to the front. I would use Interval 2 but keep the pulse, though the pulse might be more effective slightly faster, 3 sec and 30%-?. I would set the Interval at 6hrs.

 

[RokleM]

I've give that a try. It's kind of hard to visualize, but that pile of rock on the right is actually about 200lbs itself. It's a mountain that's about 4" from the front and back walls. The one on the right will probably have to say in the middle of the side, or else it will just blow into that rock pile. I can point it towards the front though.

We'll see how that works. Going to test now

 

[RokleM]

I probably need to find my manual, becuase I don't quite understand how to program what you stated. I did what I _think_ is correct (see below), and I had a sandstorm. It literally was knocking corals out of place and flipped one of my monticaps.

I have the multicontroller, and here's my setup based on what I THINK you said...

Left side is in the first plugin on the bottom, nothing in the second, right side in the 3rd, nothing in the 4th.

Top to bottom:
3 sec dial pulse
Int2 (how can I set pulse AND int2 at the same time since it's just a button that moves down the list?)
50% on the int dial
0,2-12hr
100 left dial
40 left dial
100 right dial
40 right dial

 

[rvitko]

The pumps pulse in all programs, you set the pulse and you set the top and bottom knobs. I can only give generic guidelines, this is a trial and error process and one of the fun parts of this set is playing with the setiings to get the flow you want. As you have it set, one pump idles at 30% for 6hrs and the other pulses for 6hr between 40 and 100%, you might try turning those down to say 30% and 60%.

 

[RokleM]

Thanks for your help Roger, it sounds as though I'm on the right track. Even though the pumps were set "lower", the turbulence in the middle seemed to create a TON of movement on the corals in the area. I can see how that would actually be more beneficial than my pumps running at 100% front to back.

Thanks for the ideas. I'll play with the settings, change the directions some, and see if I can get it a little more "calm".

I continue to be blown away with the features of these pumps every time I work with them. Worth every penny

 

[rvitko]

Thanks!