Too much for my tank?

[The Escaped Ape]

Hey Roger,

I'm a-waiting for my Tunze order to come in with Marine Depot (understand the problems you're having and that it's down to Tunze products being manufactured by highly skilled dwarves deep in German mountains who refuse to compromise their craft because the rest of us value them so highly: who'd have thought eh? Dwarves and reef tanks? Strange mix, but still...). Anyway this isn't a distribution query, but I'd like to pick your brains about my new set-up.

My tank is 36"x24"x24". I'm now slightly worried the Turbelle Stream 6000 (along with multicontroller for the "inevitable" later upgrade) will be a bit much. I'm planning to keep SPS corals in the most turbulent areas and maybe some zoanthids out of the main flow. The Stream will be pointing right at the return pipe (powered by a Mag12). Does this sound feasible? As I have the variable speed model, I'm assuming I can dial it down a bit if it's too much like a whirlpool in there...

Tom

 

[rvitko]

I think it should work provided you do not try for a fine sand bed. For SPS it will be no problem and you can turn it down and your tank has sufficeint depth and width to prevent the flow from channeling. So you know- Axel is about 7ft tall

 

[inthemix]

I use a quarter inch fine sand bed ( southdown), will the streams be a problem in my 90?

 

[The Escaped Ape]

Thanks Roger! So it turns out they made by highly skilled German giants, working in their castles atop the famous bean stalks of Heidelburg. Makes a bit more sense.

 

[The Escaped Ape]

Oh, and a question before I go. When you say "fine", how fine is fine? Will I be OK as long as I don't go for powder sand, or will even coral sand be a problem (I'm not too keen on having too coarse a substrate - I'm planning to have shrimp gobies in there who'll want to burrow a bit)?

 

[rvitko]

The common reef and with 1-2mm grain size will work but that sugar sand- big trouble.

In the mix, with a layer that thin I would consider it impossible as it would never become "heavy" with life or compact enough to avoid being blown around.

 

[The Escaped Ape]

Thanks Roger,

Really appreciate the prompt replies.

Tom

 

[inthemix]

How do the 7300's do with that type of sandbed? THanks

 

[rvitko]

Likely no more disturbance than you would have with any other powerhead configuration but I honestly think it is asking for trouble- use Reefbase or Reef Sand- the 1-2mm grain size stuff. Southdown and the like is really only feasible when it is deep and compacts and gets coated with life to the point it isn't just making a constant mess- just my opinion. Frankly i hate sugar sand, never been able to get a tank clear with it.