Wave Box on a 275 Gallon

[Kiah]

I was wondering if you could provide some input.

I will be purchasing a glass aquarium from aquariumsforyou.com detailed below:
the tank size will be 84 X 34 X 22H
1/2 " Starfire glass on 3 sides; 1/2"standard glass on back
3/4" standard glass on bottom
Back colored black
3 internal overflows, with associated plumbing - 2 corner and 1 mid back.

The tank will be aquascaped into 3 regions:

soft corals zoanthids sps
with lps on the 4" deep sand bed.

I plan on having open area on all sides of the rock structures.

The return will be 3000 - 3600 GPH distibuted with Loc-Line with nozzles and a spray bar.

I have a Tunze 6000 with controller and was considering adding a wave box. The wave box seems to be a natural motion, low energy use altenative. Would this be a good use? Would I be better off just adding 6100's? What is the best option and what would be the best locations within the system?

Thanks for your time

 

[rvitko]

I think I would go with 2 6000 and the wavebox. This depends on the ratio, if it will be mainly SPS then 2 6100 may be better but you will have to slowly increase the flow after the sand bed stabilizes and compacts a bit. The wavebox should be centered on one end and the pumps positioned back corner aimed to front center.

 

[Kiah]

Thank you for your quick response. As water motion is critical for the tank animals and an expensive component of the setup, I'd like to make sure it's right the first time.

Based on your input the tank layout would look like:

In your opinion is this the best option for water movement in a tank of these dimensions?

Is rock placement in relation to the wave box important?

Is the box on the bottom or typically at a height above the sand bed? If so what is the best height?

I think that's it. Thanks again and best regards.

Oops, one more should the wavebox be on the sps side or is it irrelevant once the motion reaches steady state?

 

[rvitko]

The box has to sit so the top is above the water level by one inch, the side is irrelevant. I have found rock placement is not that important but ideally the outlet would not be overly obstructed. I think that proposal looks good.

 

[Kiah]

Thanks for the help!