Wavebox question

[ahenson]

Roger I am buying a 170 that is predrilled for a closed loop. I want a deep sand bed. Corals will be mostly zoanthids and lps with a few sps. I want random flow but not crazy flow.
The tank is euro braced. How much room does the wavebox need from water level to the top of the tank?
The return will be aprox. 1000gph on a sea swirl.
I would plug the drilled bulkheads.
Pros
Less electricity
More natural movement
Less chance of the dsb being blown away
Back and forth current
Cons
Clearance under the euro bracing
Cost
Lowering water level and seeing wave under canopy

Am I ok with this setup? What is the minimal clearance? Could a section be routed out for it?
Any ideas?

 

[rvitko]

Whar are the tank dimensions and what is the position of the overflow box?

 

[ahenson]

It is 6ft long, 24wide and narrows to 18wide in the center, slightly U shaped. Overflow is in the center.

 

[ahenson]

It is an acrylic tenecor tank if that helps. It is u shaped the opposite of a bow front. Might that curve might cause problems?

 

[rvitko]

I really don't know what effect the curve will have so I can't really advise you to try it. I think I would try Streams or a more traditional flow source, the wavebox is a definite gamble. If it were a straight rectangle you would need about 1.5" from brace to water surface as that would be about the wave height.

 

[ahenson]

Thamks since it is plumbed already I'll stay that course. Thanks for an honest opinion.
Andy