40B circulation.

[Patis55]

So im starting a 40B up and i have some questions about the circulation needed.
Im getting a overflow box and need to drill my tank. Not to hard looks pretty easy actually.
The over flow will be near the end as it seems most are.
My sump return will be in the center of the tank with 2 outlets pointing to the front and the return pump will be a 600/700ish GPH adjustable flow pump.
I'll need two other internal circulation pumps, one on each end. What would be a good size to look at that would provide adequate movement with out blowing everything around the tank?
Thanks for your ideas!

 

[Lance M.]

For my 40B return pump I have a Fluval SP2 set up as you describe, return in the center and overflow in the back left corner (I drilled two holes for two bulkheads for 1" pipe).

Flow in the tank other than return was two Hydor Koralia 2 (forgot what they are called, these pumps were purchased like 7 yrs ago) and one Koralia nano. The nano was placed top left facing forward, one koralia on left side blowing to the right across the front of the glass, and the other one in the back right side behind the rockwork blowing to the left side.

That set up worked great for me with softies and lps (caulastrea, chalices, and acans). I had at different times plating monti that did well too. Ran that flow set up for about 3-4 years. Tank crashed about a year and a half ago. I just kept it going but lost everything except tree coral, cabbage leather, and gsp.

Recently started working on it about a month ago. Getting it ready to be fully stocked again. Decided to change my set up and pulled two larger koralia's out (they are fairly big), moved the nano behind the rockwork on back right side blowing towards the left, and I now have a MP40 on the right side blowing to the left. Still playing with it, but Reefcrest on the 4-5th setting seems to be moving everything very well. Also using night mode for 12hrs at lowest pump setting. I like it so far.

I do have to say the hydor koralia set up did very well for me and so far I love the MP40. Whatever works, works.

 

[Patis55]

Nice full tank. How much live rock do you have in there?

 

[Lance M.]

I'm not really sure. The tank is a 40B with a 40B sump. I would have to guess in the 150lb range total. Its lr accumulated from combining small tanks (20H, 20L, 10) and coral additions over the past 10 years.

The foundation rock on the right side is about 20"x12"x5-6" and weighs about 30-35lbs by itself. It has many tunnels and was useful when i had a pair of yellow watchman. I had to quarantine it for about the first month I received it as I found 2 large stoney crabs and an insanely large worm wedged in the crevices when I first got it so i had to make sure I got rid of them first.