Flow in unorthodox tank

[nels0nico]

Howdy,

I’m new to the hobby and am enjoying it massively. I have a different setup, not a traditional tank (see picture). Right now, it’s FOWLR, but I want to add coral and eventually an anemone for our clownfish. I have 1 percula and 3 yellow tail damsels (working out so far).

I estimate the tank to be between 30-40 gallons. I have a 300gph fountain pump, a ReefGlass skimmer, a heater, and some activated carbon pads inside of the brown “box” where water flows from into the tank.

I think I have lighting figured out. Thanks to @BobLoblaw, I found out that my natural lighting is not sufficient to support an anemone. And probably not enough for coral, either. So, I’m going to put two MicMol Aqua Mini lights on each side of the brown box.

But flow is where I’m stuck. I was thinking a couple of 475 Tunze power heads somewhere, somehow, but not sure.

Any advice on the flow or otherwise would be greatly appreciated. Happy to expand on any of the above.

Happy reefing!

-N

 

[trido]

My first question is.... How deep is it and what's it made out of? What kind of corals do you plan to keep in it?

 

[nels0nico]

My first question is.... How deep is it and what's it made out of? What kind of corals do you plan to keep in it?

It's not very deep. I would say probably around 12" deep with substrate added. It's made of fiberglass and a "natural looking faux slate".

I was thinking of starting with Zoanthus Mix and would go from there. Others I got from another post on R2R are:

• Ricordea Florida Multicolor;
• Acanthastrea Dark Red;
• Acanthastrea Tiger Red; and
• Ricordea Yuma Orange.

But really, I will get whatever my setup can support. I ordered Borneman's Aquarium Corals last night to do more research.

Thanks for the reply!

-N

 

[trido]

Ricordias, Acans and Zoanthids would do well with some LED light strips around the four race ways. You might be able to get away with a euphyllia in the outside corners provided there is enough flow. I would probably use those corners to put smaller power heads into to make sure all four raceways have equal flow. It looks like a fun and challenging set up with a unique top down view. Good luck!!

 

[trido]

Or.... the two tunzes in opposite corners to push the water around in a circle. The problem with this though, it corals like random and chaotic flow. You need a way to reverse it to reduce dead spots in the flow.

 

[nels0nico]

Thanks @trido for the reply!

I think I may have overlooked a product that fits this setup. It's the Tunze 6020. This one disperses the flow pattern and creates a gyre pattern on its own. So, I'm going to put one on each corner of the tank, by the brown box. This should create flow and help agitate the substrate. I hope the coral like it... hehe.

Thanks again!

-N

 

[nels0nico]

Updates:

1. Ordered two Tunze 6015's and a 36" @AquaticLifeProducts Edge Reef Edition LED light fixture;
2. Added a sifter starfish the other day;
3. Some brown diatom seems to be appearing on my live rock, but I'll take that as a good sign that my cycle is complete (hopefully the starfish will eat it, not sure);
4. Still debating where best spot for coral will be (Zoa's or shrooms to start); and
   
5. Wanted to get BTA for Percula, but now afraid it will take over the tank...

Will update with pictures, once it's setup. For now, see diagram for planned layout.

 

[nels0nico]

I passed on the 6020's because I think the angled flow will cause too much turbulence and distort the top-down view.

 

[trido]

Im confused.... I understand your PS edits, but what is the whole outer area with the circles? I thought that was the tank... so the tank is the small area in the center? The tiny area?

 

[nels0nico]

Im confused.... I understand your PS edits, but what is the whole outer area with the circles? I thought that was the tank... so the tank is the small area in the center? The tiny area?

Indeed, the small area in the center is the tank. It holds about 42 gallons full. I think it has about 30 gallons with the water level as it is. The brown area with the circles is my atrium in the middle of the house. I plan on putting plants there.