Flow math - help

[Mariette]

hello trusted R2Rers. After much consideration and research, I’ve decided on getting 2 Jebao SOW-20 Wavemakers with a dual controller so I can coordinate their operation. For a 110g w fish, inverts, softies, mushrooms, nems, and maybe beginner LPS. Here’s the math

- Each wavemaker can move 450-5,280 gph so, with the 2 wavemakers, I’d have the capacity to move 900 to 10,560 gph.
- such a tank would require Medium flow, which is 30-40 Xs tank volume, for a 110g tank = 3,300 to 4,400 gph which averages to 3,850 gph. Well within range.

Questions:
1 - am I missing something?
2 - any reason i should avoid these specific wavemakers? If so, can you recommend an alternative?

TIA all.

 

[Lasse]

For me - it looks like an overkill in a 110 G tank. My tank is 80 gallon and I use two of these (in package with RW/PP 8) and you can se my flow below


Sincerely Lasse

 

[Ron Reefman]

Are these going to be the only pumps moving water in your 110g tank?
Do you have a sump or refugium that is also moving water into and out of the DT?
These are wave makers. They probably aren't going to be running at any one given flow rate all the time, right? They will ramp flow up and down. How are you figuring that variability into your calculations?

Flow rates, as in your 30 to 40x turnover number are so arbitrary that IMHO, you are over thinking the issue. Just do it and your pumps have lots of adjust-ability.

 

[crusso1993]

For me - it looks like an overkill in a 110 G tank. My tank is 80 gallon and I use two of these (in package with RW/PP 8) and you can se my flow below


Sincerely Lasse

Was going to reply pretty much what @Lasse stated already. So, a +1 at Lasse!

 

[lifeguard101284]

I have a similar thought to everyone above, it might be overkill but they are very adjustable so watch your corals and worst case is turn them down.

 

[Mariette]

Are these going to be the only pumps moving water in your 110g tank?
Do you have a sump or refugium that is also moving water into and out of the DT?
These are wave makers. They probably aren't going to be running at any one given flow rate all the time, right? They will ramp flow up and down. How are you figuring that variability into your calculations?

Flow rates, as in your 30 to 40x turnover number are so arbitrary that IMHO, you are over thinking the issue. Just do it and your pumps have lots of adjust-ability.

There will be a sump. The return pump will move about 3X the volume per hour.

Yes. Flow will be ramped up and down by Wavemaker. I think you’re right. I’m way overthinking this. That’s why I went w a pump that’s got a good range. Top end of that range would be way overkill but the lower end would work. Thank you for your input

 

[Mariette]

For me - it looks like an overkill in a 110 G tank. My tank is 80 gallon and I use two of these (in package with RW/PP 8) and you can se my flow below


Sincerely Lasse

That sir is one heck of a tank you’ve got there. Well done! And thank you. I think you may be right.

 

[Lasse]

That sir is one heck of a tank you’ve got there. Well done! And thank you. I think you may be right.

Thank you. This WiFi extra controllers really are something. You can schedule the pump to run different mode during a day - and in different intensities. This make it possible to have a huge variation of flow. There is a option for the RW/PP 15 and this controller too. you manage it with your smartphone

Sincerely Lasse

 

[tehmadreefer]

For me - it looks like an overkill in a 110 G tank. My tank is 80 gallon and I use two of these (in package with RW/PP 8) and you can se my flow below


Sincerely Lasse

What setting is do you use?

 

[Lasse]

I have one RW/PP 8 in each corner but masked by my background - please go to my earlier page of my build to se how (the placement of pumps is shown from this post). I use a combo of different modes but the one you see in the video is intensity 120 % and 0.7 sec pulse. Such a sort pulse will really struggles on the pump and I have replaced 2 for 3 years. I never clean them. I have always two in reserv. Is normally possible just to purchase one pumphead - not the whole set needs to be changed

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Aardvark1134]

Everyone has to decide where to spend money and where they can get away with saving money. I would personally would not pick my water movement as a place to try to save money. Cheap generic wave makes fail often and usually move about 1/4 the water they claim. But if you are willing to put a few more in than you think you need and keep a spare in a cabinet for when one fails... you can save a lot of money by going this route.

 

[tehmadreefer]

Everyone has to decide where to spend money and where they can get away with saving money. I would personally would not pick my water movement as a place to try to save money. Cheap generic wave makes fail often and usually move about 1/4 the water they claim. But if you are willing to put a few more in than you think you need and keep a spare in a cabinet for when one fails... you can save a lot of money by going this route.

Jebao powerheads are the most used powerhead in the hobby. There are certainly nothing wrong with using them as evidenced by the plethora of those using them in this forum.

The new OW series has significantly increased in quality as well over older models

 

[Aardvark1134]

They are super cheap Chinese knockoffs with cheap motors. The huge amount of people using them is due to their super cheap price point.

 

[Lasse]

All my pumps are Jebaos. I have run a 4000 DCT pump for 3 years - nema problema. It is never even cleaned.

Do you think that I will run the aquaria you see in post 2 without equipment I trust? I have run other brands before but learned that all things can brook down – even high rated brands like tunze and even echotechs equipment’s. With my aquaria - I would not dare run it without spare pumps. But I not prepared to pay more than $300 each for the main wavemakers and same for my spare pump. For les than $150 I get a main and a spare pump – together with one of the more advanced controllers that exist. For $ 130 I get two complete DCS 4000 return pumps – one main – one spare pump. I have a spare pump to my skimmer (including needle wheel $75 and so on. I have two wavemakers, 1 skimmer pump, 4 circulations pumps in function at a complete new set in the closet. I will not run without a spare whatever. I do not know who the smart guy are here - the one that have a complete spare set for all his pumps or the one that pay the same money for only two wavemakers of the right brand. If this is dumb – I prefer to be dumb.

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Waboss]

There's a lot of folks who are anti-Jebao for many different reasons. I'm not going to get into that mess here. What I will say is that I've personally used, Tunze, Ecotech (MP-10s), Hydor, Gyre, and Jebao. I always end up back with Jebao's (OW-25's now). They get the job done....very well for me. So I wouldn't think twice about using them in your tank if I were you (I do think the OW series are the best quality I've seen from them).

As for flow, I think you'll be fine. With an adjustable PH, I believe a little more is better than a little less as you can always adjust the flow down some. Just fire them up and see how the creatures in your tank react....at the end of the day, as long as they're happy, it's all good.

So that's my 2 cents.

 

[Mariette]

I have one RW/PP 8 in each corner but masked by my background - please go to my earlier page of my build to se how (the placement of pumps is shown from this post). I use a combo of different modes but the one you see in the video is intensity 120 % and 0.7 sec pulse. Such a sort pulse will really struggles on the pump and I have replaced 2 for 3 years. I never clean them. I have always two in reserv. Is normally possible just to purchase one pumphead - not the whole set needs to be changed

Sincerely Lasse

Everyone has to decide where to spend money and where they can get away with saving money. I would personally would not pick my water movement as a place to try to save money. Cheap generic wave makes fail often and usually move about 1/4 the water they claim. But if you are willing to put a few more in than you think you need and keep a spare in a cabinet for when one fails... you can save a lot of money by going this route.

I agree that water movement is an important aspect. I do have wavemakers is my 55g currently (I’m looking for ones for the 110g upgrade) plus extras. So, on case the upgraded ones malfunction, or don’t live up to their power specifications, I’ll have tons of backup. Technically, I probably have enough now to adequately move water in a 110g but it’s all Powerheads w no programable features. Figured I’d get the good ones for the new tank. No corals yet so my rush. Thx for al the input