Flow overkill? Need advice before black friday! :)

[Mini Coop]

Hello -

I am building my new 180 and watching BRS for black Friday sales.
Here is my VERY slow build thread - but it is coming along now!
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/new-180-build-mini-coops-dream-tank.327141/

What I am wondering: I am looking at getting the MP40's for the sides, but am afraid of dead spots with the tank being 6 ft long. I have a lot of dead spots in my 120 and powerheads that shouldn't have a problem with that, but they do. (some of this is due to my aquascape as well. The new tank with have more open islands). So, I was looking to get the XF230 Gyre pump to put in the back from @Bulk Reef Supply. It is rated at 2300 gph. I don't want anything with too much flow, and this one doesn't have a controller.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/xf230-gyre-pump-only-2300-gph-maxspect.html

I have a double overflow/double return, and am using the pan world 200ps as my return pump. So, that will create some flow as well.
Would adding the Gyre in the back be overkill, or a wise idea?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[drawman]

I personally think you'll be fine but I like to keep SPS with a lot of flow. You can always dial them back for your needs

 

[Mini Coop]

I personally think you'll be fine but I like to keep SPS with a lot of flow. You can always dial them back for your needs

Thank you! I have had terrible luck with any torches or frogspawn and I am wondering if flow might be my problem.

 

[Radman73]

I personally don't think 2 MP40's are enough flow for a 180. I went with 2 Tunze Stream 3's and ordered an XF250 to supplement those. Also remember that when you order the pump only, that's all you get. You'll need to order a power supply too.

I think adding the gyre is a wise idea. I'd strongly consider getting it with the controller or the Ice Cap controller, not sure what controller it's compatible with outside the Apex, so that it isn't running at 100% all the time. Another alternative is a 3rd MP40 for the back wall center.

 

[drawman]

Thank you! I have had terrible luck with any torches or frogspawn and I am wondering if flow might be my problem.

What would happen with them? Any nippers and are Ca, Alk, Mg in line?

 

[Mini Coop]

I personally don't think 2 MP40's are enough flow for a 180. I went with 2 Tunze Stream 3's and ordered an XF250 to supplement those. Also remember that when you order the pump only, that's all you get. You'll need to order a power supply too.

I think adding the gyre is a wise idea. I'd strongly consider getting it with the controller or the Ice Cap controller, not sure what controller it's compatible with outside the Apex, so that it isn't running at 100% all the time. Another alternative is a 3rd MP40 for the back wall center.

Great! Thank you for the advice. I was hearing that the MP40's weren't big enough for my 180 as well. I was thinking the gyre because of the different type of flow. Do you think the XF230 is enough paired with the MP40's or need to go bigger?

 

[Mini Coop]

What would happen with them? Any nippers and are Ca, Alk, Mg in line?

No - no nippers. All parameters were excellent. They would do ok for a while, then one day start shrinking back, and wouldn't come back. I had an elegance that was doing well . . . and I just lost it last week. Was doing great - all parameters were in line, and everything else is flourishing. zoas, duncan, acan, leather, cat eye, monte . . . just the elegance, stopped coming out and is now gone. I tried to move it around, change flow, but it wouldn't come back.

 

[Radman73]

Great! Thank you for the advice. I was hearing that the MP40's weren't big enough for my 180 as well. I was thinking the gyre because of the different type of flow. Do you think the XF230 is enough paired with the MP40's or need to go bigger?

I read that you already had the two MP40's. If not, you have a bunch of options.

Read in your other thread that you won't be doing SPS, at least to start. Check out the Tunze line of pumps. I went with the Stream 3's in large part because of the 5 year warranty. The Gyres have good reviews but reportedly need more regular maintenance. Tunze makes other pumps besides the Stream 3 that would work well in a 180. I love Vortechs but the cost combined with a short warranty got me looking elsewhere.

 

[wcharon]

I personally don't think 2 MP40's are enough flow for a 180. I went with 2 Tunze Stream 3's and ordered an XF250 to supplement those. Also remember that when you order the pump only, that's all you get. You'll need to order a power supply too.

I think adding the gyre is a wise idea. I'd strongly consider getting it with the controller or the Ice Cap controller, not sure what controller it's compatible with outside the Apex, so that it isn't running at 100% all the time. Another alternative is a 3rd MP40 for the back wall center.

I am in the same boat for my 125. Can't decide if I go with the Xf-250 and the Advanced Controller or go with the Icecap and use the APEX. I don't like all the eggs in the same basket in case the APEX fails so that point have me more inclined to use the Advanced Co

 

[drawman]

I read that you already had the two MP40's. If not, you have a bunch of options.

Read in your other thread that you won't be doing SPS, at least to start. Check out the Tunze line of pumps. I went with the Stream 3's in large part because of the 5 year warranty. The Gyres have good reviews but reportedly need more regular maintenance. Tunze makes other pumps besides the Stream 3 that would work well in a 180. I love Vortechs but the cost combined with a short warranty got me looking elsewhere.

Tunzes do have a pretty good track record of lasting I'm a big fan as well. You can't beat the flow coming from a Gyre either. I have a Gyre 130 and MP40 in my 60 gallon FWIW and I could even add more but a cube tank is hard to equip.

 

[Mini Coop]

I read that you already had the two MP40's. If not, you have a bunch of options.

Read in your other thread that you won't be doing SPS, at least to start. Check out the Tunze line of pumps. I went with the Stream 3's in large part because of the 5 year warranty. The Gyres have good reviews but reportedly need more regular maintenance. Tunze makes other pumps besides the Stream 3 that would work well in a 180. I love Vortechs but the cost combined with a short warranty got me looking elsewhere.

Ok - I remember looking at Tunze - I have the Tunze ATO and LOVE it - and YES! Love the 5 year warranty. I am open to this. On sale, the Stream 3 looks comparable to what I was hoping to get the MP40's for on black friday. So, I could do those. What do you see as the benefit of the Stream 3 to the 6155, other than cost. And if I were to get 2 stream 3, what would you recommend for the back of the tank as the 3rd option? Another stream 3? (Stream 3 isn't on their comparison chart).

 

[ca1ore]

LPS are not really high-flow corals, so I doubt lack of flow was the problem. Dual MP40 on a 6' tank is the minimum, though probably sufficient if you are not doing SPS. When I had a 7' tank I used a MP60 on one end and a MP40 on the other, but I do SPS. Now with a 8' tank I have dual MP60. Though I have not used the gyre, I wonder if it isn't better located on the end rather than the back.

 

[Radman73]

Ok - I remember looking at Tunze - I have the Tunze ATO and LOVE it - and YES! Love the 5 year warranty. I am open to this. On sale, the Stream 3 looks comparable to what I was hoping to get the MP40's for on black friday. So, I could do those. What do you see as the benefit of the Stream 3 to the 6155, other than cost. And if I were to get 2 stream 3, what would you recommend for the back of the tank as the 3rd option? Another stream 3? (Stream 3 isn't on their comparison chart).

Post in the Tunze sponsor thread. Their US rep is pretty responsive and realistic in his recommendations. I currently just have the 2 Stream 3's on my 220. Significant amount of flow. I'm still experimenting with placement. Dead silent. Very broad flow that wraps around the tank. Larger than most would like but smaller than they fear lol!

 

[Mini Coop]

Post in the Tunze sponsor thread. Their US rep is pretty responsive and realistic in his recommendations. I currently just have the 2 Stream 3's on my 220. Significant amount of flow. I'm still experimenting with placement. Dead silent. Very broad flow that wraps around the tank. Larger than most would like but smaller than they fear lol!

Thank you!!! I never thought of that! I will. If I just search for it, I will find it? (Apparently I haven’t figured out all our R2R has to offer! Lol)

 

[jsker]

Hello -

I am building my new 180 and watching BRS for black Friday sales.
Here is my VERY slow build thread - but it is coming along now!
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/new-180-build-mini-coops-dream-tank.327141/

What I am wondering: I am looking at getting the MP40's for the sides, but am afraid of dead spots with the tank being 6 ft long. I have a lot of dead spots in my 120 and powerheads that shouldn't have a problem with that, but they do. (some of this is due to my aquascape as well. The new tank with have more open islands). So, I was looking to get the XF230 Gyre pump to put in the back from @Bulk Reef Supply. It is rated at 2300 gph. I don't want anything with too much flow, and this one doesn't have a controller.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/xf230-gyre-pump-only-2300-gph-maxspect.html

I have a double overflow/double return, and am using the pan world 200ps as my return pump. So, that will create some flow as well.
Would adding the Gyre in the back be overkill, or a wise idea?

Thanks in advance for your help!

I have two gyre's on the ends and mp40 in the middle of my 72 48 x 18 x 21 I purchase the new controller on a black friday deal. They Gyre's have worked great for me for over a year and half with plenty of movement.

As you can see the water is pushed toward the middle and the mp 40 sucks the collision down and push the water around the lower part of the tank

 

[Midrats]

I'm not surprised to hear about the Elegance, they are notoriously finicky. Euphyllia can be too, especially the wall variety. The delicate septa are often damaged during collection and transit.

 

[Unregistered User]

Hello -

I am building my new 180 and watching BRS for black Friday sales.
Here is my VERY slow build thread - but it is coming along now!
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/new-180-build-mini-coops-dream-tank.327141/

What I am wondering: I am looking at getting the MP40's for the sides, but am afraid of dead spots with the tank being 6 ft long. I have a lot of dead spots in my 120 and powerheads that shouldn't have a problem with that, but they do. (some of this is due to my aquascape as well. The new tank with have more open islands). So, I was looking to get the XF230 Gyre pump to put in the back from @Bulk Reef Supply. It is rated at 2300 gph. I don't want anything with too much flow, and this one doesn't have a controller.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/xf230-gyre-pump-only-2300-gph-maxspect.html

I have a double overflow/double return, and am using the pan world 200ps as my return pump. So, that will create some flow as well.
Would adding the Gyre in the back be overkill, or a wise idea?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Serendipitous you're in Columbus! Do you have any hobby friends in the Beavercreek/Dayton area? My tank just needs drilled.

 

[madweazl]

Having run a pair of MP40s on my 75g for a number of months now, I cant imagine them being enough for a 72" long tank. With a mixed reef, perhaps but I wouldn't bother. No experience with the Gyres so I cant provide any input there. With that said, the flow possibilities with the Ecotech controllers is exceptionally nice; I'm not completely sold on the pumps yet but the controllers and flow patterns they offer is outstanding.

 

[Mini Coop]

Serendipitous you're in Columbus! Do you have any hobby friends in the Beavercreek/Dayton area? My tank just needs drilled.

No, I don’t! I know an awesome guy who drilled my new 44 long sump in gahanna. Lol.

 

[Mini Coop]

I have two gyre's on the ends and mp40 in the middle of my 72 48 x 18 x 21 I purchase the new controller on a black friday deal. They Gyre's have worked great for me for over a year and half with plenty of movement.

As you can see the water is pushed toward the middle and the mp 40 sucks the collision down and push the water around the lower part of the tank

How much maintenance do they require?