Flow recommendations

[USMA36]

I have a 72x30x25 220 gallon tank just about ready to be filled. I’m running a Vectra L2 with 2 3/4” locline returns with random flow generators. I also have 2 MP40s. I have the money to add 2 more mp40s or 1 MP60. What will work best for an SPS dominant mixed reef. Rock work will be down the middle of the tank with about 6” between rocks and glass on both sides. I’m not really interested in Gyre’s right now. I have 2 xf230s on my current 90 but maintenance is a pain.

 

[kkelly007]

There are a few posts re: mounting a ReefWave 45 horizontal on the opposite end of a peninsula at the top of the tank (sounds like that’s what you have). If you’re only avoiding this because of maintenance, I’ve owned two RW 45’s for well over a year and maintenance is very easy.

 

[blaxsun]

Agree with @kkelly007. Maintenance on the Red Sea ReefWaves is fairly effortless. They have a disconnect for each gyre so you don’t have to completely unplug everything.

You can even get spare gyres to replicate the “wet side” feature of the MP line (just replace one gyre and put the old one on to soak for cleaning).

 

[flashsmith]

After getting a reef wave on a sale a couple of months ago I'll never go back to regular power heads. I have a Maxspect gyre on another tank which is good but the red sea one is way smoother when it cycles.

 

[USMA36]

I’ll take a look at the reef waves. Another reason for the vortecs is to try and limit controller eco systems as much as possible. I have an apex and I also use mobius for the MP40s I already own and my lights.

 

[Poof No Eyebrows]

+1 on the reef waves. I have three across two tanks and none have ever had an issue. 2 have been running for a year with zero maintenance.

 

[USMA36]

Are 2 reef waves strong enough to push across a 6’ 30” wide tank?

 

[blaxsun]

Are 2 reef waves strong enough to push across a 6’ 30” wide tank?

I believe so. My RedSea Reefer 750XXL is 71" x 25.6" wide, and it seems perfectly fine with a pair of ReefWave45's.

 

[USMA36]

I appreciate the advice on the reefwaves, buy I think I’m going to stick with ecotech. I do not want to add another app. I like the idea of no cords in the tank. My tank is going to be 4 sides viewable. The less cords the better. I also have a pretty big battery backup system and there’s no way for me to hook the reefwaves to that. Back to my original question. Would 4 MP40s be better than 2 MP40s and 1 MP60 for an SPS dominated mixed reef?

 

[Hydrored]

It depends on how you are mounting them, on my 8’ I have an MP60 on each end due to the MP40’s inability to reach past 4’ along with 4 MP40’s on the back wall.

I would take 4 MP40’s to create the most random flow as possible

 

[blaxsun]

I appreciate the advice on the reefwaves, buy I think I’m going to stick with ecotech. I do not want to add another app. I like the idea of no cords in the tank. My tank is going to be 4 sides viewable. The less cords the better. I also have a pretty big battery backup system and there’s no way for me to hook the reefwaves to that. Back to my original question. Would 4 MP40s be better than 2 MP40s and 1 MP60 for an SPS dominated mixed reef?

There’s nothing wrong with the EcoTechs, either - and with the criteria you listed they’ll probably work out better for you (feakin’ expensive suckers!) Battery backup and having one less app are always pluses!

I’d second the suggestion on 4x MP40s, mainly because then you only need to buy 1-2 MP40 wet sides that you can use on any of them (rather than having both MP40’s and MP60’s).

 

[USMA36]

It depends on how you are mounting them, on my 8’ I have an MP60 on each end due to the MP40’s inability to reach past 4’ along with 4 MP40’s on the back wall.

I would take 4 MP40’s to create the most random flow as possible

The plan would be 2 MP40s on each end of the tank.