Loads of Flow in a Large Cube

[Biglurr54]

I am wrestling with good flow for my 175 sps cube build. I think I have it narrowed down and am ready to buy some pumps! The tank is 36x36x31. I like a lot of flow. I think that flow in our tanks is such an important thing and even with all the pumps, I think were are barely scratching the surface of what the ocean provides at the reefs.

With that said, my thoughts are to create a constant flow/gyre in the tank first. This will be continuous, no pulsing, just constant turn over. This will keep things from settling and prevent stagnant water. I think I will achieve this by using 2x 3k gyres, 1 on either end of the tank. I will run them for 45 minutes each with a 15 minute overlap. (Meaning pump 1 on for ½ hour alone, then pump 1 and pump 2 for 15 mins, then pump 2 alone for ½ hour). This will be done by the apex. I know, I know I should use the xf250’s and ramp up and down… I would rather save the money and put it towards the other pumps. 3k’s will work fine with on off controlled by apex.

To create random flow, and provide the coral with the pulsing and changing flow patterns they need, I will add pumps to the back wall. I am considering 4xs PP-8s or 2x RW-20's

What are your thoughts? What is better, smaller power heads spread out or fewer larger power heads?

 

[Luno]

That's gonna be a lot of flow!!!

I guess the first thing is being a cube I'm gonna assume you'll have 3 sides viewable but will it be in the middle of a room and have 4 sides? This will be a big part as to how many pumps and how muxh they are gonna mess with viewing.

If it was me with a tank that size I would go with 1 gyre (see how the one goes and if needed do second) and 2x rw8 honestly even if you want a ridiculous flow I think the rw-20 your gonna have turned down a fair bit anyway so seems a bit overkill. Sounds like what you want is to completely eliminate dead spots. So I would go as many wave makers without making the tank look filed to the brim with them.

Let's do some math
175g tank
2 x 3000g/h gyre
2 x rw8 2000g/h

At full speed that's 10000g/h and a turn over of 60 times not including what your sump (assuming sump return will be) if you wanted more I'd go upto the rw-15 and you'd be at something like 70 times turn over

Each to their own but I can't imagine needing anymore flow, and not to mention more wavemakers in the tank just takes away from the aesthetics of a tank too much equipment visible. Just just my opinion.

 

[Luno]

To be more helpful, because obviously you do want a high level of flow. I'd just suggest finding a balance between that and cluttering the tank with equipment

 

[Pntbll687]

I think the flow and type of powerheads is going to depend on your scape to some degree.

I would start with the gyres you plan on using, and add powerheads as needed to get the desired flow.

 

[Biglurr54]

The back is against the wall. I don't count the return pump. It's negligible because it is not variable. With that said the return is around 1700 gph. I currently have 2 pp8 in my 24 cube and they are both on random at 100%. I have dead spots and I feel like the coverage isn't great. Cubes are tough.

I look at it this was: What would you recommend for a 40 breeder stocked with sps? Multiply that by 4.

The 3ks will create flow but corals need pulses and changes in flow. They use those changes to pump/move water in and out. They gyres move the new water in and old water away but they won't pulse the water. The pp8s proved the pulsing.

That's my thinking anyways.

Ps I'm not trying to argue or anything. I just like to have discussions on this stuff. I totally respect and place value on your recommendations and experience.

 

[Biglurr54]

Not the final aquascape. More rock in the mail!

 

[Luno]

Atleast from me no offense taken what so ever. I'm with you the more discussion and different views and ideas all means greater knowledge all round!

If you haven't used a gyre type wavemakers before I think you will be pleasantly surprised with how it does well at creating that under toe current and works to lessen dead spots. Curious how many returns you will have into the tank? This may help to in eliminating dead spots.

The other poster was correct though i reckon. Add the two gyre pumps and see how the feel is. Get them set how you desire play with them a bit. Then add say one or two wavemakers play with that see how it feels and looks.

Flow is a hard one, it is a fair bit of trial and error till you get something that works for you.

 

[Biglurr54]

I have one return, no nozzle. Just 1 1/4 pipe. Flow is around 1800gph to 1500gph depending on whether or not the chiller is needed.

 

[Luno]

Also I REALLY REALLY REALLY like that scape. It's one of the big upsides to cubes. I love the cove type scape and I think that will look phenomenal when covered in coral!

It actually looks like if you remember that older write up on reef scaping that was really popular from an artist on rc. I swear there was one very similar you didn't happen to take some artist inspiration from there did you?

 

[Biglurr54]

I havent tried the gyres yet. This is my first project with them. My feeling is they are great to create laminar flow that keeps thing suspended and supplies nutrient rich water and exports the nutrient poor water around the coral. (Think tidal flows and currents, constant and steady) I feel like that is only half the point of flow in our tanks. The other half is to assist the coral with pumping water and nutrients into/out of the corals bodies. This is more of a percussion type of flow. (Think wave box and waves crashing on reefs)

 

[Biglurr54]

I read that rc post years ago. I took photography in college and it covered the same info in the rc post. It stuck with me I want to get it a touch taller and bit thicker. Then its getting cemented together with emacro! If you can over come the flow, lighting, and sump space issues with cubes, they are amazing displays for aqua scaping.

 

[Shad Quill]

I'm setting my cube up similar to what you described. I was contemplating using 2 mp10s on the back wall to create turbulence in the flow in addition to the gyre. My only concern is this will interfere with the effectiveness of the gyre and how it was designed to work.

.... I need more rock.

 

[Biglurr54]

Is that a 24 cube? Here's my 60g cube. I went with two pp8s. They have been running for 3 years and counting. They create good random flow but not much for laminar. There are dead spots behind my rock work and corners.

 

[Biglurr54]

I am also interested in how wave actions interferes with gyre flow. Maybe the perfect combination is a gyre pump and a wavebox!

 

[Shad Quill]

I am also interested in how wave actions interferes with gyre flow. Maybe the perfect combination is a gyre pump and a wavebox!

I didn't even think of this option. .... or something like a sea swirl

 

[Shad Quill]

Also, I'm using a reeflo yellowtail pump rated at 2400 gph with a max head height of 36 feet. I have a basement sump I'm building with a head height of 15 feet and I'm running all my equipment off of a manifold and a 40b frag tank off of it. I'm hoping to see about 600 gph at the DT.

This build is about 80 percent done. Waiting on some equipment and valves that are suppose to be delivered today.

 

[Biglurr54]

Nice. Im doing a basement sump as well. Not as nice as yours. I have a dirt basement and not much room so i built an insulated closet for the sump area. Im using an SP6 for the return with about 7 feet of head pressure. I'm considering adding a 2nd sp6 and making a manifold for CARX, chiller, and carbon/gfo reactors or feeding them with a separate pump all together. I like the redundancy of two returns but the second sp6 adds a lot more flow.

I looked at the reeflo's i just didnt like the power consumption. (this coming from a guy who is using 400w halide over leds).

 

[Shad Quill]

I had a similar problem. My house was built in 1900... I live in New England. So an unfinished basement gets cold here. This is what I did.

My wife thinks I'm insane

 

[Biglurr54]

1830s in upstate NY.

 

[Shad Quill]

1830s in upstate NY.

That'll work. Enginuity at it's finest.