Looking for flow recommendations for 40G SPS tank setup

[Evieeeeee]

Hey everyone! I'm finalizing my plan for the 40G IM NUVO AIO aquarium that will be a SPS only system. I was hoping to get some advice on flow since this is the first time I am setting up a smaller dimension tank.

The tank dimensions are Length: 23” Width: 15” Height: 18.89” and I am aiming for 40~X flow from the power heads, so something along the lines of 1600+ GPH?

The thing I am not sure on is if having 2 power heads would be necessary or if I can get by with just 1 like the Nero 5, Gyres, etc that produce a lot of flow on their own. Would one powerful pump be able to make the proper flow patterns required for a healthy SPS reef or would it be better to get 2? Also, I see a lot of people recommend gyres for long aquariums, but would they work well in a 2' tank as the only pump?

If you have other recommendations besides the pumps I mentioned I'd appreciate it as well. Thanks!

 

[andrewey]

I've seen the gyres done on tanks of that size, however when I tried it, I couldn't dial it in without blowing my sand everywhere. Just my single observation.

I have a 40 breeder mostly SPS tank set up right now and my flow comes primarily from a mp40 with a cheap 500gph pump to take care of some of the dead zones. That being said, the mp40 would be enough (36" tank) as the only pump if I didn't have any LPS/softies and could increase the power a bit more (running at 40%) or I ran a BB tank. Before that, I had 2 mp10s on the tank and both gave me the flow I was looking for. I've had sucsess with both one pump and two pumps on tanks this size including other 40 breedrs, 20 longs, etc. I've found the rockwork and coral placement seem to matter more at tanks this size compared to the pumps you suggested (I think all will give you the flow you want).

 

[Evieeeeee]

I've seen the gyres done on tanks of that size, however when I tried it, I couldn't dial it in without blowing my sand everywhere. Just my single observation.

I have a 40 breeder mostly SPS tank set up right now and my flow comes primarily from a mp40 with a cheap 500gph pump to take care of some of the dead zones. That being said, the mp40 would be enough (36" tank) as the only pump if I didn't have any LPS/softies and could increase the power a bit more (running at 40%) or I ran a BB tank. Before that, I had 2 mp10s on the tank and both gave me the flow I was looking for. I've had sucsess with both one pump and two pumps on tanks this size including other 40 breedrs, 20 longs, etc. I've found the rockwork and coral placement seem to matter more at tanks this size compared to the pumps you suggested (I think all will give you the flow you want).

Could you tell us what sized sand you used? I was considering using the special grade caribsea sand, but I'm not sure if that's large enough to not be blown around everywhere by the gyre.

Also my main concern was if having one large pump would blast the corals too hard from one side whereas 2 pumps would be alternating in some form. Have you had any problems with using your MP40 as the main pump since it's so strong?

 

[andrewey]

Haven't had any issues running the single mp40- like I said I run it at 40% or so and most of my SPS are in the top 1/2 to top 1/3 of the tank slightly recessed from the pump so they don't get hit directly, but the flow comes erratically from it bouncing off the other rockwork/walls of the tank. I get extra turbulence/random flow by having the side pump aimed to meet the stream from the mp40 at about the halfway point of the tank.

As far as sand, it's an old mix that I no longer remember, but it's probably 60% Caribsea aragonite, 20% special grade, and 20% fiji pink (very fine). Doesn't get blown around at all from the pump.