nearly 3ft peninsula flow

dopey · Apr 11, 2020

Hi,

I think i've read all post around flow on a peninsula, but most were for 4, 6 or even 8 foot tanks

Also seems most people eventually had to accept pumps on the viewing end

I'm trying to achieve all flow from the overflow end.

My tank is 83 cm long (32in). (Forgive the algea, can read the battle in my build thread)

Today I have one MP40 that you see in reef crest mode(front of picture). A tunze pump in the back left corner to try and create flow across the bottom.

The best plan i've come up with is to buy two MP10s. Place one on the 'bottom' back corner (from this photo angle), and the other higher up on the back side.

This would put the MP40 'centered' on the front side, and then one MP10 lower and one MP10 higher up on the far side.

Does this seem like a good plan? Or should I consider something else? Would like some other opinions before investing in these pumps, they ain't cheap

Goals:
Keep bottom clean/no pockets
Chaotic flow throughout tank
No 'oil slick' on surface.

This won't be a wall to wall SPS tank. Plan is SPS on the higher portions of the new rocks, and LPS/softies on the lower areas.

Appreciate any tips!

EmdeReef · Apr 14, 2020

Devaji · Apr 14, 2020

love peninsulas.
I would think 2x Mp10s might do better than 1 Mp40 for wide flow.

OR gyre would do the trick.
on my RS650P 5 footer i plan on 2x 350 Gyres like most i hope to not to have power heads on the end. I think its all about coral placement if its a mixed reef if SPS dom. then pen. are a bit harder for sure.

naterealbig · Apr 14, 2020

I would do 2 x MP40. One on each side of the back panel. Running them on long pulse will give you a very good gyre. No other pumps needed.

User1 · Apr 14, 2020

Based on the image I see please be aware that your flow will change as the tank matures. This may, or may not, factor in to your decision but it is something to be aware of. You will see one flow pattern today as there is no coral growth to deflect it. As the tanks and corals mature then things start to get a bit more difficult and interesting.

I do not believe it is going to be possible to achieve what you want but may have some options. On the returns depending on how it or they are designed you could use random flow nozzles on the end. Gives a bit of random flow depending on your return pump specs. You could also plumb in a Sea Swirl which will provide random flows anywhere from 90 to 180 degrees. Again, you could also use a random flow on the end.

Then on the opposite side you could get a gyre and place up top of the aquarium. Between the return on one side, gyre on the other, random flow with some control ability as the tank matures.

Bacon505 · Apr 14, 2020

in this small scale, you wont have issue with flow. Its better to have 2 powerhead instead of one, give you more options to mess around with it. I would recommend 2 gyre instead of mp10 or 40. Its a log cheaper and more adjustable

Devaji · Apr 15, 2020

lots of options for sure. do let us know what you decide and the outcome over the next year.

dopey · Apr 15, 2020

Thanks for the comments!

I do have two powerheads today, you can only see the MP40. On that same end of the tank in the 'back corner' there is a tunze pump. I don't remember the model, probably a 6020. It's pulsing, and the MP40 is on reefcrest.

I can see the corner on the other end of the tank is a 'deadzone'. Which is why I was considering more pumps.

I went ahead and ordered an MP10 this weekend to start with. I will play with using only one of each MP40/MP10 and also those + the tunze.. I suspect I will ultimately get a second MP10 instead of the tunze just to keep a clean look and wires out of the tank.

Forgive the bad drawing, but this is likely how i'll end up at the end. Black box is to represent the overflow wier.. (It's centered in real life tho

) This would be a view looking 'through' the tank towards the overflow end.

Hollywood Hobbyist · Dec 8, 2020

dopey said:
Hi,

I think i've read all post around flow on a peninsula, but most were for 4, 6 or even 8 foot tanks Also seems most people eventually had to accept pumps on the viewing end I'm trying to achieve all flow from the overflow end.

My tank is 83 cm long (32in). (Forgive the algea, can read the battle in my build thread)

Today I have one MP40 that you see in reef crest mode(front of picture). A tunze pump in the back left corner to try and create flow across the bottom.

The best plan i've come up with is to buy two MP10s. Place one on the 'bottom' back corner (from this photo angle), and the other higher up on the back side.

This would put the MP40 'centered' on the front side, and then one MP10 lower and one MP10 higher up on the far side.

Does this seem like a good plan? Or should I consider something else? Would like some other opinions before investing in these pumps, they ain't cheap

Goals:
Keep bottom clean/no pockets
Chaotic flow throughout tank
No 'oil slick' on surface.

This won't be a wall to wall SPS tank. Plan is SPS on the higher portions of the new rocks, and LPS/softies on the lower areas.

Appreciate any tips!

What kind of peninsula is this? I've been looking for a 3ft peninsula, it fits my layout and would be the perfect divider between my office and living room. right now I have a rsr 170 in the space