Pump sizing for 65gal mixed reef

[Turkey head]

Hello, I'm planning a 65gal mixed reef tank. It's a JBJ 65. gal AIO (ok, I'll post pictures when I get started!). The display portion has a footprint of 36x15.4 and a volume of 48 gal. The remainder is the sump portion at the back. I'm planning which pumps to get. Right now, I want either a

Tunze 6040
or
Tunze 6055

My dilemma is that they are expensive and I don't want to do it wrong and have to buy again...

So, by water volume, it's a 65 gal tank but effectively it's a 48 I think. It has a pair of pumps that are 396 gal / hr each. This will really just filter the water not move the reef.

The more I write, I think the Tunze 6040 should be enough but I don't want to undersize the pumps and not have enough power.

Any thoughts?

 

[DC Reefer]

I have the 6055 on a smaller tank (32 gallon display) and have it running pretty low. I think either will five you enough turnover but depending upon the aquascape and type of live stock you may need another pump to eliminate any dead spots. On mine I have the 1 tunze and the return pump And it has been sufficient. I am using on a mixed reef of mostly LPS corals.

 

[Turkey head]

Ok, so they really can be tuned down a lot. I was planning on putting one on each side of the tank. If I had to get something else to stir any dead spots that wouldn’t be a problem. I could get an inexpensive AC pump to take care of dead spots. A pair of 6055 might be best because they should give more than enough flow but can be tuned down if it’s too much.

 

[DC Reefer]

That sounds like a good plan.

 

[Turkey head]

I changed my mind. I decided to call BRS about the pumps. I decided I liked the form of the 6040 and the 6055 were out of stock. They said two 6040 would be plenty for this tank. So I bought the 6040s. They have plenty of power to move water in this tank. Right now they are not quite at 50% each (alternating on / off). I’m completely happy with the power they provide for a 36in tank