Too Much Flow for Waterbox 100.3?

[nickkohrn]

I’m waiting on my Waterbox 100.3 (36”L x 24”W x 21”H), which is a 75g display. I will be going bare-bottom, so I’m not worried about blowing sand around. I currently have two VorTech MP40s that I plan on placing on the back wall.

Would it be too much to have two more MP40s, which would be placed on the left and right panes of glass? I would rather have more pumps that can run at lower intensities and provide more random flow patterns than to have a couple pumps run at higher intensities and only provide a small amount of flow patterns.

Do you think running two on the back and one on each side at lower intensities would be too much? It would allow me to add many more random flow patterns at varying intensities throughout the day.

 

[TessGlo]

I think its quite hard to have too much flow, and with MPs you can adjust the flow as your needs change. It will depend on what type of corals you want to keep, tons of flow would not be ideal for lots of softies/ some LPS. It will be great to have them when things start to grow in an SPS tank and interrupt the flow, maybe wait to add them until you really need em to save on wear and tear etc. I run two tunze power heads on a similar sized Elos tank and if they did'nt look so ugly I'd add a third, you can actually see how SPS grow towards the flow in some places.

 

[nickkohrn]

I think its quite hard to have too much flow, and with MPs you can adjust the flow as your needs change. It will depend on what type of corals you want to keep, tons of flow would not be ideal for lots of softies/ some LPS. It will be great to have them when things start to grow in an SPS tank and interrupt the flow, maybe wait to add them until you really need em to save on wear and tear etc. I run two tunze power heads on a similar sized Elos tank and if they did'nt look so ugly I'd add a third, you can actually see how SPS grow towards the flow in some places.

Thanks for your advice. It will likely be a while before I attempt any SPS. I just thought I could keep the pumps on low settings and randomize the flow patterns better for the LPS and soft corals that I will have.

 

[MURedhawk]

I have 2 MP10s and have great flow with DCS 6000 return running at level 4/10.
These were old MP10s and one does not stick that well magnetically so I likely will get mp40 later.
(MP10 if bumped can fall off so I use holders from eco tech.)
I don’t think you need 3 or 4 mp40s on 100.3. (2 is fine)
Wait and see when you set up with 2 and then decide. Save the 700$ for other items.
Just my thoughts.

 

[MURedhawk]

Update:
Keeping my mp10s on back wall, but looking to add more flow and possibly mp40 to side wall to increase flow vs gyre and placing it vertically on back wall to hide it. (I have some poor flow and get diatoms and mild cyano only on sand on right side and right back area.)
Tank was live rock transfer from 65g, but added new sand. Running now 3+ months. Mixed reef.
Anyone use Maxspect gyre in waterbox 100.3 or mp40s or both?
Thoughts?
Thank you.

 

[Duffer]

i have (1) maxspect gyre 230 on my waterbox 130.4 and i believe the flow it quite enough, i even have it on 40% max. I love it

 

[hart24601]

Thanks for your advice. It will likely be a while before I attempt any SPS. I just thought I could keep the pumps on low settings and randomize the flow patterns better for the LPS and soft corals that I will have.

I think it's a good idea. I really like the reefbreeder RP-M pumps. Not quite the power of mp40, but I like the flow better. I would use at least 4 of those if not 6... i like flow!

 

[PapaWhisky]

I have one of the RP-M pumps in my Waterbox 100.3 and intend to add one more and sync them. Two will provide plenty of flow for a non-SPS tank and 2/3 the price of one mp40! My single provides the perfect amount of flow for my LPS and softies, I just want to get a second to play with the wave effects

 

[MURedhawk]

Thank you all for great info!

 

[Saltybuckeye]

I have a 100.3, but only have two pumps on the back wall. The tank is beautiful and didn’t want pumps sticking off the sides of the tank. Well my wife didn’t want pumps sticking off the sides of the tank....

 

[BigSkyRich]

I have a 100.3, but only have two pumps on the back wall. The tank is beautiful and didn’t want pumps sticking off the sides of the tank. Well my wife didn’t want pumps sticking off the sides of the tank....

How is the placement of the 2 MP40's on the back of your 100.3 working out? I'm getting ready to add a second to mine and was wondering about placement. Also, did you just split the difference between the filter box on each side? Thanks