starypotter
Valuable Member
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- May 27, 2018
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Hi everyone,
I have a 29 gallon DT with a DSB and 20 high sump. The return on the sump is a petco brand one rated for 300 GPH but I've needed to restrict the flow with a ball valve so I'm not sure how much flow it's really got going but it's not much in terms of movement.
I also have two SUN 530 GPH pumps, and two of the 800 GPH ones. I tried putting one of the 800 GPH ones in DT but it just causes havoc, bare spots in the sand, the GSP and paly in there look like they're being swept up in a hurricane and tornado all in one. In short I'll be getting rid of the 800 GPH ones, or maybe just keeping one to toss in my mixing bucket.
The 530 one doesn't seem to cause too much mayhem but it still seems a bit too strong for such a small tank, I know I should be aiming for around 600 GPH but in one pump it's a bit much, it's knocked snails off of the rocks and glass and limits where the shrimp can go so I turn it on on occasion to get stuff moving but tend to leave it off most of the time.
I don't really want to be spending a ton of money, I'm on a college budget here. I know I need flow over my sand, and I want to have the option to have a variety of corals though I tend to prefer the soft ones.
I don't mind spending a bit more money if something is going to be significantly better, like the features that mean you could have different movement styles, pulsing, feeding time without having to unplug everything like I do now. But if I'm going to be spending a lot more money I'd like it to be a bit more upgradable. For example I didn't mind (as much) spending the $200 on a Curve 5 skimmer because it's rated for a much bigger tank so should I wish to upgrade in the future it means that my skimmer will still be able to handle it. I don't want to be spending a ton of money on a powerhead that maxes out on a 50 gallon tank.
Which powerheads / powerhead systems do you recommend? I like the minimal visual aspect fo the Vortech but that seems like a whole lot of money to me compared to the $10 ones I have. I've got dead spots with my 530 GPH so I want to have another but then there'd be way too much flow in the tank.
I have a 29 gallon DT with a DSB and 20 high sump. The return on the sump is a petco brand one rated for 300 GPH but I've needed to restrict the flow with a ball valve so I'm not sure how much flow it's really got going but it's not much in terms of movement.
I also have two SUN 530 GPH pumps, and two of the 800 GPH ones. I tried putting one of the 800 GPH ones in DT but it just causes havoc, bare spots in the sand, the GSP and paly in there look like they're being swept up in a hurricane and tornado all in one. In short I'll be getting rid of the 800 GPH ones, or maybe just keeping one to toss in my mixing bucket.
The 530 one doesn't seem to cause too much mayhem but it still seems a bit too strong for such a small tank, I know I should be aiming for around 600 GPH but in one pump it's a bit much, it's knocked snails off of the rocks and glass and limits where the shrimp can go so I turn it on on occasion to get stuff moving but tend to leave it off most of the time.
I don't really want to be spending a ton of money, I'm on a college budget here. I know I need flow over my sand, and I want to have the option to have a variety of corals though I tend to prefer the soft ones.
I don't mind spending a bit more money if something is going to be significantly better, like the features that mean you could have different movement styles, pulsing, feeding time without having to unplug everything like I do now. But if I'm going to be spending a lot more money I'd like it to be a bit more upgradable. For example I didn't mind (as much) spending the $200 on a Curve 5 skimmer because it's rated for a much bigger tank so should I wish to upgrade in the future it means that my skimmer will still be able to handle it. I don't want to be spending a ton of money on a powerhead that maxes out on a 50 gallon tank.
Which powerheads / powerhead systems do you recommend? I like the minimal visual aspect fo the Vortech but that seems like a whole lot of money to me compared to the $10 ones I have. I've got dead spots with my 530 GPH so I want to have another but then there'd be way too much flow in the tank.
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