mj 1200's on a wavemaker in a 58gallon....question

[SaltyNewb]

just ordered a red sea wavemaker, and bought some mj 1200's to put on it.

However, since I don't have the wavemaker yet, i put 2 of the 1200's in the back corners and it seems they are too powerful even if pointed toward the surface, etc...

Anyone else used mj's in a 58g, and think the 1200's are too much? I am now thinking of using 900's, although maybe the 1200's wont be as bad when they are on the wavemaker.

Anyone used similar? The tank is mostly softy with few sps, i think the softies are getting whipped around.

should i step it down to 600's even?

[SaltyNewb]

bump

[blmeier7]

I have a MJ1200 in my 55g on a timer. It is a lot of flow but my corals have seemed to get used to it. You might try the MJ mod (cutting off the return nozzle). This will keep the flow from being quite so laminar and vary the direction somewhat.

[JimR]

Salty

I was just going to order two 1200's for my 55gal. Do you think thats too much? I wont be using a wavemaker of any type. Should I buy the 600's? I was just goint to use them for mid/bottom water flow.

I need to know asap, I was just getting ready to order..bigal's online has them on sale and free shipping for orders over $50 ( got other stuff to buy too).

[examiner]

The "problem" with the MJ's is the flow is so concentrated....In my 58g, I've got 2740gph of flow, which equals about 9 MJ1200's. But my flow is coming from Seios, which give a more dispersed type flow pattern.

I don't think anybody will say 2 1200's is too much flow for a 55 or 58. You just can't point the output directly at a coral. Bounce it off the glass or a rock, or if you are handy.....check out the maxi-jet mod thread in the DIY forum. You can get substantially more flow from these babies with not much effort, and it's a diffuse flow like a seio or a tunze.

[MiddletonMark]

With a 3' tank, you need to work with indirect flow.

I had 3 1200's + a 900 in my tank, then upgraded to Seios, then upgraded further. While my tank is primarily stony now, things did great even with a pair of Seio 820's in there.
I still have zo's, rics, bubble, frogspawn, caulastrea, maze brain, acan ... lots of fleshy LPS even with my 3000 gph+ turnover.

Easier said than done ... but I'd join a reef club, see as many tanks in person as you can to see how others deal with it.

Be sure to have indirect flow ... behind the rockwork, angling off glass/rock ... anything but beaming the corals directly IMO.

Good luck, keep asking questions :)

[nemo g]

anyone ever hook up "spray bars" to the maxi-jet out puts? im probably going to mess with some abs pipe and see what kind of flow i can get.

why abs pipe? this way i can drill holes that are not linear, giving a flow that is much more dynamic.

also, unless the extra 60 gph from a singel head is necessary, and if you are heat or energy conscious, the 900's may be a better choice. they give ya 230 gph from only 8 watts, compared to the 295 with 20 watts of the 1200. so, the get extra 65 gph, only 28% more , yet comes at 250% of the 900's wattage.

think of it this way:

2 900's= 16watts 460 gph
compared to
1 1200= 20watts 295 gph

thats 4 watts less and 165 gph more. plus, since there are two, its easier to get better flow dispersion throughout the tank.

how about 3 900's= 24watts but 690 gph

best part, drsfostersmith.com has them for only 14.99 :D

if you want, ill let you know how a pair do in my temporary 29g

nemo G

[SaltyNewb]

JimR, I'd stick with the 1200's.

I think the corals will adjust after a little while, plus your tank is 4'.

I've tried to deflect the stream off the glass, and use the flange that comes with the MJ, but we'll see how they handle it. I'm thinking that when they are on the wavemaker, they won't be on at the same time so it won't be too bad.

Right now i have 2 mj 1200's, and was planning on using 4 1200's on the wavemaker when it comes in. I might swap the remaining 1200's for 900's or something.

thanks everyone