powerhead config

[latazyo]

I need some flow in my tank to eliminate dead spots

my return pump is a mag12 (cut back with gate valve due to drain size restrictions) put through dual 1/2" locline outputs

the mag provides me with good volume turnover, but I need current and flow within the display itself...I have low water movement speed and a lot of dead spots, so I am thinking a wide flow pump is my solution......tunzes are not even close to my price range

the tank's dimensions are 24x18x18

I am trying to decide between 1 x seio 620, 2 x 620, or 1 x 820

any advice?

I was told the MJ mod would be a little too much for my small tank...anyone agree or disagree?

[Reggae Fish]

Where is your overflow/overflows

[DrBDC]

I would do 2 1100's on a controller so that half the time they'd only be 550's. Or 2 820's w/o controller (only because they can't be run on them).

[latazyo]

its a center overflow

Roy, you dont think dual 1100s would be ridiculous in my 24" tank?

[Reggae Fish]

Listen to roy. He's had that controller 2 days now. :lol:

Actually, I agree in which I would do 2- 1100's but if you don't have the money, no controller.

Depending on where your overflow is located, and if you're strapped for cash you could get away with a 1500 with the mag-12 if positioned just right.

[JxMetal]

Get 2 820's. I need to be running 2 820's. But I'm too poor and am running an 820 and a 620.

[Reggae Fish]

If your overflow is in the center you could point 2 of the 1100's or 820's right at each other and use your loclines for any dead spots. Shouldn't be overkill. Ask chadfarmer. I think he has 47 Tunze 6100's in his tank

But also depends on what you are keeping

[JxMetal]

a 1500. no way man, you'll have stuff flying everywhere. there's just not enough length in your tank to let the water disperse. An 1100 would probably be the same problem. It'll hit the glass and go straight down and boom sand everywhere. They'd only work in a barebottom with a tank that size..

Get the 820's, point them across the tank and you'll have perfect flow.

[latazyo]

yeah, its only 24" across and 18" tall and wide

if I got a medium flow MJ1200 mod would that work better than 2 humungous seios?

or would that MJ still have too much flow

here's a pic of the tank...center overflow, and center rockwork
(the locline in the photo is the old 3/4" stuff)
http://bitz.net/~latazyo/Pics/Aqua/37RR/11202006/front11202006.JPG

[JxMetal]

don't use the MJ either. I'm dead serious, the best you can do is the 820's. my tank is 22" across. When the 820 is pointed straight across the tank with no interference I have sand moving all over. I eventually had to place some rock in the way of the flow to minimize the sand movement. 2 820's would probably give you no dead spots even without the returns from your sump.

[latazyo]

and I'll still have a tank that is softie friendly and fish friendly?

[Im Lon 2]

Could you upgrade you return pump? So you don't have to run 2 Power heads in your tank at all? Have you tired to see how much more flow you get with out the locline? That will reduce a ton of flow to the tank. I wonder if the Eductors would give you added flow from that size pump.

[latazyo]

I have the mag12 (which is about twice as big a pump as I thought I would need originally) cut back via gate valve because it moves so much volume that it floods my tank (I have a single 1" drain)

I am thinking about re-plumbing the return line since I have all of that BS....do you think that the cross (which is no longer necesssary) is holding me back?

here is a shot of all the BS the water goes through just to get into the tank....it is 1" PVC, which then splits into dual 3/4" and then is reduced to 1/2" locline outputs
http://bitz.net/~latazyo/Pics/Aqua/37RR/11202006/loadedsump.JPG

I am thinking about redoing the plumbing from the pump to the tank

if the mag12 has 3/4" outlets, should I plumb it with 3/4" PVC or with 1"?? I thought I heard somewhere that having a larger pipe would help the pump out...not sure if that's true....ultimately it will be reduced to dual 1/2" lines at the tank itself

[Im Lon 2]

Making sure I read what you put right. The pump is bigger than your tank will drain? If that is correct there is no point in redoing the return lines, if the tank will not handle it open full now.

Try the eductors. They are designed to give you more flow by pulling water from the tank as well as from the pump.

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/plumbing/penductor.jpg

I have two of them on my tank, if you want to see how the work.

[JxMetal]

Yes your tank will still be softy friendly with 2 820's

[latazyo]

where do I find eductors?

[Im Lon 2]

contact Thereefstop.com they are not on his site but I'm 99% sure he can get them.

[latazyo]

do you like the eductors?

[levon15]

2 820's ??

His tank is what 30-35 gallons(for argument sake say 32 gallons.)? Two 820's would give him 1640gph in the display. I figure that to be about 51 times the amount of volume in the display. Plus he has a toned down mag 12 throwing say 500gph through the return so now your at a circulation 66 times the size of the display. Am I missing something here?

And he wants softies?

I am really confused. It seems that all of this may be overkill. I think maybe try one 620 or one 820. Seems like a lot of flow in a smaller tank.

[DrBDC]

On my 36" tank 2 1500's were just fine for xenia, anthelia, anything. The wide flow really is much different.

[JxMetal]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8694130#post8694130 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by levon15
2 820's ??

His tank is what 30-35 gallons(for argument sake say 32 gallons.)? Two 820's would give him 1640gph in the display. I figure that to be about 51 times the amount of volume in the display. Plus he has a toned down mag 12 throwing say 500gph through the return so now your at a circulation 66 times the size of the display. Am I missing something here?

And he wants softies?

I am really confused. It seems that all of this may be overkill. I think maybe try one 620 or one 820. Seems like a lot of flow in a smaller tank.

I'm just saying from experience. I can run two 820's ithout a sand storm. My tank is also smaller. 2 820's is much better than the 1500 idea that was thrown around.

[latazyo]

what about a melev style over the back closed loop, or is that just a huge pain in the ***?

how big are the 820s...my original goal was to have no equipment in the display...are these things monsters?

[DrBDC]

the eductors and pendunctors are really made for pressure rated pumps and each one has a minimum required gph. You may want to check into that.

[JxMetal]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8695407#post8695407 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by latazyo
what about a melev style over the back closed loop, or is that just a huge pain in the ***?

how big are the 820s...my original goal was to have no equipment in the display...are these things monsters?

I'd show you mine........but it's hidden in the back behind the rock, so you can't see it. :lol:

[bigmayreefer]

I would say upgrade your drain first so you can use all of the flow your return pump is able to provide before spending money on additional pumps. It will keep the display less cluttered with equipment and all it would cost is the price of the new bulkhead and some bigger pvc. I think in the long run if you are going for a clean look without equipment showing this would be the best way- plus you will be getting your moneys worth out of that mag12. If you still feel you have a dead spot after fixing your drain you can always hide a mj1200 somewhere behind the rockwork.

[latazyo]

true...but...how do I bore out my drain when the tank is full and running with live rock and sand, etc?

[Im Lon 2]

Good Point! But I would have to say all in all you would be much happier in the long run.

Not sure you could even make the hole bigger, if it was not setup. How hard would it be to take it down and drill another hole.

I know something you don't want to hear, but if you don't want the extra power heads in your tank, that is the best way to get more flow.

[latazyo]

my overflow is too small..its only 6x4 about....the drain is 1"...which is fine

600 gph through my sump is plenty...I just need velocity in the tank for the corals

I am th inking the dual 820s might be ok.....unfortunately it appears that they can not be run on the controller

[JxMetal]

why would you need a controller? they won't be too powerful

[Letmegrow]

I would do a maxijet 1200 mod.

[latazyo]

controller for some variant wavemaking function

mid or high flow, steve

[DrBDC]

You know you could still do a mjmod. The flow rate is dependant upon the propeller used. There are tons of different sized ones and they are really cheap so you could buy a half dozen different sizes to try out.

[latazyo]

leaning towards the MJ mod since I have one on hand....maybe I can mod the shroud to reduce flow, or else get a different prop

we'll see....I am thinking that one will be enough since I want a mixed tank Ill have high flow and low flow areas

[JxMetal]

I believe steve is joking....I hope. You're going to hate yourself for putting a MJ mod in that tank, mid or high.

[DrBDC]

With the right prop on there you could probably pick any gph as low as you wanted. It just might take a few different try's.

[JxMetal]

Why would you bother? The mj mods are larger than the 820's. Approximately the sme price as well.

[Letmegrow]

I would put a high flow in there. No joke.

[latazyo]

I have MJs sitting around, so I only need the mod for like 20 bucks, instead of $50x2 for the seios

[JxMetal]

alright, it's your tank.

[MayoBoy]

Mag 5 or 7 on a closed loop with a SQWD or OM Squirt.

[DrBDC]

What about this with a stronger pump

http://www.melevsreef.com/closedloop.html

[latazyo]

well I added just a regular MJ

I might modify it by drilling some holes in the cover to allow for faster intake, but so far it is better


I have the wide flow attachment on it, so its not so bad, basically its positioned on the left side panel halfway towards the front and is pointing around the corner of the rocks onto the front glass...

since I dont have any corals, its kind of tough to tell where there is high flow on the rocks, etc, but the water column is moving

so after I add some corals we'll have to see