Water movement advice

Ignitros · 01/17/2018, 01:45 AM

I am currently working on a Fluval M90 mixed reef tank. Eventually I'd like to have a little of everything in there... Softies, LPS, SPS, leathers, anemone. It's about 36 total gallons with dimensions of 35" width x 16" height x 12" depth. I am looking at a new Maxspect Turbine Duo TD-6K return pump which is about 1000 gallons per hour max but turning it down to about 30% and a pair of Maxspect Gyre XF230, one on either side of the tank also turned down to about 30% flow.

Am I going to be okay? Too much, not enough, better options available for the price?

I'm looking at $520 for all 3 Maxspect products because my friend is selling them to me at his cost.... He's a dealer so anything else I get would be full retail more than likely unless he can get it as well.

mcgyvr · 01/17/2018, 08:42 AM

You want 3-10x display tank size in GPH for return pump flow..
You want 30-50x (low/medium flow) up to 100x (high flow for SPS) in a tank as the total flow in a tank (return plus poweheads).

plain and simple starting point..

jda · 01/17/2018, 10:39 AM

Most folks are not happy with gyre flow alone... too static. Some are fine with it. I personally would use a few random flow pumps along with one gyre.

AquaMedic EcoDrift are not too expensive and are a nice bridge between the cheap China stuff and the really nice, but expensive German and American stuff. I have some running for going on three years - this is not very long for a Tunze, so I have no idea if I cannot them reliable, or not, yet.

Ignitros · 01/17/2018, 11:04 PM

I'm planning on checking out the alternating flow as well as the random flow settings. I believe they also have a full 24 hour reef preset that sounds interesting.

01/17/2018, 01:45 AM	#1
Ignitros Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 4	Water movement advice I am currently working on a Fluval M90 mixed reef tank. Eventually I'd like to have a little of everything in there... Softies, LPS, SPS, leathers, anemone. It's about 36 total gallons with dimensions of 35" width x 16" height x 12" depth. I am looking at a new Maxspect Turbine Duo TD-6K return pump which is about 1000 gallons per hour max but turning it down to about 30% and a pair of Maxspect Gyre XF230, one on either side of the tank also turned down to about 30% flow. Am I going to be okay? Too much, not enough, better options available for the price? I'm looking at $520 for all 3 Maxspect products because my friend is selling them to me at his cost.... He's a dealer so anything else I get would be full retail more than likely unless he can get it as well.

01/17/2018, 08:42 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	You want 3-10x display tank size in GPH for return pump flow.. You want 30-50x (low/medium flow) up to 100x (high flow for SPS) in a tank as the total flow in a tank (return plus poweheads). plain and simple starting point.. __________________ Who me?

01/17/2018, 10:39 AM	#3
jda Dogmatic Dinosaur Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 6,256	Most folks are not happy with gyre flow alone... too static. Some are fine with it. I personally would use a few random flow pumps along with one gyre. AquaMedic EcoDrift are not too expensive and are a nice bridge between the cheap China stuff and the really nice, but expensive German and American stuff. I have some running for going on three years - this is not very long for a Tunze, so I have no idea if I cannot them reliable, or not, yet.

01/17/2018, 11:04 PM	#4
Ignitros Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 4	I'm planning on checking out the alternating flow as well as the random flow settings. I believe they also have a full 24 hour reef preset that sounds interesting.