tank remodel

[loohunter]

we bought our tank used and i absolutley hate the way it is set up.my main gripe is the lack of random flow. i have 2 ampmaster 3000 to work with and a center overflow.the tank is 72x26x26. i was thinking of running both ampmasters as closed loops on each side of the overflow with each pump controlled by some sort of wave maker, however i am wonderingif that is too much flow. around 5-6 thousand gph. so iam looking for opinions. please help me design this thing

 

[Pikachu]

6000gph is about right for that size of tank to keep most corals with success. You should go with a couple of 4 way OM , that would be nice.

 

[loohunter]

i just checked out the om website and man those things are spendy. very cool though, but iam trying to get by a bit cheaper. now lets keep the ideas coming

 

[loohunter]

come on folks give me some ideas

 

[Krish]

I think that would be great flow as well for that sized tank. IMO you will have to go with a Oceans motions or Motorized ball valve if you want switching currents, but if price is an issue, maybe you can use do your standard closed loop, but branch off to some sea-swirls to provide you with a bit of random flow. Charlie used a few on his 180gal and was pretty happy with them if I remember correctly and I've used one before and was quite happy with it. Also, they have the wavy sea now (in black and white) similar to the sea-swirl but it has a controller to set how you want the head to rotate etc. Here's a link to a few of them. http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=Wavemaking

 

[loohunter]

i was thinking instead of the mbv i could use a timer to control the 2 pumps and i was thinking of sort of copying what mojo did for nikki's tank with like 6 outputs per pump

 

[Krish]

Nikki used a MBV if I remember correctly...I'll dig up the thread. Also, I don't think a pump like an ampmaster can be put on a timer as it may kill the life of the pump rather quickly depending on how closely the pump is shut off and turned on. Only certain pumps are recommended to be put on a timer that alternate rather quickly..

 

[Krish]

Yeah...If this is the tank you are talking about, they used a MBV. If going with a timer, did you plan on having one pump run for so many minutes then shut off and vice versa or were you thinking a few seconds in between?

 

[loohunter]

yes that is the idea, but i want to use 1 pump for 1 side and another pump for the other side. i thought that with a timer it would take the place of that expensive ball valve

 

[Krish]

Yeah, but that pump may not last very long if it is shut off and on rather quickly like a MBV is set up to do. If it were that easy, then no-one would use a MBV I'd double check it, but I honestly doubt you can put an ampmaster on a timer to have it turn off and on every few seconds continuously

 

[loohunter]

krish you bring up a very good point i am trying to find info on that right now

 

[Krish]

I was looking for a manual as well(LOL) I think Don (DonW) may be able to help as he uses ampmater pumps on his closed loop, but I see he isn't online now...

 

[Reefdaddy1]

Well Iam no master by any means, But for most pumps it is not recomended to turn on and off frequently. I would spend the money in the shirt term to get longterm results. Get the MBV and call it even, Or possibly buy multiple pumps. Turning off a closed loop for nite calm is not bad, but a a MBV is much more effective for day flo

 

[loohunter]

so how would i incororate 2 pumps with one valve or would i need 2 of them

 

[Krish]

Maybe you can just use one pump on a MVB to switch currents between the 2 sides of the tank for the random flow and then use the other one straight out to maybe fill in the gaps, provide surface aggitation, and add extra circulation. Just a thought...

 

[loohunter]

works for me thanks for all the feedback. i was hoping you would chime in

 

[Krish]

No prob!!! Good luck with the tank and the little one on the way!