Smartest 55G Aquascape & Pump Layout

thebanker · 02/16/2010, 02:58 AM

Since I have to move my tank in about 12 days, I have an opportunity to completely remodel my standard 55 gallon.

How should I aquascape the tank to produce the most efficient flow characteristics? Someone must have perfected it by now for a standard 55 tank. Do I leave equal space between the LR and all the acrylic panes? How should I arrange my powerheads? I really want to use four Koralia 1's, since I already have two. I'm thinking about creating an alternating gyre, by firing two K1's at a time connected to a wavemaker timer.

Buying an MP40 is not an option.

thebanker · 02/16/2010, 03:01 AM

For reference it will remain sumpless, and will be connected to the following filtration schematic: a magnetically attached Calfo overflow using a slotted acrylic box in the tank's upper left corner. Inside the box will sit the Rio pump for my phosban reactor, and a u-tube for a canister/hob. The canister will be outfit with interchangeable sponge filters* and bags of GAC. The overflow box will be on the tank's left side, and the returns for the canister and phosban reactor will be on the right. My skimmer will continue to be independently run by it's own water pump. I may go with a sump later on, but for now overflow boxes scare me.

* I have a diamond goby; I need a mechanical filter or my tank looks like a snowglobe.

02/16/2010, 02:58 AM	#1
thebanker Moved On Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Socal Posts: 2,315	Smartest 55G Aquascape & Pump Layout Since I have to move my tank in about 12 days, I have an opportunity to completely remodel my standard 55 gallon. How should I aquascape the tank to produce the most efficient flow characteristics? Someone must have perfected it by now for a standard 55 tank. Do I leave equal space between the LR and all the acrylic panes? How should I arrange my powerheads? I really want to use four Koralia 1's, since I already have two. I'm thinking about creating an alternating gyre, by firing two K1's at a time connected to a wavemaker timer. Buying an MP40 is not an option.

02/16/2010, 03:01 AM	#2
thebanker Moved On Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Socal Posts: 2,315	For reference it will remain sumpless, and will be connected to the following filtration schematic: a magnetically attached Calfo overflow using a slotted acrylic box in the tank's upper left corner. Inside the box will sit the Rio pump for my phosban reactor, and a u-tube for a canister/hob. The canister will be outfit with interchangeable sponge filters* and bags of GAC. The overflow box will be on the tank's left side, and the returns for the canister and phosban reactor will be on the right. My skimmer will continue to be independently run by it's own water pump. I may go with a sump later on, but for now overflow boxes scare me. * I have a diamond goby; I need a mechanical filter or my tank looks like a snowglobe.