Flow suggestions for 56g

lotsoftats · 04/02/2010, 07:46 PM

Hey guys....i am looking for how to get good all around flow for my 56g 30x18x24 mixed reef I will be working on for the next 2-3 months...I know Vortechs will probably be the best choice but they are not in the budget right now.

so other than Vortech's what would be a good pump to go with? since the tank is a taller tank.

I was looking at the new Sicce voyager pumps....any thoughts...this will in the long run be a pretty heavy SPS tank.

njfish77 · 04/02/2010, 08:27 PM

i have the same tank. i had 2 koralis 3s which equaled about 1600 gph, but they were to bulky. now that i have some extra money im switching to an mp10.

lotsoftats · 04/02/2010, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by njfish77

i have the same tank. i had 2 koralis 3s which equaled about 1600 gph, but they were to bulky. now that i have some extra money im switching to an mp10.

did the 3's do a good job of keeping things suspended in the water column up off the sand?...I will upgrade to Vortech's when funds allow.

Johnny C · 04/02/2010, 09:23 PM

I know that the Vortechs are pricey, but with that being said you are probably going to spend $120+ on enough Koralias to run your aquarium. I would definatly consider an MP10, even if it means you need to save a bit longer. JMO

Servillius · 04/02/2010, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lotsoftats

Hey guys....i am looking for how to get good all around flow for my 56g 30x18x24 mixed reef I will be working on for the next 2-3 months...I know Vortechs will probably be the best choice but they are not in the budget right now.

so other than Vortech's what would be a good pump to go with? since the tank is a taller tank.

I was looking at the new Sicce voyager pumps....any thoughts...this will in the long run be a pretty heavy SPS tank.

I have the oceanic 56g and I'm using an MP20 and a 900 gph return. If you ask me, I think it needs an upgrade to an MP40 or perhaps a second 20. I love those things.

That said, my brother in law is running 2 of the big koralia's on his 50g and they do a fairly nice job.

woody283 · 04/02/2010, 10:11 PM

On my 65g ive got 2 k4s and 700 gph return and it seems to be okay, but id like the flow to be more random and may still add a vortech mp 40. the koriala will work but i like to see my sps pylops getting whipped around without a pattern.

Saltyfin · 04/03/2010, 12:15 AM

yeah i would try to save some money and go with MP10s im currently running 2 in a 72bowfront i was running maxijet mods on a quattro wave maker. im loving the vortechs now even more with the new controllers. I figure all the money i spent with the old setup i could have paid for one and a half MP10s. if your strapped for cash and want to get the tank running you could see if you can find some use equipment so you save some dough then work on getting the vortechs

lotsoftats · 04/03/2010, 07:24 AM

Thanks for all the suggestions and help.

anybody using the Sicce Voyager pumps?....they look very interesting.

Ride_The_Walrus · 04/03/2010, 01:27 PM

I have a 3 foot 50 gallon tank with a mag 9.5 and scwd for my return and a koralia 2 and koralia 3 for extra flow. I was running a mag 7 and upgraded recently; in my opinion this is a great setup on a budget. I too fantasize about some mp40s, but my wallet disagrees....for now

Peale · 04/03/2010, 01:37 PM

I don't think an MP10 will be enough flow. I have a 65g and tried the MP20 and it was WAY too small. I got the MP40W upgrade kit and when it is on Reef Crest full power, it is the perfect amount of flow.

Imzadi · 04/03/2010, 04:05 PM

I have a 55g, with a mag 9.5 return, and 2 x K3s on the outside, and a K4 in the center. I don't like the look of stuff in my tank like that, and no chance I will ever afford a MPanything, so I hid them behind my rockwork, and you can't even barely see them. I love the way it looks. I got the 2 K3s on the side aiming at each other, and the K4 in the center aiming foward. It is a bit of a cyclone, but the two k3s turbulate in the middle where they meet, and cuz enough ramdomization that I think I got good flow. If I feed some flake, and forget to turn off the power, the snowstorm in the tank shows me a descent pattern of flow... It's cool, really. Now if I could afford corals, I would be in business! lol

04/02/2010, 07:46 PM	#1
lotsoftats Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: 40356 Posts: 1,147	Flow suggestions for 56g Hey guys....i am looking for how to get good all around flow for my 56g 30x18x24 mixed reef I will be working on for the next 2-3 months...I know Vortechs will probably be the best choice but they are not in the budget right now. so other than Vortech's what would be a good pump to go with? since the tank is a taller tank. I was looking at the new Sicce voyager pumps....any thoughts...this will in the long run be a pretty heavy SPS tank. __________________ Current Tanks: 40 breeder with 40 breeder sump/fuge

04/02/2010, 09:23 PM	#4
Johnny C Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 4,140	I know that the Vortechs are pricey, but with that being said you are probably going to spend $120+ on enough Koralias to run your aquarium. I would definatly consider an MP10, even if it means you need to save a bit longer. JMO __________________ "...the sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonders forever" -Jacques Cousteau

04/02/2010, 10:11 PM	#6
woody283 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Hustisford WI Posts: 132	On my 65g ive got 2 k4s and 700 gph return and it seems to be okay, but id like the flow to be more random and may still add a vortech mp 40. the koriala will work but i like to see my sps pylops getting whipped around without a pattern. __________________ If all else fails, use a bigger hammer. Current Tank Info: 30 gallon cube SPS, 65g sps in the works (slowly but surely)

04/03/2010, 07:24 AM	#8
lotsoftats Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: 40356 Posts: 1,147	Thanks for all the suggestions and help. anybody using the Sicce Voyager pumps?....they look very interesting. __________________ Current Tanks: 40 breeder with 40 breeder sump/fuge

04/03/2010, 04:05 PM	#11
Imzadi Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 1,038	I have a 55g, with a mag 9.5 return, and 2 x K3s on the outside, and a K4 in the center. I don't like the look of stuff in my tank like that, and no chance I will ever afford a MPanything, so I hid them behind my rockwork, and you can't even barely see them. I love the way it looks. I got the 2 K3s on the side aiming at each other, and the K4 in the center aiming foward. It is a bit of a cyclone, but the two k3s turbulate in the middle where they meet, and cuz enough ramdomization that I think I got good flow. If I feed some flake, and forget to turn off the power, the snowstorm in the tank shows me a descent pattern of flow... It's cool, really. Now if I could afford corals, I would be in business! lol __________________ If you don't agree with me, that's fine... just go, think about it some more, and come back when you do. Current Tank Info: 120g Freshie, 55g salty with a 2/3 BeanAnimal. BA METHOD - TESTIFY! I am a DIY Disaster, but I am saving money! Damsel FREE since 07/08/09!

04/02/2010, 08:27 PM	#2
njfish77 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bergen County, NJ Posts: 584	i have the same tank. i had 2 koralis 3s which equaled about 1600 gph, but they were to bulky. now that i have some extra money im switching to an mp10.

04/03/2010, 12:15 AM	#7
Saltyfin Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: grand prairie, TX Posts: 56	yeah i would try to save some money and go with MP10s im currently running 2 in a 72bowfront i was running maxijet mods on a quattro wave maker. im loving the vortechs now even more with the new controllers. I figure all the money i spent with the old setup i could have paid for one and a half MP10s. if your strapped for cash and want to get the tank running you could see if you can find some use equipment so you save some dough then work on getting the vortechs

04/03/2010, 01:27 PM	#9
Ride_The_Walrus Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: San Francisco Posts: 27	I have a 3 foot 50 gallon tank with a mag 9.5 and scwd for my return and a koralia 2 and koralia 3 for extra flow. I was running a mag 7 and upgraded recently; in my opinion this is a great setup on a budget. I too fantasize about some mp40s, but my wallet disagrees....for now

04/03/2010, 01:37 PM	#10
Peale Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vermont Posts: 296	I don't think an MP10 will be enough flow. I have a 65g and tried the MP20 and it was WAY too small. I got the MP40W upgrade kit and when it is on Reef Crest full power, it is the perfect amount of flow.