60 Shallow SPS Barebottom Flow

DaytonaJoe · 12/15/2012, 12:11 AM

I recently converted my 48''x24''x12'' tank to barebottom and I'm finding that the flow is not enough to keep the majority of detritus from settling on the bottom. I am using 2x MP10wES (they were transferred from a 30g when I upgraded). Do you think I'd be better off adding a directional powerhead like a korallia or tunze and aiming it towards the bottom? Or should I add an MP40 and move one of the MP10s to the back? My rockwork is fairly minimal and centered as a sort of long narrow island, not particularly close to any of the walls. It seems conducive to good flow.

While I have your attention, my Vertex IN100 has been kind of a pain to keep consistent and it's noisy to boot. It's also leftover from my 30g. Any recommendations for a powerful, quiet skimmer for this type of tank?

Ron Reefman · 12/15/2012, 05:24 AM

Adding a small Korallia to blow at the bottom should work and would sure be a lot cheaper than upgrading the MP10's to MP40's.

laredo300c · 12/15/2012, 06:44 AM

the only reason i would use mp10s for this tank intead of mp40s is the sand being blown on 12". , you dont have any

as far as koralias, for this size tank, you will need several ( maybe four, two on each side ) pushing at the bottom and keeping your mp10's. cheaper yes, but not very atrractive , especially on your custom size tank.

pkirby · 12/15/2012, 06:51 AM

it's a guessing game, but I don't think you would need 4 koralias! I imagine 1 Evo 1400 pushing the bottom would be more than enough to keep everything suspended. Definitely cheaper than an mp40.

that said, I think a mp40 is better sized for your tank than the MP10's considering you're building an SPS tank.

gbru316 · 12/15/2012, 08:33 AM

2 mp10's roughly equal 1 mp40 in terms of water movement, and have the ability to create more dynamic flow as well.

Ideally, 2 mp40's would be best, but they aren't necessary.

OP, I have 150x turnover in my bb 10g nano and I still have detritus settle on the bottom. It doesn't bother me that much, if it's in a pile on the bottom, I know its not trapped anywhere else. Just remove it several times a week using a piece of airline tubing as a siphon.

DaytonaJoe · 12/15/2012, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbru316

2 mp10's roughly equal 1 mp40 in terms of water movement, and have the ability to create more dynamic flow as well.

Ideally, 2 mp40's would be best, but they aren't necessary.

OP, I have 150x turnover in my bb 10g nano and I still have detritus settle on the bottom. It doesn't bother me that much, if it's in a pile on the bottom, I know its not trapped anywhere else. Just remove it several times a week using a piece of airline tubing as a siphon.

I know you can't completely avoid it, but I am getting a lot of settling, and in many different places. I want to be able to get it out from under the rocks. I just ordered an acrylic rod that I plan on attaching an airline tube and bending the last 3 inches of about 45 degrees - for siphoning.

I think I'm going to see if I can find someone to buy my MP10s and if so, I'll buy a pair of MP40s, especially if there's a christmas sale

12/15/2012, 12:11 AM	#1
DaytonaJoe Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Warwick, Rhode Island Posts: 201	60 Shallow SPS Barebottom Flow I recently converted my 48''x24''x12'' tank to barebottom and I'm finding that the flow is not enough to keep the majority of detritus from settling on the bottom. I am using 2x MP10wES (they were transferred from a 30g when I upgraded). Do you think I'd be better off adding a directional powerhead like a korallia or tunze and aiming it towards the bottom? Or should I add an MP40 and move one of the MP10s to the back? My rockwork is fairly minimal and centered as a sort of long narrow island, not particularly close to any of the walls. It seems conducive to good flow. While I have your attention, my Vertex IN100 has been kind of a pain to keep consistent and it's noisy to boot. It's also leftover from my 30g. Any recommendations for a powerful, quiet skimmer for this type of tank? __________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Joe's tank in progress... 60g Shallow SPS reef

12/15/2012, 05:24 AM	#2
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	Adding a small Korallia to blow at the bottom should work and would sure be a lot cheaper than upgrading the MP10's to MP40's. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

12/15/2012, 06:44 AM	#3
laredo300c Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: laredo tx Posts: 646	the only reason i would use mp10s for this tank intead of mp40s is the sand being blown on 12". , you dont have any as far as koralias, for this size tank, you will need several ( maybe four, two on each side ) pushing at the bottom and keeping your mp10's. cheaper yes, but not very atrractive , especially on your custom size tank.

12/15/2012, 06:51 AM	#4
pkirby Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 408	it's a guessing game, but I don't think you would need 4 koralias! I imagine 1 Evo 1400 pushing the bottom would be more than enough to keep everything suspended. Definitely cheaper than an mp40. that said, I think a mp40 is better sized for your tank than the MP10's considering you're building an SPS tank.

12/15/2012, 08:33 AM	#5
gbru316 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Lancaster,PA Posts: 1,720	2 mp10's roughly equal 1 mp40 in terms of water movement, and have the ability to create more dynamic flow as well. Ideally, 2 mp40's would be best, but they aren't necessary. OP, I have 150x turnover in my bb 10g nano and I still have detritus settle on the bottom. It doesn't bother me that much, if it's in a pile on the bottom, I know its not trapped anywhere else. Just remove it several times a week using a piece of airline tubing as a siphon.