Waterflow question

I'm having trouble getting enough waterflow in my 130 gallon corner bowfront. Does anyone have any suggestions for pumps and pump placement in a tank that shape?

 

What are you doing for flow now?

 

2 JBJ 1600 GPH wavemakers, a maxijet 1200 in wavemaker mode and some cheapo wavemaker from ebay.

 

So you're looking at around 3800 gph? Seems like that might be enough. How are they set up in the tank now? What problems are you encountering?

 

It just seems like stuff tends to settle out pretty easily. I have the JBJs along the straight sides close to the bowed front maybe 12"-15" from the bottom. The other 2 pumps are more or less facing each other towards the back/top. I just think the JBJs are rated a little higher than they actually are.

 

How much live rock is in there?

 

Not sure exactly how much. Probably 100-150 lbs. I can try to get a picture tonight.

 

I was having an issue like the one your having. It was causing stuff to pile up. I think it was because I piled my live rock too close and didn't leave space.

 

What are you running for a return pump?

 

Its a 3600 GPH pump running from my sump in the basement so I'm not sure what it calculates out to.

 

You've got an internal turnover rate of about 29X which isnt bad but it isnt alot of flow. What Kind of tank are you trying to keep? FOWLR, Softies, lps, sps?

 

I have some of everything right now but I'm trying to focus on sps from now on.

 

How far from the sump to the display tank?
How many elbows?
Depending on how long of run & elbows you could have significant head loss, same thing goes on your drain going back down, if that's doesn't drain freely you will restrict the flow process, normally you can tell by watching the drains on your overflows to see if the water flows down smoothly or pushes back in the tank at times....That could impact what you are trying to do with the Powerheads...

 

I've never seen it push back into the tank. None of it is plumped with pvc so there aren't any sharp turns in the drain or return. the return line is black hose used for ponds. if I had to guess I'd say 11-12 feet.

 

you should never count your return as part of your flow, it is really negligible amount of water being moved.

 

Id add a couple more power heads, maybe two of the koralia evo 1050's

 

Would I need a special controller for a koralia evo 1050?

 

My honest advice would be to get rid of what you are currently using and get vortechs.

 

Is there anything with similar flow that wouldn't require me to sell one of my kids to afford?