96” x 48” growout tank. Flow?

[reefertown]

Hi all,

I’m putting together a 96” x 48” x 16” 3/4” glass grow out tank.

It’s peninsula style, one internal overflow box on the peninsula side.

I’m considering a closed loop. What are everyone’s thoughts on design/layout?

If not closed loop, what would you do for flow?

 

[TX_REEF]

gyres are phenomenal for shallow long tanks

 

[reefertown]

Thanks! Would you consider a closed loop in addition to gyres?

 

[TX_REEF]

I’ve never run a closed loop, so I can’t intelligently opine there. Sorry!

 

[Gill the 3rd]

Are you ok with seeing power heads on the left side of your tank, opposite your overflow, or do you want a clean look?

 

[X-37B]

A couple sea sweeps on the overflow side would work well.
They would work with a closed loop plus nothing mounted on the tanks walls.
This is one on my new build im working on for reference.

 

[jda]

If you don't care about how ugly stuff is, return pumps set in the corner make excellent flow and are cheap. You can also use them for other things in emergencies. I do this a lot since I don't care enough about looks in some tanks to spend more than $40 on a water movement - anybody seen what a Mag 9.5 does as a powerhead?

 

[reefertown]

gyres are phenomenal for shallow long tanks

Thanks, how would you lay them out? I’d like to avoid any on the peninsula side if possible.

 

[reefertown]

Are you ok with seeing power heads on the left side of your tank, opposite your overflow, or do you want a clean look?

Preferably not, but if I have to then I’d probably ditch the closed loop altogether (if the peninsula side is ruined with even 1 powerhead) and add more powerheads on the peninsula side

 

[TX_REEF]

Thanks, how would you lay them out? I’d like to avoid any on the peninsula side if possible.

you could put two on the side where the overflow is, one in each corner in vertical orientation.

 

[reefertown]

If you don't care about how ugly stuff is, return pumps set in the corner make excellent flow and are cheap. You can also use them for other things in emergencies. I do this a lot since I don't care enough about looks in some tanks to spend more than $40 on a water movement - anybody seen what a Mag 9.5 does as a powerhead?

I can only imagine the strength of a submerged mag 9.5. Do you modify the output on the pump at all to widen the flow? Or just use the small barb that’s attached to it?

Are you proposing these on the overflow side?

 

[reefertown]

A couple sea sweeps on the overflow side would work well.
They would work with a closed loop plus nothing mounted on the tanks walls.
This is one on my new build im working on for reference.

I like this… I’m going to look into it. How would you lay these out? One on either side of each overflow pointing the long way down the tank?

Would you think that that’s enough + the returns from the overflow? 4 “currents” in total

Thanks!

 

[reefertown]

you could put two on the side where the overflow is, one in each corner in vertical orientation.

Do you think that’d be enough for the whole tank?

 

[TX_REEF]

I'd think so if you choose appropriately powerful units, what are you planning to grow?

 

[TX_REEF]

these move 4k gph each and at 12" tall should fit fine

Jump 4K Gyre Flow Pump (4,000 GPH)

Eliminate Deadspots with 24-Hour Programmable Laminar Flow Superior crossflow technology Achieve full, evenly-distributed circulation with minimal deadspots Near-silent operation with Sine Wave technology Can be mounted vertically or horizontally Controller included with large LCD display Fully...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[billyocean]

The jebao scp 180s are crazy strong. They claim like 9200 gph...I don't know if it's that much but it's way stronger than my 4ks. Just one moves the water across an 8 foot 300 gallon.

 

[jda]

I can only imagine the strength of a submerged mag 9.5. Do you modify the output on the pump at all to widen the flow? Or just use the small barb that’s attached to it?

Are you proposing these on the overflow side?

I was only really suggesting it if you don't care about looks or anything. Most frag tanks are function over form and the Mags, Sicce, Laguna Max Flo, etc. are really good at moving water and most people don't consider them. If you can hide one anywhere, they can pump.

 

[reefertown]

Ok, I decided on a closed loop. I have attached the layout here. Please let me know if you think it should be changed. My plan is for the 3rd hole from the left to be a 2” intake. The 2nd and 4th hole are 1.5” returns that each split 4 ways to locline. The first hole on the left is a 1.5” return that will be split into 2 outlets once in the tank and sweep across the bottom of the tank the longways to stir up detritus. Plan below, I’m about to place the order. What are your thoughts?

 

[reefertown]

Bump… anyone have any objections to the above before I sign the drawings?

 

[reefertown]

Ok…final design.