Flow in a 90 gal cube

[Spanky05]

I've read several people talking about flow issues in their 90 gal cube.

What is your setup and what do you think an ideal setup would be?
My main goal is no dead spots. Not going to be heavy SPS

I was likely going to do:
Sicce Syncra Silent 4.0 Pump (951 GPH)
2- MP10's (unsure about positioning)

One thing I was also considering was a Maxspect gyre XF250 and keeping the setting turned super low to avoid noise issues and maybe increase longivity. Unsure about them though as I see such strong opinions about them (both positive and negative).

Anyone feel like they really have the flow nailed in their cube?
If so, please post what you have and the positioning.
Thanks!

 

[sundog101]

I have 2 gyre 130s. Both are vertically mounted and seem to work really well.

 

[Spanky05]

I have 2 gyre 130s. Both are vertically mounted and seem to work really well.

That's an interesting setup.

Never thought of setting them up on the overflow in a vertical fashion.

That definitely helps with the aesthetics.

I've heard the 130s can be noisy. How high do you have yours and would you recommend them?

 

[shakinghorizons]

I had 2 Tunze 6095's in my 90 cube but recent went the way of a 3k gyre. The Tunze's are amazing, but the spread on the gyre just works SO much better in a cube - I have mine max out at 60% a couple times a day.

 

[Trickman2]

Not sure why you would go with MP10s if you decide to go that route? Mp40s I think would be smarter.

 

[sundog101]

That's an interesting setup.

Never thought of setting them up on the overflow in a vertical fashion.

That definitely helps with the aesthetics.

I've heard the 130s can be noisy. How high do you have yours and would you recommend them?

Yes, you hardly notice them in the tank. The highest they run is about 75%. At that flow you do hear them some, but it’s not that bad in my opinion.

One has run great, but the other gives me a little trouble. It shuts off sometimes and I have to reset it. It’s one of the older pumps anyway and probably needs to be replaced. Overall I would highly recommend them; the flow is great!

 

[Spanky05]

I had 2 Tunze 6095's in my 90 cube but recent went the way of a 3k gyre. The Tunze's are amazing, but the spread on the gyre just works SO much better in a cube - I have mine max out at 60% a couple times a day.

Why did you choose an icecap over the maxspect?

 

[Spanky05]

Not sure why you would go with MP10s if you decide to go that route? Mp40s I think would be smarter.

Because I already have one MP10 so I was hoping I could make it work [emoji28]

And that whole money thing...[emoji6]

 

[shakinghorizons]

Why did you choose an icecap over the maxspect?

I did a ton of research and didn't see any more issues with icecap than I did maxspect, so I figured I would save some coin.

 

[dkevink]

I use a syncra 3.0 return pump and 2 fluval cp4 in back top corners. My cube may be custom a custom 90 gallon cube, I bought it used, made with starfire glass. Very heavy. This tank is my best tank.

 

[Tmm87]

I run an MP40 and an MP10 on my 60 cube. I was running an XF230 and had to keep it extremely low or else I got a sandstorm.

I could have made two MP10s work on my 60 but opted for the MP40 as the second pump in case I end up swapping to a larger tank.

For a 90 I'd definitely go with two MP40s or two XF250 (or Icecap equivalent) since you're not going to be focusing on SPS. You can dial them down to keep things quiet and still get ample flow in the tank.

 

[Spanky05]

I run an MP40 and an MP10 on my 60 cube. I was running an XF230 and had to keep it extremely low or else I got a sandstorm.

I could have made two MP10s work on my 60 but opted for the MP40 as the second pump in case I end up swapping to a larger tank.

For a 90 I'd definitely go with two MP40s or two XF250 (or Icecap equivalent) since you're not going to be focusing on SPS. You can dial them down to keep things quiet and still get ample flow in the tank.

You think I would need 2 of the 250's?

I was seeing most folks saying that having one XF250 would likely be overkill. Is the reason you're recommending 2 so that the flow would be equally distributed?

 

[Spanky05]

Yes, you hardly notice them in the tank. The highest they run is about 75%. At that flow you do hear them some, but it’s not that bad in my opinion.

One has run great, but the other gives me a little trouble. It shuts off sometimes and I have to reset it. It’s one of the older pumps anyway and probably needs to be replaced. Overall I would highly recommend them; the flow is great!

In your opinion, would I be better off with 2 130's or 1 250?

 

[Tmm87]

You think I would need 2 of the 250's?

I was seeing most folks saying that having one XF250 would likely be overkill. Is the reason you're recommending 2 so that the flow would be equally distributed?

Two would definitely be overkill but you won't get the most out of your pump with just one. You can do a reverse current but it doesn't push nearly as strong in reverse. You could probably run 230s and be just fine, but I always try and future proof to a degree which was why I suggested the 250s.

 

[sundog101]

In your opinion, would I be better off with 2 130's or 1 250?

I can only speak for the 130’s. You would need two of those. A single 250 may work just as good, Ive never had one though so I’m not sure of the flow. I would imagine it would be adequate.