IM 40L Flow Q

[Anna K]

Hello all!

I am so fed up with the Hexagon disaster of a tank that I have (everything is still alive, but I just can't get flow correct in it), that I purchased the IM 40L yesterday morning.
I don't want to have the same issue with flow, since now that's become a continues nightmare), and I think having a tank in a normal... shape.. is going to help quite a bit.

However, I have seen things about either adding just a wavemaker, or a wavemaker and a powerhead, or just powerheads, and I'm just like "what is best"???

So here is my mockup of where I'd place a wavemaker (4K Gyre Flow Pump) and a powerhead. Would that be sufficient flow do you think?
I can change their two nozzle up at top to dual heads as well.

or should I change it to be two powerheads? (powerheads are the Fluval Sea CP3, 740gph) but I'm thinking of getting AI Nero 3's.

This is how big the tank is:

Flow, I think, has become my kryptonite and I just don't want to have that issue with this new tank

edit; this will be a mixed reef tank

 

[JoJosReef]

Do you already have the 4K gyre? I used a 3K on my IM 40L, and it was plenty. Then uograded to two xf330s because I wanted two facing each other in sync. Didn't work because one arrived broken. So I just had a single xf330 and that itself provided plenty of flow for the tank, but not quite enough random for my liking. A pair of gyres pointed at each other is ideal in my opinion unless you have the budget for two MP10s or MP40s (or the Jebao versions).

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I have a 40 breeder, similar dimensions to yours, I have 2 x 2k gyres in my tank. They are on opposite ends somewhat pointed towards each other. I also have the return flow, and I just added a small tunze powerhead behind my rocks to get more flow back there.

 

[Anna K]

Do you already have the 4K gyre? I used a 3K on my IM 40L, and it was plenty. Then uograded to two xf330s because I wanted two facing each other in sync. Didn't work because one arrived broken. So I just had a single xf330 and that itself provided plenty of flow for the tank, but not quite enough random for my liking. A pair of gyres pointed at each other is ideal in my opinion unless you have the budget for two MP10s or MP40s (or the Jebao versions).

No I don't have the gyre yet. I think I was following along with your post in another thread that lead my to the gyre actually. I looked for the 3k and couldn't find one available, so they had the 4k available. My husband is against me buying "chinese knockoffs " but I'm not against it if it has good reviews. I'll look more into the Jebao versions available.

I just came across @Huntersreef video on YT with an update on his 40L (1yr ago) with the aeros and that gave me some perspective on where to put them. Thank you Hunter for sharing that look into it.

 

[JoJosReef]

No I don't have the gyre yet. I think I was following along with your post in another thread that lead my to the gyre actually. I looked for the 3k and couldn't find one available, so they had the 4k available. My husband is against me buying "chinese knockoffs " but I'm not against it if it has good reviews. I'll look more into the Jebao versions available.

I just came across @Huntersreef video on YT with an update on his 40L (1yr ago) with the aeros and that gave me some perspective on where to put them. Thank you Hunter for sharing that look into it.

They only have a 2K and a 4K. Btw, both pumps are made by Maxspect ("Jump 2K or 4K"), but are also licensed (presumably) to Ice Cap and AI ("Orbit"). Pros of Ice Cap is that they are set up for Hydros. AI uses their App ecosystem, which costs a 30-40% premium. It's not easy to find original Jump 2Ks, sometimes, so you might be stuck with the other two.

Note: Maxspect also makes the xf330 and xf350 (way too strong) series and two xf330s would also work just fine.