LF peninsula tank build input

[bks]

Hello there

Planning a 120g 4'x2'x2' peninsula.
On panel where plumbing will reside, have an eshopps prodigy L.
I'm not necessarily looking to keep many/any SPS but would like to be able to have some. But this should not have a significant impact on design.
I am looking to use a sand substrate (~1.5" depth).

Challenge 1: I have read that peninsula's are prone to surface slime. Since powerheads on same side as the overflow prevent service collection. And no one wants to place anything on opposite end if possible.
Challenge 2: I have also read that blasting pumps too hard, apart from damaging coral, leaves sand overly distrubed.

Note - I plan to place my return over the center of overflow box pointing ~15 degrees downwards

Plan (Flow): Two Jacod ECP Intelligent Cross Flwo Wave Makers (ECP-120M or ECP150M) placed vertically on either side of the overflow box. Sync'd to run one at a time every 20mins. FYI...

ECP-120M = 1585 to 3962 gph
ECP-150M = 2324 to 5811 gph

Plan (Sand): Apply mixture of sand blending the finer grain towards the overflow end and the larger grain in opposite end.
- CaribSea Live Sand Special Grade Arag-Alive (1.0mm to 2.0mm) - put in same end as overflow box
- CaribSea Ocean Direct Original Grade (0.25mm to 6.5mm) - put more in end opposite overflow box

Looking for any advice, especially from those that have or have had peninsula tanks.
In particular seeking:
- gyre flow idea and required GPH should this be a good design?
- sand stability given the required GPH to avoid surface skim?

Thanks kindly, bks

ps - I'm quite new to R2R so if better forum for this let me know

 

[Fish Fan]

Hey, #reefsquad

Can we take a look at this member's plan and offer some suggestions please

 

[Rocks reef]

@Troylee has a sweet peninsula tank! He can offer suggestions on powerhead/wavemaker placement.
As far as surface film, running an overflow and having good water movement will prevent this. All tanks are prone to this without having adequate flow.

 

[tbrown]

@Slocke and @danieyella may be able to offer some advice for Peninsula tank flow as well.

 

[danieyella]

I have a power head on either side of the overflow end and a gyre on the far end. Had to monitor and make some adjustments to rock work because the flow was getting interrupted.

 

[BryanM]

Can I ask why the mixed size sand? Personally I would just use the special grade and avoid the fines.

 

[bks]

I have a power head on either side of the overflow end and a gyre on the far end. Had to monitor and make some adjustments to rock work because the flow was getting interrupted.

Was trying to avoid any pumps at opposite end. I think in the end I'll have to wait for my aquascape and tank to be setup and make adjustments as I go. I thought there may be some common do's and don'ts that might apply to my situation but perhaps not.
Thx bks

 

[bks]

Can I ask why the mixed size sand? Personally I would just use the special grade and avoid the fines.

Good question. And I'm not sure what's best.

I was planning to go with CaribSea Live Sand Special Grade Arag-Alive only. However I only have dry rock and I listened to several BRS videos re: cycling and their best results came from using some Ocean Direct Original rather than the live sand (e.g. special grade) advertising specific strains of nitrifying bacteria. Ocean Direct is harvested directly from ocean and delivered in ocean water (so they say). But the grain size is fine to large. Hence the idea of splitting them so that the fine grains would be least impacted by flow in the far end.

However, unless someone thinks this is a bad idea, I now think I will switch the location of the Ocean Direct in the same end as overflow box (least impacted by strong gyre flow), and the Special Grade in the other end.

Will the fine grains of the Ocean Direct still get blown around you think?

 

[Slocke]

For surface flow, make it so that the flow on the center goes straight out in a narrow channel and then put your other powerheads low and on the sides. This should create low that returns on the sides if your tank is like mine and has slots on the side of the weir box.
Top view

 

[bks]

For surface flow, make it so that the flow on the center goes straight out in a narrow channel and then put your other powerheads low and on the sides. This should create low that returns on the sides if your tank is like mine and has slots on the side of the weir box.
Top view

My weir (eshopps prodigy L) is very narrow and slots in front. That’s why I am hoping to send a gyre flow using vertical gyre pump down front of glass hoping it will return to weir along back panel. Tank is only 4’ so am hoping this is possible in practice?

 

[bks]

Can I ask why the mixed size sand? Personally I would just use the special grade and avoid the fines.

I went to my LFS and looked at the bag of Ocean Direct. I was envisioning a much more coarse substrate but but it looks to be mostly less than 0.5 mm which I think will cause a problem for the amount of flow I want to put down the front pane of display tank.

I'm a little disappointed though because I have a feeling the OD is a better choice for cycling a new tank. Bummer.

Thx for your input.

 

[Troylee]

In the beginning you can get away with only having wave makers on the overflow side but as the tank grows out there’s no way to not have something on the viewing end.. unless you wanna do a closed loop and drill the bottom on the far end which I wish I did but didn’t have time and was in a hurry! Mine is 36Wx72Lx24T

 

[bks]

In the beginning you can get away with only having wave makers on the overflow side but as the tank grows out there’s no way to not have something on the viewing end.. unless you wanna do a closed loop and drill the bottom on the far end which I wish I did but didn’t have time and was in a hurry! Mine is 36Wx72Lx24T

Thx for sharing. Good to know. Makes sense as corals grow out over years (especially with SPS dom) that they create more obstacles to restrict flow and they require more flow. They should offer closed loop as an option with packaged, larger peninsula tanks. gorgeous tank sir - i'm sure you've heard that before.

As I design my 4' 120g peninsula tank I am frustrated with some of the obstacles, but enjoying the challenge and learning so much. Sometimes I think I should have bought the package but how much fun would that be.

Maybe if I stick to softy/LPS mostly I'll be able to get away with a clear viewing end a little longer. By then I'll be ready for the next step if all goes well enough. Cheers bks

ps - one question - do you have your return directed away from your weir on the overflow side? If I put my gyres on either side of my overvlow, I have to put the return somewhere and was thinking of putting it in front of weir pointing down about 15 degrees or so but not sure if that's a crazy move.