Vortech MP40 pumps

[charlie]

Ok folks, I would like some input from anybody and everybody, I don't care who or what you are, how much experience you have or what, let's chip and see that I did not waste a whole bunch of $$$$$ here. I am sure I didn't, but I like the dollar signs!!!!
This is my tank 96"x30"x24":


As you can see, my main return comes over the top, and drops down in the front of the tank, unsightly..................yes, functional............well yeah!!!!
The return pump is a Reefflo Barracuda, (4300gph).
What I would like to do, is take that main return out of the front of the tank, and run it down the back, with the exits blowing underneath the live rock. I think I can do this with the same 4 drops, just place them so that I can clean out underneath the eggcrate that the rock is sitting on. I am starting to wonder that there may be some buildup of crap underneath there that is gonna give me some BAD problems down the road.
The 2 Vortech MP40 pumps that I already have would then be placed on each end of the tank, and with the controller, run opposite of one another. The placement would about dead center on each end, blowing straight at the overflows in the middle. From talking with Zhenya on another thread, we seem to think that this placement would work because of the type of flow these things create!!! There will always be the option to add 2 more pumps to the mess, because the controller can handle 4 MP40.
Let me hear your thoughts!!!!!!!!!!!

[CutthroatKid]

Sounds like a helluva project.
First thoughts were what the center flow across the rock with the galaxia would be like? If you push everything off the bottom, would it settle in the low flow area between the overflows?
Second thought was about all your critters that have been taking refuge under the eggcrate... not as important i guess, but it crossed my mind.

[charlie]

Sounds like a helluva project.
First thoughts were what the center flow across the rock with the galaxia would be like? If you push everything off the bottom, would it settle in the low flow area between the overflows?
Second thought was about all your critters that have been taking refuge under the eggcrate... not as important i guess, but it crossed my mind.

The galaxia and the favia get alot of flow from the seaswirls.

As far as the critters that live under the LR, they will find a spot, believe me, they will probably move up into the rock itself, don't you think?

I plan on directing some flow underneath the center also, I don't think I am going to eliminate the one closed loop that is in the back now!!! Heck, if I do that and remove the other Iwaki, I am gonna have to buy stock in Ebo-Jager heaters!!!!!

[charlie]

Another thought/fact. When I removed the Iwaki 100 that used to drive my Beckett skimmer, the tank temp. went down 2 () degrees.

[CutthroatKid]

Gotcha. I suppose they would find someplace to live. They come out to eat anyways, don't they?
Well... I can't think of anything other how your coral will feel about the change, but what can you do?
Still can't believe those pumps make that much heat. Can't imagine having them on any smaller of a system...

[charlie]

I also forgot to add that I will be able to adjust the flow on this new formation as I WILL install ball valves on each drop into the tank, something that I didn't do with the existing return.
The effect of the corals will show up down the road, I am sure, but I can't really see them not liking a little more diverse flow, and like I said, I am not against adding more Vortechs.

[cdearing]

Sounds like a plan to me. I can't wait to see those Vortechs in action. Sweet!

[Parrothead]

Charlie,

Remember back awhile ago when we were discussing my tank and the closed loop/manifold, what about using that Iwaki 100 for a manifold to get the flow in the back where you want it, just a thought.

Tanks,
Robert

[Doodaa]

I'm pretty sure your two MP40's are going to be plenty of flow. I'd try both ways...sync and anti-sync modes to see which gives you better results. Seems like sync mode would create quite a bit of turbulence in the middle. It might draw a lot more from the cracks of the rocks and blow some up over the overflow. I used to run mine in wave mode, but that gets old after a while. Now I run it almost always in reefcrest mode.

I'd be interested to see what would happen if you put the vortechs on the back panel facing forward on either end since you have 30" to work with there. You could also try putting one up high and one down low. That's the cool thing with these pumps, they are so easy to move around, besides the other awesomeness about them - yea, I'm a big fan of the MP40's if you couldn't tell

I also like your idea of moving your returns under the rocks for two main reasons. 1-You will definately get rid of the particles hiding in there and 2-They will be hidden...that's always a plus!

If you are dropping your returns down lower in the tank...don't forget your anti-siphon hole(s)!

[zhenya]

If you are dropping your returns down lower in the tank...don't forget your anti-siphon hole(s)!

Ditto! I was just about type that when I saw your post.

Charlie, I agree with Dooda about moving those returns to the back and down. Or you can simply point them down to the bottom of the rock structure (whatever is easyest). If it hits the bottom the tendency would be to go back up, bringing the nesties with it. Just guessing here, of course.

[charlie]

If you are dropping your returns down lower in the tank...don't forget your anti-siphon hole(s)!

Didn't we have this discussion before somewhere????????? We definitely have you covered there brother!!!
The back might be a thought also, but I think I would like to start out with them on the ends, and then maybe later, I could add one or 2 and place them on the back. Don't you just love how people can spend other peoples money?????????????

Or you can simply point them down to the bottom of the rock structure (whatever is easyest). If it hits the bottom the tendency would be to go back up, bringing the nesties with it. Just guessing here, of course.

How far down the back do you think I would have to go with the return to bring the crap up? I guess there is always more loc-line huh? I was thinking of using the nozzles instead of the fans, any thought on that?

[charlie]

Charlie,

Remember back awhile ago when we were discussing my tank and the closed loop/manifold, what about using that Iwaki 100 for a manifold to get the flow in the back where you want it, just a thought.

Tanks,
Robert

I am not quite sure what you mean here???? That and the fact that I don't particularly want to put that power monger back on the system. Iwaki's make good closed loop pumps, IMO, but they also eat tons of $$$$$.


Doodaa, how many Vortechs are you running on the controller you have?

[Parrothead]

you had sent to melevsreef.com, and I was looking at the closed loop with the scwd, you recommended doing away with that part and use a manifold type setup, but if power consumption is an issue, and I can relate, you are better off going your way.


Tanks,
Robert

[charlie]

This is not a closed loop we are talking about here, this is my main return pump!

[Parrothead]

I know this, but I thought the orginal discussion started off regarding lack of flow in the lower back of the tank, if a manifold was used with return pump, it would allow you to plumb the jets(for lack of a better word) exactly where you wanted the additional flow, or as you said you said, and you're proably right on as usual, drop the returns to the basement and use the mp40 pumps, I was only trying to help.

Tanks
Robert

[charlie]

I see what you are trying to say. Yes, I am gonna have to build something, not a manifold though. It will just be a straight pipe with 4 outlets. I always understood a manifold type of set up to be circular, that is where I was confused Robert, sorry, my bad!!!!!
I think I may try to get in touch with somebody about the use of eductors, but I don't know if the Barracuda will be effective with those.

[Parrothead]

What I'm planning for the 55 is half/half, going to have intake for pump as in mel's reef closed loop and the return will be 4 - 6 outlets across the front of the tank, basically the exact samething you just mentioned.

[charlie]

I hate to say this, but After almost 2 years of looking at crap in the front of the tank, I would rather look at powerheads!!!!!!

[Parrothead]

But you've got the real estate for them, I'm stuck with 12" Width and my K2, Marineland (300 gph)and the powerhead for the skimmer take alot of space, big disadvantage to the 55's no real estate to work with. My sorta manifold is planned to run under the cross brace, and across the top front almost out of sight except for the outlets and I'm gonna design them to be as invisible as possible.

[charlie]

Isn't the Marineland going to go away because of the sump?