lastlight's 404

golf nut · #1 01-05-2011, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lastlight

I am leaning towards using one of Paul's new Ocean Motion devices but I need his (and anyone else's) input to plan where I need holes. I would like to have current flow one direction for maybe 60 seconds, then reverse and flow the other way. I'm interested in reversing the intakes as well like I think Paul has demonstrated. I'm still confused so hopefully he can chime in here.

Where to start, as usual there will be lots of questions.

What type of coral would you like to keep..
Do you have an idea of the aquascaping,
Can we plumb both ends,
Can we drill the bottom
What internal turnover do you think you would like.
Do you have flood insurance J/K

Paul

Dez · #2 01-05-2011, 10:08 PM

Paul, I always enjoy your sense of humour. You don't post much, but every time you do, I chuckle.

Brett, glad that you can get going on this sucker. Should be an amazing tank. Paul is really good to deal with. When I was setting up my tank he helped me with my closed loop/flow even though I didn't even buy the 4way from him. He spend lots of time on the phone explaining and pm'd diagrams etc. Almost a year and a half later, I wouldn't change a thing about my plumbing. I don't have a single powerhead in the tank and all my outlets are hidden and all my sps corals still seem to be getting enough flow.

lastlight · #3 01-05-2011, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dez

Paul, I always enjoy your sense of humour. You don't post much, but every time you do, I chuckle.

Brett, glad that you can get going on this sucker. Should be an amazing tank. Paul is really good to deal with. When I was setting up my tank he helped me with my closed loop/flow even though I didn't even buy the 4way from him. He spend lots of time on the phone explaining and pm'd diagrams etc. Almost a year and a half later, I wouldn't change a thing about my plumbing. I don't have a single powerhead in the tank and all my outlets are hidden and all my sps corals still seem to be getting enough flow.

I've heard the same which is why I really wanted his input. I love the uncluttered look of your tank.

chris121277 · #4 01-05-2011, 10:08 PM

WOW Man!.....thats going to be one monster tank..I'm looking forward to seeing this all come together.

lastlight · #5 01-05-2011, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris121277

WOW Man!.....thats going to be one monster tank..I'm looking forward to seeing this all come together.

Thanks I'm looking forward to it as well. It will move faster than the first big one I hope.

Doug · #6 01-05-2011, 11:53 PM

Looks like its going to be a very nice build & tank, Brett. Good luck with it all. I can sell you my 160 in awhile and you can run a pair then.

kien · #7 01-06-2011, 02:53 AM

golf nut · #8 01-06-2011, 03:32 AM

When you said two sides viewable I thought we had won a watch, now I see one side is actually an end panel, although this doesn't eliminate the system I have been discussing in the mulltidirectional thread it does make it a little trickier, assuming the back wall is black indicates that you don't plan on spending much time viewing back there and that wall may well have rock against it, correct me if I am wrong.

Just a thought, if you were to swing the tank 90 degrees you would have a true two side view and a better view from your desk, if not then we will deal with the cards we have been dealt, alternatively if you give up the viewing area in the fish room then we can accomplish almost everything.

Typically I start by determining where the overflow is and insisting that surface water moves in that direction, you would be amazed at the number of people that have it all wrong and do not understand why they are having a tough time with their system, their surface water is akin to a cesspool.

In your case you have what I would usually label a peninsula tank, except you blacked out one side, return water from the sump should enter the tank at the visible end at the surface and be fired horizontally down to the overflow end, where you have a Beananimals drain system.
Regardless of whether you go with the barrel roll principle or the reversing principle the surface flow should be fixed as suggested. until you have time to look over the plan it will be hard to determine the best design, depending on your response.

The only other thing that I will offer is to get the best blast for the buck and the best flow available all outlets and drains should enhance each other,additionally, the main object other than removing crap from the tank is to move as much water as possible without internal interference, don't fire outlets into rocks or walls, fire them into voids so that the whole volume of the tank is pulled into the action.

This will be the goal.

Paul

Delphinus · #9 01-06-2011, 03:42 AM

Paul, I'm curious why you suggest specifically a Beananimal overflow and not, say, a Herbie or other?

lastlight · #10 01-06-2011, 03:43 AM

Paul thanks for the detailed response. To quickly clear a few things up...the room is only 12 feet across and I don't really want to rotate the tank.

The rockwork will be well away from both the front pane and the rear pane. I don't like rock touching the back wall (or even being close to it). Easy access means I can get in to scrape it clean. I'm going to paint both side and rear panes so you are free to put holes wherever you wish there.

The overflow box in the model is only 12" high. I don't imagine I need to make it narrower to incorporate outlets that flank it higher up as that will flow against the returns.

The tidal thing just sounds neat but really I just want my flow to be hidden as well as possible and to be a bit random with one of your units. Random or at least varied as with the tidal thing.

Thanks!