New Tank, new Questions
 

So I`m in the slow painful process of emptying my wallet over the next 6 or so months on a new 120g tank.Edit-- Dimensions - 4x2x2

wont go into all the details, but it will by SPS heavy, so I need opinions on flow

I have heard a lot of different answers from vendors so I`m fairly confused at this point.

Rock work will be minimal to allow room for lots of sps, I`m thinking MAYBE 50-75lbs in the DT at most. the rest will be in the sump. (around 50lbs of good live rock from my current system..

I am looking at Vortechs, but not sure which route to choose as I dont have a clue! lol

also looking at Tunze 6105 depending on the number I have to get.

and then my last resort is HYDOR Magnums but I`d love to stay away from these if possible

so heres the question

If I go with vortechs, should I do MP40s or MP10s? and how many

If I go Tunze which should I choose and how many?

I also know this could depend on a return pump, so if anyone has any thoughts let me know. I "think" i have the rest figured out (skimmers, lights, etc..)


Thanks

maybe in the new year I'll get to start my build thread lol.

I'll leave the powerhead debate for others, but will say this ...

Now that you're bumping up to a bigger tank, your return pump will no longer be a factor for flow. It'll basically just be feeding your skimmer

Focus on the powerheads to provide in tank flow for your corals

two mp40s will be fine.

I've got 4 in a 180 gallon and it's plenty of flow.

And I wouldn't recommend sync'ing them. When they're all random you get random flow

I am following along. I was talking with others today about SPS growth an how it is affected by flow.

Nano I think you should go more into detail. How will your landscape be; a peninsula tank or views from one or more angles?
Where will you place your pumps to get best flow? Will your flow be different when lights out?

Marko why only two when you have 4?
Rick.

Ok so 2 MP40s is what I'm hearing from most vendors or else 2 tunze 6105 with multi controller.

Noise is a factor for this build but the way the cabinet will be built one or both mp40 dry sides will be enclosed so the noise should be less.

Well that i think solves it for me. Now I'm onto the question of power, whats a good % to run them at? And for a return pump what should I be looking at for in sump, as well as cost efficient and fairly quiet?
Thanks again guys

Edit
Rick I'll post some picture of potential aquascapes in a few its going to be very open most likely 2-3 small islands at different levels, I have read a bit about vortechs "night mode" its a consideration for sure but at this point I have not decided. I think it could be good though to allow the fish a resting place a night.

Go with the Waveline DC 10000 for your return, they are super quite especially in a cabinet.

ok sorry, Rick in answer to your question the tank will be positioned against the wall with one corner to the wall most likely. so like I said it will be very open in the water column if that means anything, I hope to have little to no dead spots in the tank by doing this
so first off heres the basic mock up of the cabinet it looks like a peninsula but sits against the wall.


http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...na/roomdiv.jpg

here are some inspirational minimaist aquascapes I have been looking at a lot
something like these is what I hope to achieve!
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/..._4409Large.jpg
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...9008f64a_z.jpg
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...d332ba02a1.jpg
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...22f06b7a_z.jpg
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...a/DSC06590.jpg
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...na/27thNov.jpg
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...marina/7-1.jpg
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...a/DSCN4186.jpg
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...a/DSCN2075.jpg

And My personal Favorite

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...a/4d348468.jpg
http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/...a/a899a9f8.jpg

I have 2 MP10's on my back wall and they are great. I was planning on getting 2 more MP10/40's. I do have 2 Koralia 1's and 2 Koralia 1400's. Definetely enough flow.

Absolutely beautiful images. Here is my favorite aquascape. Here's Kang's tank. Used without permission.

http://spsholic.com/attach/1/1509654024.jpg
http://spsholic.com/entry/MRkangTank

dont forget to have a look at the tunze 6095, new wide flow. probably wont be able to find them second hand however as i rarely see tunze powerheads for sale let alone new ones.

The question of flow is also one part personal choice. When I set up my 150g peninsula tank I had every intention to use those massive hydor magnums. I'm sure they would have been enough but they were quite fugly. Then I thought about MP40s. I checked out a few reefers MP40 setups and all of them were too noisy for me. So then it came down to the 6105s. Those ended up working the best for me and three year later I'm still rockin' two 6105s in a 6' long 150g tank.

I think you could go either way. Two MP40s or 6105s. Just depends on what kind of flow you want really. A lot I people don't mind or don't notice the noise on the MP40s, so if you're one of those then the MP40 on either side would be perfect.