Flow & hole placement feedback.

[michika]

Originally Posted by untamed

I'm not a big fan of the look of powerheads in the tank, so that is the other side of the discussion.

The way I approached it, I built a circulation system based on closed loops with the thought that I could always add powerheads later if I wanted. You can't add the CL later...
So far, I haven't added any.

The end panel looks straightforward...One 2" intake and 4 - 1.5" outputs. My CLs run on a Dart pump and each output is actually only 1". I don't think you need the 1.5" outputs. The OM4way outputs are all 1"...not 1.5", btw. I like how you have the outputs high and low. I don't think you can go wrong with the sequencing. I would fire the two low ones, then the two high ones...

I see the same idea on the back wall...but I'm not sure what the fifth 1.5" bh is for. Again, you probably only need 1" outlets for the OM4way.

Your challenge is going to be to get good circ in that front right corner. There is no reason that you have to put all your outputs on the vertical walls...you can put them in the bottom as well. In my case, 4 of my 8 outlets are actually on the bottom. The trick with placement in the front right is to still make the outlet hidden from view.

We seem to have most of the same views. I wanted CL for exact reason you outlined. If I went the powerhead route, could I possibly get a variety of flow patterns with only a few powerheads? I just don't want to to have a million things in the tank with a million associated cords on the backside. So if I went the powerhead route, and given my aquascaping description below (if you can interpret it), how would you arrange powerheads in a system this large?

I got the measurements (1.5") from the OM website (I think), I'll definitely double check those to make sure.

I can't remember what the 2" hole was for. I think it related to the return. We got a great deal on a Snapper pump awhile back and we've decided to use it. Also I thought Dart's had been discontinued for some reason.

Up until now everyone I've talked to about holes in the bottom of the tank has warned me against them. Also Kevin tells me he won't sleep well at night if we have them. I like the idea of having maybe four of them, but I would question their longevity, and want to know about the additional stress it puts on the tank as a whole.

The aquascaping plan (shhh its top secret!)
On the left in front of the overflow will be a tall pillar, the plan is to have it essentially be large (girthy) with lots of jutting ledges for SPS. Directly to the left of the pillar will be a small bay, so essentially a clam lagoon. Left again will be an island? with bridges, I plan to do some SPS, mostly tightly weaving species that fish could hide in. Then on the far right I want a little bit of a pillar, only about half the height of the tank.

I want the aquascaping to be of varying heights and emphasize the length when you look down the tank, and emphasize the depth when you look straight on. I plan to do a lot of interlocking, but not touching rock paths to try and give the illusion of a larger tank then is really there. I did a lot of looking and note taking from the photos on that guy's set up. You know the guy whose name I can't remember. His tank crashed due to a bad water change, he pulled it down. He also has a cold water tank. Urg can't remember his name or website to save my life.