A wonderful problem to have

I just picked up a 125 gal tank, stand and hood last night!! It is drilled on each corner and I need to make a plan for flow. I currently have a 75 gal with two 1050 Koralias with a two channel wave maker. They are placed on oposite sides of the tank with the return flow from the sump in the middle of the tank. With the 125 being so much longer i am looking for advise on the best way to set up the flow in the new tank. It came with a Redsea 4 channel wave maker and I am thinking ablut getting 2 more powerheads. The question is, should i put two on each side, one high and one low or one on each side and two on the back pointing to the front of the tank. Any guidance to begin would be great. Obviously i will fine tune things once it is set.

 

I have 4 on my 125, all in side glass, one points towards back glass one towards front glass. Back high, front low on left side, back low, front high on right side. My returns both face towards middle center of tank. When I do water changes I make sure to cause lots of micro bubbles. The bubbles show my return water flows in the middle and the power heads move the bubbles all around the tank, ensuring the clean water from sump flows through the tank. I may get a mini rio solaria pump for the middle back glass just for more flow.

 

Lots of opinions on flow arrangement, this is just one. If money is good, get an mp40 on each side and you'll be good. But I know that's no always an option starting a tank, over time save up for them. My favorite if I had a choice are those tanks w holes drilled in bottom and flow up through the rocks and sand bed, these are usually seen on 400 g + tanks but I love the concept. Good luck w your new setup.

 

I never even concidered the bottom drilled flow through the rocks method. Im sure i will get may good opinions on what is best but i like your four powerhead idea. That is kind of along the lines of what i was thinking. If anyone has experience with the Redsea wavemaker let me know. I know nothing about it or even if it can be programed in particular ways. It is one of the many items that came with the tank... it was like having christmas and a birthday all at the same time plus more!

 

As you decide on your equipment for the tank, get several opinions, weigh the pros and cons and please shop around. A buddy of mine walked into a LFS and got hosed. Bought an expensive tank, crappy led light, sand and $9 a lb live rock. Spent like 800. I felt soo bad for him, he could have gotten a way better set up for half the price if he shopped around.

 

Trust me i know! My 75 has been going for some time now and i made a few good decisions and a few bad ones along the way. I got the 125 last night complete with cabinate, hood, wet/dry sump, dosing pump, remora C protien skimmer, 6 power PC lights with new bulbs, wavemaker, 4 return pumps of various sizes and at least 3 boxes of knick nacks for $500.00!! I will be getting rid of the Power PC lights, wet/dry filter and a few pumps along with the protien skimmer since i can move a lot of what i have over from the 75. I just need to plan out my refugium and flow as well as getting some additional rock and changing out the sand. I want things well thought out before i set it in place and begin moving things over.

 

Very good idea. I forgot you already had a setup. If ya get a chance take a look at mine. The one thing I would say to take from mine is the black rubber on the bottom of the sump. I can not say how much water I had and that black rubber from depot made it so easy to clean up.

 

Great idea! Thanks!

 

Just saw your build thread. WOW.. i think i got some good ideas. Think i may do a build thread too.

 

Thanks, do one for sure. It's hard to remember to take pics during just try to remember. I read about 15 125g builds and took ideas from all of them.