Please choose a drawing/design...

[Dego Red]

Ok, first I have to say 'death to powerheads' is the motivation for these. I really don't like PH's in the display, so my goal was/is/always will be a CLS or all-in-one system if possible. They're just too intrusive to me, especially in small tanks. Anyway, on to the brass tacks:

Specs:
29g, 24x12x15". In-tank sump is < 4" deep, leaving 24-25g un-obstructed viewing area under a 15K 150W MH. Tank will house a mixed, penninsula-style reef with 4-6 small fish, viewable from three sides.

All items made to scale:
A - Tunze 9002 skimmer
B - Controlled, screened entrance for additional flow to sump; direct to skimmer pickup.
C - Mag 9.5
D - Macroalgae tray
E - Tunze 6045 powerhead
Not pictured - 25-50w heater, duckbills, etc.

#1
Pros: Best pin-pointed flow over reef.
Cons: Killer head loss, may need MJ400 next to Mag for SPS flow; heat from the Mag


#2
Pros: Same number of outlets, less head loss than #1, decent aiming capability with loc line.
Cons: Heat from the Mag, somewhat "middle of the road" design


#3
Pros: Wicked flow - 1189gph (40x) w/ zero head loss, simplest design, 1/10th power consumption compared to Mag.
Cons: *Requires* 'B' - teeth alone can't handle flow; lacks directional flow control without alteration (Is the circular patern at 1100gph enough?)


The goal -
With the appropriate cooling fans, design, etc...the only thing you'll see is sections of clevery hidden power cords.


Discuss.

[dobejazz]

Wow cool looking design -
Sorry I can't help on the flow though

[Dego Red]

Thanks - The concensus on nano-reef.com seems to be to use the 3rd design. Looks like I'm going that route....

[KodiakBear]

FRIGGIN' AWESOME!!!
Okay, now that I have that out... I like Design No. 2. I like middle-of-the-road. It seems like a good balance between directional flow (which would give you the most options for aquascaping and coral placement), heat, and cost.
So, what software are you using for those drawings?

[toastdude]

I like #2 as well.

[Dego Red]

KodiakBear - thanks for the compliment. I'm simply using Google SketchUp. Just search for it in Google and you can download it for free. Really simple to use...

As for the design, a buddy and I had a great thought. I believe I'm actually going to center the skimmer and use a pair of 6045's on each side with an alternating controller.

This way I'm still using only 7 watts total with a constant 40X turnover, adding little-to-no heat, and can alternate waves down each side of the reef. The only question now is, do the Tunze's "like" those types of controllers. So I'm off to do some research...

:EDIT: Looks like they don't dig the on/off of a wavemaker. Appears that modified MJ's may be the way to go...

[derf9h]

where does everyone get the pvc fittings for sketchup?

[Dego Red]

http://www.suwiki.org/suwiki/index.p..._Path_Tutorial

Everything you need is right there.

[hng]

Awesome sketch job! I like version 2 as well, but the idea with the dual tunze's is a great idea too.

[leveldrummer]

the dual tunze is a good idea, i think you could use a seio wavemaker with them, it doesnt turn them on/off, it just lowers power to them to slow them to 50%max, the maxijet mods dont work well with on/off types any better than the tunze, and would probably break faster than the tunze.

only other thing i see is the deepness of the back, the return pump is only mounted halfway down, so you really need to keep an eye on your top off. a mag 9 is probably not gonna experience any head loss that you can notice at 1' height. but is probably way over kill for a 29 gallon.

although you could take the mag and put a SQWD on it, and split each side of the sqwd return so you have 4 total locline nozzles that switch back and forth between 2 and 2, or if you really want to get fancy, get an ocean's motions 4 way and hide if over the top in the canopy.

[Dego Red]

Thanks for all the input guys. I actually built the stand/hood combination over the holiday break so I'll have to post pics when I finalize the wiring tonight.

I still have to seal all the in-tank parts before its ready to get wet. My main concern now is how to fabricate a baffle between the powerheads and skimmer since they sit about 1" from each other. I should post pics of that too since the design has changed slightly from what you see above. The 9002 shouldn't have microbubble issues, but Roger from Tunze suggested the baffle for safety when I posted on RC...