Nano Build-Off question.

diadema

diadema

Member
Anyone see these things. There's one on RDO and someone started one on my site, that I'm actually going to participate in...
Hey $100 aint bad :)
So the question is:
I'm setting up a 2 gallon nano and I"m going to run a 10 gallon sump with a mag7 in there.. I know, I know - that's a LOT of flow. But it's what I have.
I'm figuring on 3 feet of head so maybe 400 GPH? Does anyone feel like this can be done? Will I be blowing my rocks around?
The plan is to create a spraybar with large holes in it to wrap around 3 sides of the top of the tank pointing at a 45 degree angle inward toward the rock. I'm going to use 1/2" pvc and the dimensions of the tank are 8X8X8 so I figure 1"PVC up from the Mag7 3 feet, an split to 2X 1/2" pipes that will wrap the tank and meet in front. So about 26 inches of 1/2", with 2 90's and 2 45's
What size holes should I drill in the spraybar - and how many? I'm looking for broad flow - but I don't want the holes so big that only the first few actually spray....
 
T

tuningvis

Guest
when i first read the mag 7 part i was shocked and thought you should disperse(sp) flow and it should be okay.. with that being said . i think it will be okay... and maybe start off with a few holes around the spray bar ... you can always add more holes.
hope that helps
 
T

tuningvis

Guest
Originally Posted by Bang Guy
Instead of holes I would drill slots. 3 or 4 horizontal slots so the flow is more dispersed.

wont it just end up coming out the first exits if there is not enough pressure behind it to get the the further slots ?
or do you think there is more than enough flow with a mag7 and 3ft of head
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Originally Posted by tuningvis
wont it just end up coming out the first exits if there is not enough pressure behind it to get the the further slots ?
or do you think there is more than enough flow with a mag7 and 3ft of head
In my experience it will come out of the last exits if there's not enough flow. I think the Mag7 will have more flow that you think.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Originally Posted by tuningvis
just playin devils advocate
Good idea! The beauty of PVC is that it's cheap :D
 
diadema

diadema

Member
Originally Posted by Bang Guy
I use a Dremmel.
A reef essential purchase that it appears I have put-off too long.. :)
 
diadema

diadema

Member
What's to be confused about?
Let's review
I'm building a 2 gallon nano tank for a "build-off" competition to hopefully win $100.
I'm using a big pump
I'm running a spraybar
I don't know how big to make the holes
Guy suggested that I use slots
With a dremmel.
I don't got a dremmel.
And we all lived happily ever after.
The End.
 
tinyreef

tinyreef

Member
i'd suggest you choke off the flow with two things: swcd and a ball valve. the swcd should eat 1/4~1/3 of the volume ime. the ball valve is "just in case", put this right after the mag output. you could also swap out impellers but that doesn't always fit mag to mag.
just drill the holes but i wouldn't cement it into place until you figure out the flow direction and volume. with the swcd you can have opposing spray bars for tidal action. i think the slots would become blocked up too quickly and it's a pita to make (use a saw and cut carefully).
mag7 is a bit much imho.
a mag 3 or mag 5 is about as far as i would go in a 2.5g~5.5g.
i'd get your rockscape in place either before or concurrently with your flow design. the aquascape makes the picture/presentation imo. it also determines (controls) your flows. hth
 
diadema

diadema

Member
Yeah - I'm rethinking the overall design completely. I'm not sure I'm going to be able to keep the rocks in place with that much flow...
 
jobob

jobob

Member
try small 14in hole and alot of them. dont use a ball valve it will kill the pump. and use a tee and connect them to both ends of the spaybar. and use extra hose, so it has more ft for the water to flow.
 
tinyreef

tinyreef

Member
actually, for the mag pump you can use a ball valve (as long as it's on the output side). it's just a matter of/similar to increasing head pressure until you get the desired result.
 
diadema

diadema

Member
OK - so my plans have changed COMPLETELY...
The tank is the same 8"X8"X8"
but I went with a whisper 40 powerfilter for circulation (210 gph) 105X turnover should suffice...
I'm also going with a 13W PC bulb instead of the 65W
And most importantly, no sump.
I'll get pictures up soon.
It's not going to win the prize on reefmonkey - but that's okay. I'm having fun with it.
 
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