Placement of Wavemakers in a Nano Reef 26g AIO

rdirtytwo · Jun 10, 2024

Hey everyone,

I have this Landen 6OP (26g: 20g display, 6.23 AlO sump) that came with a 185gph wave controlled return pump. have the return pump set to 100% on wave mode. I have a Nero 3 on the left glass slightly towards the front of the tank running on Random mode 10%-45% high interval, 2.5" from the water line. I also have a ZKSJ mini wavemaker (530gph) on wave mode at 100% on the right glass pane, 4" from the bottom, almost up against the back glass to eliminate dead spots.

To those who have a 2ft or similar AIO with the return on the right side, how do you have your wavemaker(s) set up?

I can upload a video of the flow if needed.

Townes_Van_Camp · Jun 10, 2024

In my IM 25 lagoon I have a wave pump (jeabo slw-10) on pulse blowing across the front 2/3 of the tank at about 30%

I also have a hygger mini wave pump in the middle back blowing towards the front glass. It's also at about 30%.

My tank has two return nozzles. One of them I left factory and the other I have with a dual VCA flow randomizer. That's on a sicce 1.5 blowing full blast.

I'm moving a lot of water in a SPS only system. When you do yours, you want flow around, not directly at your corals and adjust accordingly. Flow is also subjective to coral growth and placement. What's good today, Won't be good next year. I go by this: enough flow to clear detritus from acros and caps, but not so much it tucks the polyps away.

You have a great looking tank by the way. Will be nice when your color settles in.

rdirtytwo · Jun 10, 2024

Townes_Van_Camp said:
In my IM 25 lagoon I have a wave pump (jeabo slw-10) on pulse blowing across the front 2/3 of the tank at about 30%

I also have a hygger mini wave pump in the middle back blowing towards the front glass. It's also at about 30%.

My tank has two return nozzles. One of them I left factory and the other I have with a dual VCA flow randomizer. That's on a sicce 1.5 blowing full blast.

I'm moving a lot of water in a SPS only system.

Where is your Jebao located on the tank? From what I understand, the SLW is basically like a Nero, correct?

I want to change our my return nozzle to an RFG, but I'm not sure how to go about it with this return pump outlet. I also plan on upgrading my return pump to something like a Sicce 1.0

Obviously I don't have any sps (besides a small digitata that I fragged off my other system and a blue monti cap on my frag rack) so I'm keeping the flow moderate for the time being. Eventually. The plan for this tank is mixed LPS/SPS dominant in the future though. That's why I don't really have anything on my rockscape yet.

Trying to figure out flow is hard when the rock is bare.

Townes_Van_Camp · Jun 11, 2024

This is an older picture. So I drew in pump locations,

Red - Jeabo it's about 3/5 of the way up the glass from the sand
Purple - Hyyger mini
Yellow- VCA nozzles/randomizer

rdirtytwo · Jun 11, 2024

Thank you for your blueprint! You don't have issues with flow along the back wall?
What's the secret to get your monti caps to scroll? Mine started doing it, and I'm just guessing, but is it more about light or flow?

Townes_Van_Camp · Jun 11, 2024

rdirtytwo said:
Thank you for your blueprint! You don't have issues with flow along the back wall?
What's the secret to get your monti caps to scroll? Mine started doing it, and I'm just guessing, but is it more about light or flow?

It's funny you ask. There are actually three caps in that tank (a move I'll surely regret one day).

The orange cap, is scrolling for lack of better terms, facing the over flow. That side of the tank had more flow from the front towards the over flows.

The green one is the exact opposite, and flow on that side was also. But right down in the center there is another that is a perfect spiral.

I would recommend just giving them space, lots of light, then let them grow where they want. So long as they have the light they need and space to do it in, they will scroll for you. Oh, they also seem to win most wars. My green cap is starting to kill digitata, the orange one is getting at the green acro on the left. The next battle will be monti cap vs cyphestrea

rdirtytwo · Jun 12, 2024

Townes_Van_Camp said:
It's funny you ask. There are actually three caps in that tank (a move I'll surely regret one day).

The orange cap, is scrolling for lack of better terms, facing the over flow. That side of the tank had more flow from the front towards the over flows.

The green one is the exact opposite, and flow on that side was also. But right down in the center there is another that is a perfect spiral.

I would recommend just giving them space, lots of light, then let them grow where they want. So long as they have the light they need and space to do it in, they will scroll for you. Oh, they also seem to win most wars. My green cap is starting to kill digitata, the orange one is getting at the green acro on the left. The next battle will be monti cap vs cyphestrea

They all look really great, especially that center one. So it all really just depends, I guess? I haven't gotten around to mounting my green monti cap yet since I've been playing with flow. It's overgrown on the frag plug, sitting on the rack. The flow felt kind of too laminar, but after moving wavemakers around today I think I'm content with it for now.

I have the Nero 3 on the left glass, centered slightly towards the back on pulse at 30% 1 sec on 1 sec off. On the right glass, I have the mini wavemaker on 100% wave mode, centered and slightly towards the front. The return pump nozzle is aiming towards water surface on constant, centered and slightly to the right. I'm getting better random flow with the addition of back and forth swaying on my euphyllia.

Thanks for your help! I appreciate it. I'll try to update with a video when the corals adjust better.