Water Flow And Filtration Nc24 Pump Mod?

[Nano_Primo]

Hi, I recently picked up a Nano Cube 24, after seeing many of my friends larger setups and how gorgeous they are I thought Id try out something smaller. I've been reading through many posts about Pre-Mods I could do before setting up the tank.

My plans are to eventually be able to have a coral reef setup...therefore the stock flow of the NC24 is not sufficient and I should do some upgrades before starting.

I have read that many people place the stock pump in chamber one and upgrade with a maxi jet 1200 in chamber 3

I am curious about how this will affect the flow of the water through the back chambers.

Sorry for the very crude picture ...lol

For my questions:

Should pump 2 be stronger than pump 1?

Is pump 1 pumping back unfiltered water back into the tank? Does this matter?

Does pump 1 inhibit flow into filtration chamber? (position 3)


I know many of you all run this setup in your nano cubes, but for some reason the flow doesn't seem optimal for filtration.


Thanks for looking!

Tony

 

[Nano_Primo]

These Flow Diagrams make more sense to me in terms of filtration and clean water flow....any inputs?

Refuge in chamber #1
Pump in chamber #2 and #3

more intricate design and modification

Almost full surface skimmer flowing into dual refuge
Chamber #1 w/ high flow pump mj1200
Outside tank Hydor Korllia #1 below pump #1 return

 

[steelhealr]

Hope this helps

Has all the mods. SH

 

[Nano_Primo]

Hope this helps

Has all the mods. SH

Thanks SH, yes I've read your build-up many times...I was just curious about the logic behind adding a pump in chamber 1...it seems like it would inhibit flow into the refuge and at the same time just pumping back "unfiltered" water back into the tank.

Thats why I was thinking of better ways to create flow through the refuge with water coming in and going out after flowing through the refuge first.

 

[steelhealr]

It has worked EXCELLENTLY and does nothing of the sort. A MJ pump is much stronger than the stock pump so pull keeps flow moving across the back...each one works almost independently since the intake grate allows enough flow thru the back. Pump one does chemical and mechanical filtration while the over the bulkhead outflow returns flow back into the tank. Water is pulled down thru ChemiPure, Purigen, Algone and SeaGel and filter fiber then returned to the tank. Pump in chamber 3 pulls flow across the back for biological filtration and circulation. Chaeto will die back there without flow. If you have any doubts, pic of my tank at it's height with this setup:

Good luck.

SH

 

[Nano_Primo]

Your tank at its peak is definitely one of the best I've seen!!

Thanks for really clarifying things, I didnt know chamber one had chemical and mechanical filtration media, this makes so much more sense now.

Do you run all of those chemicals filters in that order from top down plus filter fiber and the pump? Seems like a lot in chamber one!

What would us nano newbies do w/o you? lol

Thanks Again

 

[steelhealr]

The pump sits in the bottom. The order is unimportant, but, I keep the FF on top for easy extraction and it helps keep the Algone in the water as it tends to float. As for a lot of media...this is an art and you have to choose what works for you. I was intensley 'nano' for awhile...to the point of going for that kooky acanthastrea stuff..until I became my mellow nano self now. LOL. SH