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View BadgesI am finishing up some plumbing rework on my 210 gallon upgrade that has been maturing for about a year now. Almost a year actually (15th will be the birthday) when I moved a existing 40 breeder into it. Anyway it is still maturing so not a lot of coral to break up the flow. When I started I had a pair of 1" Sea Swirls running off a Cor 15 for flow. It was working, but not ideal so I added in a pair of Gyre's - XF250.
That was a bit too much flow so I started to alternate their flow so they didn't run together. Still not happy because while they move a lot of water it really is in a distinct pattern when you really do the analysis based on the cage placement/rotation and paddles. Long story short without a lot of strong corals to break that flow up I decided to remove them which is what I just completed yesterday and replaced them with a pair of 1" RFG's attached to my Sea Swirls.
I have to say that I really like this a lot better. Not only did I add the 1" RFG's I knew the Cor 15 wouldn't be enough in the big picture so picked up a Cor 20 last week when I noticed a sale. This gives me redundancy (sort of already had because my skimmer is also powered by a Cor 15) by running two pumps and using the Cor 20 on the furthest Sea Swirl and plumbing line and moving the 15 model to the one with shorter plumbing. Enter a perfect storm. Lots of water movement, too much actually, and getting just about everywhere which is what I wanted with...you guessed it. More random flow than the Gyres.
I look at the surface of the tank and the water is really agitated. Point them down a bit and it is still there but now directing more toward the bottom. I think my rock work along the back wall is not getting as much flow but I probably need to adjust the nozzle and Sea Swirl angle I'm sure. It is my cryptic zone anyway or at least that is the plan - we'll see.
The Challenge now is actually adjusting the flow of the two return pumps to re-create a high and low tide and balancing my Bean Animal overflow. This may not work the way I envision but right now, at least this morning, I'm finally happy (as are my rose bubble tip anemones) with the flow. If anyone is on the fence with these really consider them. They are perfect when sized with a proper pump. I'm actually running my pumps at 80% at peak and considering even running them lower.
Great product!
-scottf
That was a bit too much flow so I started to alternate their flow so they didn't run together. Still not happy because while they move a lot of water it really is in a distinct pattern when you really do the analysis based on the cage placement/rotation and paddles. Long story short without a lot of strong corals to break that flow up I decided to remove them which is what I just completed yesterday and replaced them with a pair of 1" RFG's attached to my Sea Swirls.
I have to say that I really like this a lot better. Not only did I add the 1" RFG's I knew the Cor 15 wouldn't be enough in the big picture so picked up a Cor 20 last week when I noticed a sale. This gives me redundancy (sort of already had because my skimmer is also powered by a Cor 15) by running two pumps and using the Cor 20 on the furthest Sea Swirl and plumbing line and moving the 15 model to the one with shorter plumbing. Enter a perfect storm. Lots of water movement, too much actually, and getting just about everywhere which is what I wanted with...you guessed it. More random flow than the Gyres.
I look at the surface of the tank and the water is really agitated. Point them down a bit and it is still there but now directing more toward the bottom. I think my rock work along the back wall is not getting as much flow but I probably need to adjust the nozzle and Sea Swirl angle I'm sure. It is my cryptic zone anyway or at least that is the plan - we'll see.
The Challenge now is actually adjusting the flow of the two return pumps to re-create a high and low tide and balancing my Bean Animal overflow. This may not work the way I envision but right now, at least this morning, I'm finally happy (as are my rose bubble tip anemones) with the flow. If anyone is on the fence with these really consider them. They are perfect when sized with a proper pump. I'm actually running my pumps at 80% at peak and considering even running them lower.
Great product!
-scottf