Flow Suggestions for this Aquascape

[The Gas Man]

I’m not sure how I want to do the powerheads so I’m looking for some opinions.

My initial idea was to add two AI Nero 5’s, one on each end with flow meeting in the middle to form turbulence. I’m currently thinking about two gyre powerheads; one on each end but I have read mixed reviews on these pumps.

What are your thoughts? Any idea is welcome. Thank you.

 

[Asm481]

I won't suggest how much flow as I am not expert and there are a million pumps out there. I will suggest getting at least one of your return nozzles up at the surface of your water. It breaks the siphon and prevents sump floods. Even if you are using backflow protection that fail often.

 

[The Gas Man]

I won't suggest how much flow as I am not expert and there are a million pumps out there. I will suggest getting at least one of your return nozzles up at the surface of your water. It breaks the siphon and prevents sump floods. Even if you are using backflow protection that fail often.

Thank you!

 

[BristleWormHater]

I won't suggest how much flow as I am not expert and there are a million pumps out there. I will suggest getting at least one of your return nozzles up at the surface of your water. It breaks the siphon and prevents sump floods. Even if you are using backflow protection that fail often.

Agree with this, surface agitation is an absolute must. Not only for the reasons you mentioned but because it ensures your tank is properly oxygenated. I would aim all of the return nozzles at the top of the tank and make the loc line connection shorter, that is how its typically done.
I dont think a set up without powerheads is possible at this tank size. The return nozzles alone won't be able to provide adequate flow towards the bottom of the tank.

 

[The Gas Man]

I won't suggest how much flow as I am not expert and there are a million pumps out there. I will suggest getting at least one of your return nozzles up at the surface of your water. It breaks the siphon and prevents sump floods. Even if you are using backflow protection that fail often.

Agree with this, surface agitation is an absolute must. Not only for the reasons you mentioned but because it ensures your tank is properly oxygenated. I would aim all of the return nozzles at the top of the tank and make the loc line connection shorter, that is how its typically done.
I dont think a set up without powerheads is possible at this tank size. The return nozzles alone won't be able to provide adequate flow towards the bottom of the tank.

What kind of power beads would you recommend? That’s what I was asking?

 

[BristleWormHater]

What kind of power beads would you recommend? That’s what I was asking?

Im not too well versed in power heads, my tanks are not very big, but I see a lot of experienced reefers using gyres.
@Slocke @tbrown @Fish Styx

 

[Fish Styx]

Im not too well versed in power heads, my tanks are not very big, but I see a lot of experienced reefers using gyres.
@Slocke @tbrown @Fish Styx

Two gyres in there would be great. If you wanna get a little spicy, mount one vertically and the other horizontally on the opposite side.

 

[Ziggy17]

How married are you to the scape? It’s going to be tricky to get good flow to all the areas. I’d reconsider the scape if you can get away from it. Make the boulders less dense and airy.

If you can’t or don’t want to change it up, A good bet would be two gyres on the back wall horizontal or vertical. At least that way you will get flow to the middle. Keep in mind it’s going to blow the sand around, especially if it’s finer sand. Bare bottom won’t have that issue obviously.

In the diagram, I’d suggest B or D or else the middle will get none, And the bottom will get limited without a few power heads, and even then, it’s not ideal.

 

[Fish Styx]

How married are you to the scape? It’s going to be tricky to get good flow to all the areas. I’d reconsider the scape if you can get away from it. Make the boulders less dense and airy.

If you can’t or don’t want to change it up, A good bet would be two gyres on the back wall horizontal or vertical. At least that way you will get flow to the middle. Keep in mind it’s going to blow the sand around, especially if it’s finer sand. Bare bottom won’t have that issue obviously.

In the diagram, I’d suggest B or D or else the middle will get none, And the bottom will get limited without a few power heads, and even then, it’s not ideal.

The bulk of his low-profile overflow is external, so there is no obstruction to flow behind the scape. Respectfully, these diagrams do not apply. With one gyre mounted vertically, and the opposite gyre mounted horizontally, it will cause an angular figure eight flow pattern that will be extremely turbulent in the center of the tank.

 

[Ziggy17]

The bulk of his low-profile overflow is external, so there is no obstruction to flow behind the scape. Respectfully, these diagrams do not apply. With one gyre mounted vertically, and the opposite gyre mounted horizontally, it will cause an angular figure eight flow pattern that will be extremely turbulent in the center of the tank.

But what if he doesn’t want “to get spicy”? Curious to see your diagram that illustrates the flow pattern. I must have missed it in my searches.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Don't know what you heard about gyres but frankly I love them and would choose them over traditional powerheads any day.

 

[atoll]

I have one gyre top left and and MP40 mid water near the front on the opposite end. Works well for me. IMO the gyre is the best coupled with a pulsing powerhead.
This way the top half of the tank gets lots of water movement for my Magnifica anemone and SPS. Lower levels more gentle flow for my LPS.

 

[Fish Styx]

But what if he doesn’t want “to get spicy”? Curious to see your diagram that illustrates the flow pattern. I must have missed it in my searches.

Your reply smacks of condescension, especially since you regurgitated part of my response and put it into quotes. Maybe try searching for diagrams that are appropriate for the tank you are giving advice for. Or, you know, speak from an abundance of experience whilst using a playful tone like I did.

You seem like a bright guy, given the organic chemistry skeletal structure in your profile pic. Who knows, maybe you're just a fan of coffee. Either way, given my placement suggestion and the description of the flow it would create, even a basic understanding of fluid dynamics would allow you to envision it without someone drawing you a picture.

Good day, sir.

 

[Slocke]

Hey hey, calm down everyone. I spent years doing water engineering and do you know what's fun about water?
It never acts how you expect and as soon as it goes turbulent its almost impossible to create a predictive model. So why bother? Have fun with it!

 

[Fish Styx]

#threadmedic

 

[The Gas Man]

Don't know what you heard about gyres but frankly I love them and would choose them over traditional powerheads any day.

Maintenance and reliability issues. Admittedly, some of it was older. I’m just trying to get the flow the best it can be with my aquascape. I am leaning towards two gyres. I’ll add a third powerhead if necessary to hit a dead spot.

 

[tbrown]

Hey hey, calm down everyone. I spent years doing water engineering and do you know what's fun about water?
It never acts how you expect and as soon as it goes turbulent its almost impossible to create a predictive model. So why bother? Have fun with it!

As a guy that's spent almost 25 years chasing water in the desert, this I can attest to!

 

[tbrown]

Two gyres in there would be great. If you wanna get a little spicy, mount one vertically and the other horizontally on the opposite side.

This is what I did. I get super random flow in my 70.

 

[Ziggy17]

Your reply smacks of condescension, especially since you regurgitated part of my response and put it into quotes. Maybe try searching for diagrams that are appropriate for the tank you are giving advice for. Or, you know, speak from an abundance of experience whilst using a playful tone like I did.

You seem like a bright guy, given the organic chemistry skeletal structure in your profile pic. Who knows, maybe you're just a fan of coffee. Either way, given my placement suggestion and the description of the flow it would create, even a basic understanding of fluid dynamics would allow you to envision it without someone drawing you a picture.

Good day, sir.

It’s not condescending at all. It’s simply asking a question based on your response.

The OP asked about flow. You first responded that two gyres would be great. You didn’t offer a placement idea, just that any two gyres would be great
You also said, “if” he wanted to get spicy, and offered a spicy version. I then replied with a diagram of 4 common uses for two gyres, which is helpful. You then said that those positions do not apply and insinuated that the “spicy” version would be the way to make it two gyres work in his tank. Im simply asking that if he doesn’t go with the spicy version, what version that’s not on the diagram would apply.

And I’m generally interested in a diagram to see how the flow pattern your spicy version offers as I have two gyres that I use in placement A. I don’t have a hydro engineering background, and perhaps I lack the basic understanding of hydro dynamics, as I can’t envision how that placement does that. So I’d like to see the flow pattern. Once I see that, and it’s something I’d like to try,

Good day to you as well. But you’re reading too far into this.

 

[tbrown]

Maintenance and reliability issues. Admittedly, some of it was older. I’m just trying to get the flow the best it can be with my aquascape. I am leaning towards two gyres. I’ll add a third powerhead if necessary to hit a dead spot.

I have an IceCap Jump 2K, a Maxspect 330, and a Tunze powerhead ( I forget which one). My tank is 36" x 21" x 21". Gyres are at 45%-65% random flow, Tunze is at 35% with bursts to 65%. My water never sits still.

The Jump 2K is vertical front corner about 2" from the glass and 4" from the surface, Tunze is center of that side 2" from the surface creating lots of agitation when it bursts. 330 is opposite side, about 2/3 to the front, horizontal, about 2"-3" down.