Flow Suggestions for this Aquascape

[Fish Styx]

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.

I'm out and about, but will draw you up something later this afternoon.

 

[Rocks reef]

Due the tank being 18" wide and the rock structure being fairly close to the front and back glass, it is a good idea to have two of the return nozzles aimed behind the rock work just like you have them in the picture. This will help with dead/slow areas behind the rock work.

I feel a setup like @Fish Styx mentioned with one gyre horizontally and one vertical will be the most beneficial in your tank given the rock layout. The vertical one will push water along back glass and front glass while the horizontal one mounted high will create a 'typical' gyre movement. I don't think a diagram would be sufficient at all. Sure, you can speculate and envision how the water 'should' move, but the nature of the aquascape layout will dictate where the flow goes. It will always take the path of least resistance.

Caveat, all tanks are different. We won't know the water movement until the tank is setup and you start messing with it. One can assume based on prior knowledge or having witnessed another reefers system and observing the water movement. Again, each tank is different. Rocks will create different paths regarding fluid dynamics. We could have a very similar setup and what works for me, may not necessarily work for you.

 

[Fish Styx]

Due the tank being 18" wide and the rock structure being fairly close to the front and back glass, it is a good idea to have two of the return nozzles aimed behind the rock work just like you have them in the picture. This will help with dead/slow areas behind the rock work.

I feel a setup like @Fish Styx mentioned with one gyre horizontally and one vertical will be the most beneficial in your tank given the rock layout. The vertical one will push water along back glass and front glass while the horizontal one mounted high will create a 'typical' gyre movement. I don't think a diagram would be sufficient at all. Sure, you can speculate and envision how the water 'should' move, but the nature of the aquascape layout will dictate where the flow goes. It will always take the path of least resistance.

Caveat, all tanks are different. We won't know the water movement until the tank is setup and you start messing with it. One can assume based on prior knowledge or having witnessed another reefers system and observing the water movement. Again, each tank is different. Rocks will create different paths regarding fluid dynamics. We could have a very similar setup and what works for me, may not necessarily work for you.

I'm gonna make a video for him.

 

[Ziggy17]

I'm gonna make a video for him.

That would be fantastic and also super helpful. When I want to see what my flow is doing, I put a good spot of brine shrimp in the water. It helps me visualize the flow I have going. Right now I use A in the diagram but play with alternating and ramp up and ramp down times to see how they affect things. It’s a pretty cool science to figure out.

I did try to look up that gyre placement you mentioned but I couldn’t find anything visual. It might be what I’m looking for as well, albeit, I have a more NSA approach to my rock work.

Thanks for doing this.

 

[Fish Styx]

That would be fantastic and also super helpful. When I want to see what my flow is doing, I put a good spot of brine shrimp in the water. It helps me visualize the flow I have going. Right now I use A in the diagram but play with alternating and ramp up and ramp down times to see how they affect things. It’s a pretty cool science to figure out.

I did try to look up that gyre placement you mentioned but I couldn’t find anything visual. It might be what I’m looking for as well, albeit, I have a more NSA approach to my rock work.

Thanks for doing this.

No worries

 

[Fish Styx]

That would be fantastic and also super helpful. When I want to see what my flow is doing, I put a good spot of brine shrimp in the water. It helps me visualize the flow I have going. Right now I use A in the diagram but play with alternating and ramp up and ramp down times to see how they affect things. It’s a pretty cool science to figure out.

I did try to look up that gyre placement you mentioned but I couldn’t find anything visual. It might be what I’m looking for as well, albeit, I have a more NSA approach to my rock work.

Thanks for doing this.

Here you go. Hope this helps:

 

[Ziggy17]

Here you go. Hope this helps:

Great explanation, even though I can’t get audio with it. And honestly more than I expected. Love the use of TP rolls . So the vertical gyre is low with the horizontal high.

Question,
At what flow percent does that vertical gyre start blowing sand around? Or is that just something of a daily chore to move it back in that right corner? I tried mine vertical and even at 40%, my special grade sand was starting to drift.

Again, thanks so much for that, truly above and beyond for a dumb request for explanation. But now. That I see it, I can see why it’s effective for the middle of a wall of rock.

Cheers
Zig.

 

[Fish Styx]

Great explanation, even though I can’t get audio with it. And honestly more than I expected. Love the use of TP rolls . So the vertical gyre is low with the horizontal high.

Question,
At what flow percent does that vertical gyre start blowing sand around? Or is that just something of a daily chore to move it back in that right corner? I tried mine vertical and even at 40%, my special grade sand was starting to drift.

Again, thanks so much for that, truly above and beyond for a dumb request for explanation. But now. That I see it, I can see why it’s effective for the middle of a wall of rock.

Cheers
Zig.

It doesn't have to be that low to achieve the same effect. That's just kind of where I stuck it. I would not recommend placing it low enough to cause a sandstorm.

 

[Fish Styx]

That would be fantastic and also super helpful. When I want to see what my flow is doing, I put a good spot of brine shrimp in the water. It helps me visualize the flow I have going. Right now I use A in the diagram but play with alternating and ramp up and ramp down times to see how they affect things. It’s a pretty cool science to figure out.

I did try to look up that gyre placement you mentioned but I couldn’t find anything visual. It might be what I’m looking for as well, albeit, I have a more NSA approach to my rock work.

Thanks for doing this.

You could also try adding coral snow or AB+ to the tank, directly into the powerheads to highlight the flow pattern(s). That's what I do and it really helps me to see where things are moving.

 

[Rocks reef]

Great explanation, even though I can’t get audio with it. And honestly more than I expected. Love the use of TP rolls . So the vertical gyre is low with the horizontal high.

Question,
At what flow percent does that vertical gyre start blowing sand around? Or is that just something of a daily chore to move it back in that right corner? I tried mine vertical and even at 40%, my special grade sand was starting to drift.

Again, thanks so much for that, truly above and beyond for a dumb request for explanation. But now. That I see it, I can see why it’s effective for the middle of a wall of rock.

Cheers
Zig.

That would be answered if/when you run the gyre. Just watch the sand, if it's blowing, turn it down.

 

[Rocks reef]

Matt @Fish Styx , watched your video this morning on IG. Brother, you nailed it and went above and beyond! Kudos for the education and demonstration.

 

[Fish Styx]

Matt @Fish Styx , watched your video this morning on IG. Brother, you nailed it and went above and beyond! Kudos for the education and demonstration.

Thanks, Keith! It was my pleasure, really. I figure it may be useful for others beyond this thread, especially those that may be too nervous to ask. Besides, I need to get this pretty face out in front of the camera more!

 

[Fish Styx]

@The Gas Man, since you were the OP, I figure I should check in with you... Did the video make sense to you? Do you have any other questions that I could help with?

 

[Ziggy17]

You could also try adding coral snow or AB+ to the tank, directly into the powerheads to highlight the flow pattern(s). That's what I do and it really helps me to see where things are moving.

I used to use coral snow but I hate the residue it leaves behind. Every time my wrasse dove, it would stir up more. That why i witched to brine shrimp. No quite as dramatic, but no messy aftermath.

 

[Fish Styx]

I used to use coral snow but I hate the residue it leaves behind. Every time my wrasse dove, it would stir up more. That why i witched to brine shrimp. No quite as dramatic, but no messy aftermath.

With the new flow pattern of your gyres, that and other small particulate matter / detritus will be better suspended in your WC and moved out through your overflow. In fact, the CS will bind to that small particulate and while it is suspended it will feed your corals. If it was settling to your sandbed, flow and dead spots were / are an issue.

If you decide to adjust your pumps' positioning and need some help dialing them in, feel free to hit me up or pop on over to my thread and I or the #Heathens will get you sorted out.

 

[Ziggy17]

If it was settling to your sandbed, flow and dead spots were / are an issue.

It was due to me using oolite sand in a smaller tank. The gyre was too much for the sand. I got sucked into the look of it instead of the functionality.
Lesson learned and I went with speacial grade on this new build. I have 2 maxspect 350s going at 50% and no sand issues.

 

[Ziggy17]

If you decide to adjust your pumps' positioning and need some help dialing them in, feel free to hit me up or pop on over to my thread and I or the #Heathens will get you sorted out.

appreciate the offer and I’ll likely take you up on it.

 

[Freenow54]

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.

It all depends on the type of Coral. Some like very little some like a lot light is the same. To get an idea since this is not my expertise but experience go to a site called Candy Corals in Mississauga Ontario Canada. They list their coral with care , light, and flow requirements. I used to use power heads but no longer. Between my return pump flow from my sump . The flow from my Fluval Canister filter . Also a new addition a Marineland water polisher that really cleans the water as well as provides flow . I found the power heads added too much flow. I have three brand new in my spares box . My tank is a 100 gallon.

 

[Freenow54]

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!

Spoil Sport just when it was getting interesting