Gyres vs. Wavemakers

[gabelex14]

Ive had a 75 gallon mixed reef that's been up and running for about 8 months. Before the tank was set up I researched for about 6 months prior to that. In the last month I've had some issues with torches but my SPS
Coral are doing great.

One thing I've noticed is that very few tanks seems to be running gyre wavemakers. It's completely anecdotal but I see a lot more puck style wavemakers and I'm curious if that's because of the laminar type flow that gyres make.

My assumption is that the reason my torches are struggling because of too much direct flow that is hitting the fleshband. No matter how I adjust the flow rate or direct the gyre pump the middle of my tank seems to be getting blasted more than other parts. And some of the torches that are towards the end of the tanks have a healthy fleshband. And even more interesting I have a small hammer garden that have fantastic PE and fleshbands, however they're shielded from flow by rock and dense stylophora.

I'm thinking that I've I remove the gyre and add a couple AI Nero's at different heights on the same side it would get rid of the sheet of flow that's pummeling the middle of the tank where torches are struggling.

Curious what response lll be getting

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Personally I love gyres if the tank is large enough. I think the only one disadvantage is the size, they are huge compared to the puck styles

 

[BryanM]

I think there are plenty of both out there, I prefer gyres myself.

 

[areefer01]

One thing I've noticed is that very few tanks seems to be running gyre wavemakers.

This would be a false assumption on your part.

I'm curious if that's because of the laminar type flow that gyres make.

Powerheads are tools and as the saying goes there is a right tool for the job. Yes, you can use any hammer to sink a nail but there is a reason we have several to choose from. Likewise the nail.

 

[gabelex14]

One thing I've noticed is that very few tanks seems to be running gyre wavemakers.

This would be a false assumption on your part.

I'm curious if that's because of the laminar type flow that gyres make.

Powerheads are tools and as the saying goes there is a right tool for the job. Yes, you can use any hammer to sink a nail but there is a reason we have several to choose from. Likewise the nail.

If you read the post with any comprehension you'd know I said my observation was anecdotal

 

[docscorals]

I actually use both in one of my tanks and just changed up there orientations when I reset my tank. I have to say, my corals haven’t looked healthier since I made this change. I have two puck style power heads on the back wall about a third of the way in on each tank, and I oriented two gyres vertically at either end of the tank around the middle vertically.

I am getting some amazing random flow using a combination of powerhead styles and as I said, my corals haven’t looked happier or healthier in terms of growth, color, and polyp extension compared to when I just used gyres. I’m not saying adding in the puck style was the answer it was just adding in a new tool and changing up the flow to something better. Like someone says, there all tools you have to use to get that best result.

 

[Gregg @ ADP]

I prefer gyres because there is a wider distribution of flow. You can add to that by putting them horizontally, vertically, both, at an angle, all of the above, etc.

The number one thing we need to remember with reefing is that everything has its place, and that place often is not everywhere in the tank. Some zones are better for X, some zones are better for Y, some zones are better for Z. You do not have homogenous light, flow, etc, so place things accordingly.

 

[areefer01]

If you read the post with any comprehension you'd know I said my observation was anecdotal

Assumptions get you every time...

 

[gabelex14]

If you read the post with any comprehension you'd know I said my observation was anecdotal

Assumptions get you every time...

Not really

 

[design.maddie]

I have used a variety of wavemakers and I currently have a pair of gyres and I am so happy with their ability compared to anything else I have used. This is on a 90 gallon tank. I wouldn't expect the same enjoyment if they were on my old 60gallon cube. I enjoy how high in the water column I can get them. I don't know if all gyres have this feature but my pumps have a reverse pull so it can help the other side push and quickly change the direction of the flow in the tank without needing a ton of force. Really neat stuff.

 

[MichaelReefer]

I tried Gyres for a bit and didnt like them. I switched to AI Nero 5s. I have had them over five years and they're still going just fine. I clean them once or twice a year.

 

[DmitryB]

I'm setting up a 170. I bought a RedSea WaveMaker and I have it pointing forward-up, to get the surface moving. I think it's perfect for that, covers almost the whole width of the tank. And then I have an MP60 and an Orca to cover the middle of the tank.