How much of an impact does flow have on keeping your glass clean?

[authentic]

I have two tanks on the same system,150 DT and 30 frag tank,,,less flow in the frag tank and I have to clean the glass more often. ,flow or something else? Frag is acrylic

 

[exnisstech]

Not sure about your situation but flow doesn't seem to matter in my tanks. I have 3 systems running and need to clean the glass on all 3 every other day and really should be every day but I'm a bit lazy. My reefer 300 is 36x24x24 inches and I have two MP40s, two mp10s, and two Nero 5 in there and still have to clean the glass as often as the other two.
Maybe lighting has something to do with it? I have quite a bit of lighting on all 3 tanks so I can't say what less would do.

 

[mfinn]

I don't seem to see a difference with high flow or low flow on my front glass.
I have a pair of MP40's that I turn up the flow for a few days that pushes flow down the front of the tank, then back down. The film builds up pretty much the same.

 

[Mr. Roboto]

I dont think flow has anything to do with the glass, nutrients maybe but not flow.

 

[JayM]

I've wondered the same thing.

I'm actually thinking about a little experiment now that my water parameters are really stable.

It takes about a month for the algae on my back glass to become really apparent that it's there.

My thought is to remove one of my return nozzles and replace it with a DIY "spray bar" that spans the length of the tank with a couple dozen holes drilled into it so that it pushes water top down across the rear glass, then see what the glass looks like in a month.

My guess is it won't help much, if at all, but if I can find some time I'll give it a go.

 

[jason2459]

I find lighting affects the glass much more then flow. I always get a shorter light then tank length to reduce glass exposure and cleanings. And I will angle the lights in so front glass doesn't get as much light.