I feel like ChatGPT might be right?

[aus1230]

Here’s some photos of my 40 gallon long aquascape. I’ve always had issues with water flow and I can’t help but feel like there might just be too much rock in the middle with no gaps.
Is chat gpt right would I benefit from some flow between my rock scape? I’ve always struggled with build up in the back even when I’ve had a Nero 3 in the back.
I’m at a place where I’m okay with restarting the aquascape with the tank.

 

[tbrown]

Do you only have the two powerheads/wavemakers in the tank and the return?

If so, all the flow is going one direction through the tank. Adding a third powerhead or moving one of the two to the other end can help move the flow through the tank. One towards the front on the left and one towards the back on the right will allow the flow to go through the whole tank better.

Also, removing the lateral flow and making it more of a circular or adding some randomness will help decrease the amount of dead spots in the tank.

 

[tbrown]

@Fish Styx anything else you can think of?

 

[aus1230]

Hey t brown. I’ve switched wavemaker positions a few times. Ive had them as you directed before. Still had issues with the flow in the back. As of now I put the two Nero’s in the front and the orbit in the back.

 

[tbrown]

Another option with two Neros: put them both in the back but on opposite sides of the tank aimed at each other. Place one two or three inches lower in the tank. That'll creat some turbulence and help move the water more around and through the rockwork. Add the Orbit in the front an inch or two off the front glass. That'll help create some circular flow through the tank and add the turbulence/randomness towards the middle of the tank where the flow is mostly dead.

 

[Fish Styx]

A 2nd gyre instead of the Nero with one mounted vertically in the corner and the other mounted horizontally near the top on the opposite side will give you the flow and turbulence you need, IMO.

 

[aus1230]

A 2nd gyre instead of the Nero with one mounted vertically in the corner and the other mounted horizontally near the top on the opposite side will give you the flow and turbulence you need, IMO.

If I’m not looking to spend any money then would you suggest rescaping?

I’m assuming you’re suggesting another gyre because it’s in a 40 gallon long and how my rock work is scaped?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

IMO its not too much rock at all, I have about the same about in my 40 breeder. My tank has the return flow, plus 2 gyres plus jebao powerhead behind the rocks, I'm going to add another behind the rocks on the opposite side. Nero 3 is not that strong, I have it in my 32 gallon at 100%, I feel you can add more flow, or upgrade your existing powerheads. I like your rock work a lot I think it would be a shame to change it, the AI recommended rockwork of 3 piles looks silly to me, when I look at pictures of reefs I've never seen 3 piles like that. Just my 2 cents good luck

 

[aus1230]

IMO its not too much rock at all, I have about the same about in my 40 breeder. My tank has the return flow, plus 2 gyres plus jebao powerhead behind the rocks, I'm going to add another behind the rocks on the opposite side. Nero 3 is not that strong, I have it in my 32 gallon at 100%, I feel you can add more flow, or upgrade your existing powerheads. I like your rock work a lot I think it would be a shame to change it, the AI recommended rockwork of 3 piles looks silly to me, when I look at pictures of reefs I've never seen 3 piles like that. Just my 2 cents good luck

Soooooo you think I probably need some more power heads? I’ll try and find some used Nero’s I suppose it would in fact be a shame to change my rock work or break down this tank.

 

[ScottJ]

I don't have any suggestions about the flow, but I like your rock work as is. The Chat version looks like all the other 'newfangled aquascaped-tank of the day' crap you see on the utubes (I don't do insta face...)

Yours looks like a natural reef.

 

[BeanAnimal]

ChatGPT doesn’t know anything about flow or fluid dynamics, it just puts words together that fit what was asked. Ask it why three towers is bad and it will confidently tell you that your linear scape is better.

You decided you needed more flow and it supported your idea, it’s a happy word pleasing machine.

Do you need more flow? No idea but a 40 is not a large tank and you have several flow devices already. There are always going to be low flow zones of spots where opposing flow allows detritus to settle. Fish like low flow areas sometimes too.