That is exactly what I wanted to do, I got all excited about it. Truth is it works like a charm...however, I purchased the bigger pumps and they blow my sand too much. I was about to take one of the blades off and run them like that. But, running exactly as you stated is pretty good and would have continued to do so if it didn't blow the sand to crap. To be honest, I was super frustrated, but with patience I may be able to make it work...right now I have only one on horizontally and that doesn't blow my sand like crazy. I actually have it below the shadow return, so its like half way down the side...still creates the gyre. I am actually impressed with the pumps. I don't have anything bad to say about them.I'm in the same boat regarding the far end of my new peninsula. I'm wondering if I have 2 gyres setup vertically to push water clockwise around the tank, stop, and then reverse to push water counterclockwise that would work.