Playing around with Gyre placement and flow patterns

[Ziggy17]

Hey all,

So I currently have a 36x22x22 tank running 1 maxspect 330 horizontally from left to right. Works great. However for my new build 48x25x22, I’ve purchased 2 Maxspect 350 clouds. I’ve started taking a real interest on SPS, so want the added flow. Rock scape are two islands on each end about 12x16” and a sand level zoa garden rock in the middle.

My question is; Has anyone really played around with various 2 gyre pump setups, and found one they liked best? Meaning vertical vs horizontal , back version side.
See attached photo.
I’m considering A and D as per the diagram.

Let me know your experience.

Cheers.
Zig.

 

[eggie]

Ill Say try A first and look at the SPS polyps they like to get blast in pulse way
D will definitely blow your sand IMO

 

[whitecloud]

I currently have an ‘A’ setup. I also have a Nero 5 on random in the middle where your overflow is to mix things up.

During the day I have one orbit run at 50%, while the other is at 5%, then every 20 minutes they switch. That way none of the corals are blasted all day. Seems to work quite well, decent coral growth and color and minimal blowing sand issues. I also turn the side nearer the back of the tank to point lower in the tank and the side closer to the front I have pointed toward to top of the water for surface agitation.

I do want to try your ‘D’ diagram sometime, but I worry it might blow the sand around too much.

 

[The Gas Man]

Are the gyre pumps worth it? The reviews on them seem mixed. I’m getting ready to buy some Powerheads for my new set up. Thanks.

 

[whitecloud]

I am using the Aqua Illumination (AI) Orbit 4, which is a gyre style wavemaker. I went with those due to the ability to be controlled with Mobius and Apex, as I am fully in that ecosystem.

These pumps do require some frequent cleaning. Cleaning is not too bad, but harder than other pumps as there are more parts and areas to clean. If you don’t clean them, you can flow decrease over time.

The I think the gyre flow has really made the ability to get the needed ‘sheets’ of flow to maintain SPS.

I am happy with them.

 

[Reef Jedi]

I am using the Aqua Illumination (AI) Orbit 4, which is a gyre style wavemaker. I went with those due to the ability to be controlled with Mobius and Apex, as I am fully in that ecosystem.

These pumps do require some frequent cleaning. Cleaning is not too bad, but harder than other pumps as there are more parts and areas to clean. If you don’t clean them, you can flow decrease over time.

The I think the gyre flow has really made the ability to get the needed ‘sheets’ of flow to maintain SPS.

I am happy with them.

I second this, I run two in the D configuration for my peninsula tank. They are very powerful and can move some serious water especially after a good cleaning. I do get sand blown around but it’s a trade off with the flow. I also alternate mine so it creates a mixed flow pattern that’s random.

 

[Ziggy17]

Great feedback. I like the flatness A offers, and it’s what I’m used to, but the D looks appealing as well. I went with special grade sand this time, the oolite was a disaster. I spent more time moving sand back and blowing off coral with a turkey baster than anything else. Looked great but terrible functionality. Lesson learned.

I might even try D with my fX330 mounted at the overflow box to create some turbulence in the middle 1/3 of the box.

 

[Ziggy17]

Are the gyre pumps worth it? The reviews on them seem mixed. I’m getting ready to buy some Powerheads for my new set up. Thanks.

I love mine. The only caveat were the 330s had impeller issues. I think when you run them in true gyre, which is a blast forward and then 5 seconds of reverse, it was causing increased wear. I’ve since stop using the reverse option. Also, taking them apart and cleaning was fine, but when you put everything back, it took some time to get the impellers perfectly aligned so it was quiet again.

I read the new 350s are pretty bullet proof, easier to clean, and you can control via the Syna G app. So lots of ability to play around

 

[Ziggy17]

Ill Say try A first and look at the SPS polyps they like to get blast in pulse way
D will definitely blow your sand IMO

Yeah, agreed A is a good starting point. With a third out of the overflow box :)

 

[Ziggy17]

I currently have an ‘A’ setup. I also have a Nero 5 on random in the middle where your overflow is to mix things up.

During the day I have one orbit run at 50%, while the other is at 5%, then every 20 minutes they switch. That way none of the corals are blasted all day. Seems to work quite well, decent coral growth and color and minimal blowing sand issues. I also turn the side nearer the back of the tank to point lower in the tank and the side closer to the front I have pointed toward to top of the water for surface agitation.

I do want to try your ‘D’ diagram sometime, but I worry it might blow the sand around too much.

Very cool

 

[Submerge]

Hey all,

So I currently have a 36x22x22 tank running 1 maxspect 330 horizontally from left to right. Works great. However for my new build 48x25x22, I’ve purchased 2 Maxspect 350 clouds. I’ve started taking a real interest on SPS, so want the added flow. Rock scape are two islands on each end about 12x16” and a sand level zoa garden rock in the middle.

My question is; Has anyone really played around with various 2 gyre pump setups, and found one they liked best? Meaning vertical vs horizontal , back version side.
See attached photo.
I’m considering A and D as per the diagram.

Let me know your experience.

Cheers.
Zig.

Thx for the diagram, I have that saved. Easier to explain it with pictures.

I just installed my first gyre as 1/2 of A. Right side of tank on a 150G 5' x 24 x 24. I played around with it for a few hours and decided I needed a second. It will be here Wednesday and I can post up my findings.

C is essentially how I have my returns set up thru flow randomizer nozzles. I think B looks interesting since I can connect them via wifi and they can work in sine mode to pulse opposite. In theory that seems pretty good to me in conjunction with the returns that push like C.

I think it is going to be very tank, rockwork and sand dependent.