VCA Random Flow Generator vs Wave maker???

kLoRRn · Jul 13, 2023

Reefing_TM_Style said:
Oh absolutely it'll be a fun project! A little advice, try and make sure both of the lok lines have the same bent between each knuckle. That will make sure you have even flow coming out of both nozzles. Say you're looking at the side of the tank and the chambers are to the right.. aim the one line and nozzle so it shoots down the side of the glass and the other line I would point the nozzle a little bit downwards and towards the back left corner if that makes any sense. Those nozzles are designed in a way that you will see VCA etched into the side of the nozzle, make sure they are pointed directly upwards to the surface of the water as if you were looking down over top and you can read VCA. It's kind of the way they're designed so you can get proper randomization out of them. I'll check in tomorrow and see how you're making out. Kind of like this if you can see in the photo.

I was able to add the pump yesterday and I love it. I have the perfect shimmer in the tank. The clowns did not like it at first but I found them to be swimming around perfectly now; if anything I almost notice them playing in the flow rather than sitting on the back wall. Only issue so far is my Xenia shriveled up. I’m gonna give it another day before I move it to a new location but hopefully they are just adjusting

Vivid Creative Aquatics · Oct 2, 2023

@kLoRRn Sorry I missed this thread - glad you where abel to get what you need and get a good pump to drive the Random Flow Generator. Did you go with the single 1/2in or the dual 1/4in kit? And, (not sure if it missed it) what return pump did you upgrade to?

Raul'O · Dec 12, 2024

Salty_Northerner said:
I had the same tank and you want to grab the sicca syncra 1.0 return pump or for under 20 bucks the vivosun return pump
Personally if I had to do it again id just grab the Vivosun pump because its cheaper and there is no noticeable difference in flow. Plus the Vivosun you wont have to wrestle it in the return chamber like the Sicca pump. Its whisper quiet and just works great! As for the RFG from VCA its a no brain er. Just get the VCA RFG kit for the Fluval tank and your rocking!
https://vividcreativeaquatics.com/s...k-return-line-upgrade-kit-1-2in-to-1-4in-rfg/The RFG's work amazingly well in the Fluval and you wont regret it. ;)

I bought the sicca syncra 0.5 return pum, which indeed, had to wrestle to set it in the chamber, and just ordered the Dual 1/4in Flex-Series RFG, do you think I will be short in flow? since I got a smaller pump, or should I buy a wave maker to compliment it? I was thinking about the Jebao MLW-5.

Vivid Creative Aquatics · Dec 12, 2024

Raul'O said:
I bought the sicca syncra 0.5 return pum, which indeed, had to wrestle to set it in the chamber, and just ordered the Dual 1/4in Flex-Series RFG, do you think I will be short in flow? since I got a smaller pump, or should I buy a wave maker to compliment it? I was thinking about the Jebao MLW-5.

If you can wiat, I would try it out with just the flow kit and the pump you got.

Depending on what sort of tank you have planned, that pumpnl with that flow kit can sometimes be sufficient.

I would also suggest, if you have the means, to replace the stock pipe that connects the pump to the elbow. You may find one with a slightly larger inner diameter that can help to supply better flow to the outlet.

Raul'O · Dec 14, 2024

Vivid Creative Aquatics said:
If you can wiat, I would try it out with just the flow kit and the pump you got.

Depending on what sort of tank you have planned, that pumpnl with that flow kit can sometimes be sufficient.

I would also suggest, if you have the means, to replace the stock pipe that connects the pump to the elbow. You may find one with a slightly larger inner diameter that can help to supply better flow to the outle

What the pipe size would you recommend? Im planning to get couple fish and soft corals, and if there's a chance some LPS or SPS depending on which ones catch my eye

Vivid Creative Aquatics · Dec 14, 2024

Raul'O said:
What the pipe size would you recommend? Im planning to get couple fish and soft corals, and if there's a chance some LPS or SPS depending on which ones catch my eye

the larger the better - I want with ha 1/2in ID silicone hose. it was slightly larger than the one that came with our Fluval Evo Spec V tank a few years ago when we set it up. But in general - I like to increase the diameter of the supply hose.

You can usual go larger than the stock hose and then use a small section of the stock hose as a sort of junction between the stock fitting and the new larger hose. You 'll just need to figure out the OD of the stock hose, and then find one that can fit over it.

Raul'O · Dec 16, 2024

Vivid Creative Aquatics said:
the larger the better - I want with ha 1/2in ID silicone hose. it was slightly larger than the one that came with our Fluval Evo Spec V tank a few years ago when we set it up. But in general - I like to increase the diameter of the supply hose.

You can usual go larger than the stock hose and then use a small section of the stock hose as a sort of junction between the stock fitting and the new larger hose. You 'll just need to figure out the OD of the stock hose, and then find one that can fit over it.

Sorry but I don't understand quite well, what you me is to get a bigger size hose so that the original pipe goes inside? what about the elbow? can I use the same one or need to change it too? I can see the sicce silent pump can host a bigger hose in the same outlet I have it now with the original one but where would I concentrate it to? I installed the RFG already, but I think you are right it needs more flow, I endue up setting in in three parts, the biggest adapter that chame with the RFG (part MHA2122050) plugged to the elbow that comes from the pump, then the stock fitting that used to go into the nozzles or loc line and the 1/2 adapter that I ended up plugging to the RFG itself, I don't know if that makes any sense lol, I measured the current hose that came with the two pump which is about 12-14mm diameter im thinking its 1/2 (here's a pic), so there's where I get confuse on a bigger size hose, I don't know which size would be perfect.

Vivid Creative Aquatics · Dec 16, 2024

Raul'O said:
Sorry but I don't understand quite well, what you me is to get a bigger size hose so that the original pipe goes inside? what about the elbow? can I use the same one or need to change it too? I can see the sicce silent pump can host a bigger hose in the same outlet I have it now with the original one but where would I concentrate it to? I installed the RFG already, but I think you are right it needs more flow, I endue up setting in in three parts, the biggest adapter that chame with the RFG (part MHA2122050) plugged to the elbow that comes from the pump, then the stock fitting that used to go into the nozzles or loc line and the 1/2 adapter that I ended up plugging to the RFG itself, I don't know if that makes any sense lol, I measured the current hose that came with the two pump which is about 12-14mm diameter im thinking its 1/2 (here's a pic), so there's where I get confuse on a bigger size hose, I don't know which size would be perfect.

based on that photo, I would say you good to go then - we setup our Fluval a long time ago (its been up and running for at least 4 years) and at that time it came with smaller diameter hoses.

With that said , anytime you can increase the hose size it will work out better.